Scotland vs Wales LIVE rugby: Result and reaction from Six Nations as hosts hold on after Welsh fightback
Scotland 35-29 Wales: The hosts looked to be streaking away to a big win before a frantic second half turnaround
Scotland survived a fierce Welsh comeback to get back to winning ways in the Six Nations with a 35-29 success at Murrayfield.
Showcasing their vibrant, varied attacking game, the hosts surged to a first-half bonus point and looked to be on their way to a sizeable scoreline when Blair Kinghorn continued the rout with his second try early in the second half. But Wales, enduring a tough evening defensively, found new life thereafter, scoring twice to narrow the margin, and would have come closer still had Taulupe Faletau’s try in the final minutes not been disallowed. As it was, Max Llewellyn’s try, the centre’s first for Wales, in the throes snatched two bonus points.
The contest bore striking similarities to last year’s clash in Cardiff, when Wales roared back from the same deficit to within a point of a remarkable comeback. But while there was plenty to encourage Matt Sherratt again the long losing run extends to 16 matches for the Welsh as they prepare to host England on the final weekend. Scotland, meanwhile, will hope to deny France the title in Paris in the denouement to Super Saturday.
Re-live all of the action from Murrayfield in our live blog below:
Scotland 14-3 Wales, 18 minutes
Now, it seems they are looking at possible eye gouge from Thomas on Duhan van der Merwe. The hand is up in his face - and the fingers are around the sockets. The Wales inside centre could be in trouble...
Scotland 14-3 Wales, 17 minutes
Ooh. So nearly something nice from Wales, Ben Thomas slotted through a hole cutting a devastating line on Elliot Dee’s shoulder after a neat move at the tail of a lineout. Alas, the hooker’s toss is a few feet forward.
Hold on, though - TMO Eric Gauzins wants a look at something. It’s foul play by Thomas. Hmm...
Scotland 14-3 Wales, 16 minutes
They can always rely on Jac Morgan, though - Max Llewellyn holds the runner up and the Welsh captain rips the ball free with effortless strength. A decent clearance allows Wales a degree of respite.
And on this occasion, Wales get their ruck contest spot on. They are going so, so hard in that area, and Elliot Dee’s work gets the approving whistle of referee Andrea Piardi.
Scotland 14-3 Wales, 15 minutes
Wales can’t find a foothold. A soft penalty at a breakdown near halfway affords Scotland another territorial advancement after some good initial defence.
Scotland 14-3 Wales, 13 minutes
Smart from Blair Kinghorn, finding space in the Welsh backfield with a canny kick to settle Scotland after the restart.
It would appear that Tom Rogers’s day is done - the wing is having treatment on his wrist and Joe Roberts will be with us for the remainder, I think.
TRY! SCOTLAND 14-3 Wales (Tom Jordan, 12 minutes)
But attack they do! Another scintillating score!
It’s that old combo again, Duhan van der Merwe and Huw Jones so devastating in the wide channels. A fierce fend from the former creates space for the latter, and Jones finds his centre partner Tom Jordan on the inside for a simple run in. Another Finn Russell conversion and Murrayfield is bouncing!
Scotland 7-3 Wales, 10 minutes
An early wing change for Wales - but it’s not Mee! Tom Rogers is off for a head injury assessment, with Joe Roberts on. Max Llewellyn out to the wing? No, it looks like Roberts out there for now.
Scotland fluff their lines at the set-piece inside the Welsh 22 and will have to attack from deeper.
Scotland 7-3 Wales, 8 minutes
A bit of a worry for Wales as Ellis Mee appears to hurt himself in an aerial contest, but the wing limps back into position on the left flank as the passage goes on. Some neat handling from the forwards works it out to that touchline, with Jac Morgan ignoring Mee and ploughing up for a 10-metre gain.
But Pierre Schoeman and Jamie Ritchie combine for a turnover penalty. Excellent jackalling from the prop, particularly.
TRY! SCOTLAND 7-3 Wales (Blair Kinghorn, 6 minutes)
Away to the left Scotland sweep and Blair Kinghorn stomps in!
Superb! Finn Russell spreads it, Darcy Graham provides linking hands and then it is all about the pace and power of the full-back, striding past a couple of Welshman and planting emphatically in the corner.
Russell’s conversion looks rather similar to that which he had in the 80th minute at Twickenham...and this time, he’s on target. Scotland up and running in style.
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