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:
Wales team news
Wales boss Matt Sherratt makes even fewer alterations. The same 15 men who ran out against Ireland will do so again at Murrayfield, with Nicky Smith and WillGriff John once more the starting props having gone very well a fortnight ago, and Jac Morgan and Tommy Reffell continuing on the flanks. There is welcome, and significant, injury on the bench, though, with hooker Dewi Lake set for a return from a bicep injury and providing a big boost.
Wales XV: 1 Nicky Smith, 2 Elliot Dee, 3 WillGriff John; 4 Will Rowlands, 5 Dafydd Jenkins; 6 Jac Morgan (capt.), 7 Tommy Reffell, 8 Taulupe Faletau; 9 Tomos Williams, 10 Gareth Anscombe; 11 Ellis Mee, 12 Ben Thomas, 13 Max Llewellyn, 14 Tom Rogers; 15 Blair Murray.
Replacements: 16 Dewi Lake, 17 Gareth Thomas, 18 Keiron Assiratti, 19 Teddy Williams, 20 Aaron Wainwright; 21 Rhodri Williams, 22 Jarrod Evans, 23 Joe Roberts.
Scotland team news
Darcy Graham returns from a head injury on the wing for Scotland with Gregor Townsend otherwise keeping faith with the starting side that came so close against England a fortnight ago. Graham had feared his tournament over after a nasty clash of heads with Finn Russell during the Ireland defeat but replaces Kyle Rowe, who drops to a slightly tweaked bench, in the back three.
Scotland XV: 1 Pierre Schoeman, 2 Dave Cherry, 3 Zander Fagerson; 4 Jonny Gray, 5 Grant Gilchrist; 6 Jamie Ritchie, 7 Rory Darge (co-capt.), 8 Jack Dempsey; 9 Ben White, 10 Finn Russell (co-capt.); 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 12 Tom Jordan, 13 Huw Jones, 14 Darcy Graham; 15 Blair Kinghorn.
Replacements: 16 Ewan Ashman, 17 Rory Sutherland, 18 Will Hurd, 19 Gregor Brown, 20 Matt Fagerson; 21 George Horne, 22 Stafford McDowall, 23 Kyle Rowe.
Six Nations talking points: Murrayfield a happy hunting ground
Wales’ 35-7 defeat against Scotland on their last Edinburgh visit two years ago was something of an anomaly when it comes to Six Nations results. Prior to that, Wales had won seven and drawn one from 11 Murrayfield encounters in the Six Nations, including a run of four successive away victories that saw the Scots frozen out between 2009 and 2015. Wales’ overall Six Nations record in the fixture shows a success-rate approaching 70 per cent, which will encourage the thousands of Wales supporters travelling north. Scotland, meanwhile, will claim a first hat-trick of Six Nations wins against Wales if they triumph.
Six Nations talking points: Captain Morgan leads from the front
Wales have been good, bad and atrocious during this season’s Six Nations, but skipper Jac Morgan has excelled whatever the circumstances. Official player statistics after three rounds of action have him ranked among the top six in four different categories – carries, tackles made, attacking ruck arrivals and defensive ruck arrivals – with his performance level never dropping. He is a player who sets a stirring example to those around him.
Six Nations talking points: Finn Russell still a huge threat
Conduct a poll among Wales fans of the Scotland player they fear most, then Russell would unquestionably be a runaway winner. The Scots ooze talent in their back division, and Bath fly-half Russell remains the figure that controls all those moving parts. He was widely criticised for his goalkicking display during Scotland’s 16-15 Calcutta Cup loss to England, yet there were more than enough opportunities elsewhere for the Scots to have won that game. On his day, Russell is box-office, and Wales will be on red alert to shut down his time and space at every opportunity.
Six Nations talking points: Can Wales back up Ireland display?
Sherratt and his players will be eager to show that the Ireland game was not a one-off. Wales began life after Warren Gatland in a way few people thought possible, leading Ireland 18-10 at one stage as long-suffering supporters finally had something to shout about. There was an ambition, creativity and freshness about Wales’ play, whereas for much of the 14 Tests before it, desolation and despair were the overriding emotions. One swallow does not make a summer, of course, and the challenge now is to not only build on that but find a way across the finishing line.
Six Nations talking points: Scotland under huge pressure
Gregor Townsend’s team went into the Six Nations rated by many as title dark horses, but they have so far proved to be several furlongs off the pace. Following losses to Ireland and England, they now host a Wales side revitalised by Sherratt. Grand Slam-chasing Ireland might have toppled them 27-18 in Cardiff, but they were given a monumental fright as Wales produced their best performance for almost 18 months. Scotland have never finished higher than third in the Six Nations, and a spluttering campaign will fizzle out if Wales claim a seventh win from the last nine Murrayfield visits.
Ireland vs France LIVE
And the action is just getting underway in Dublin - this should be a doozy. Do follow along here on another tab as we continue our build-up to our early evening fare:
Ireland vs France LIVE rugby: Latest build-up and updates from Six Nations
Ireland and France’s contrasting styles create captivating Six Nations title showdown
The old adage of styles making fights rings true when it comes to meetings between Ireland and France. Across these last few years, at a time when the strength and depth of the championship have perhaps never been better, these pair have stood apart as Six Nations heavyweights; their annual ding-dongs almost invariably decisive to the destination of the title.
The mathematics may not be totally straightforward – England harbour faint hopes – but come Saturday afternoon, these two will crouch in their corners as the reigning, defending, history-chasing champions and a No 1 contender so capable of dealing a knockout blow. After 80 exhausting, exhilarating minutes, just one will be left standing.
Ireland and France’s contrasting styles create captivating Six Nations title showdown
Ben Thomas: We want to get people excited about Welsh rugby again
Ben Thomas says that Wales’ focus for people to “fall back in love with Welsh rugby” will continue when they resume their Six Nations campaign against Scotland today.
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