Scotland v Wales LIVE rugby: Six Nations 2023 score and result as Finn Russell masterclass leads to record win

Scotland 35-7 Wales: Finn Russell’s inspirational performance leads Scotland to a record home win over Wales

Six Nations week one round-up: England struggle as Ireland make statement

Finn Russell ran the show as Scotland blitzed Wales 35-7 at Murrayfield to kick off a Six Nations campaign with back-to-back victories for the first time.

The Racing 92 stand-off was at his magnificent best as he laid three of his side’s five tries on a plate for his team-mates and was also heavily involved in another.

Wales, who had won on six of their previous seven visits to Edinburgh, made things tough for Gregor Townsend’s team in the first half, but it was one-way traffic after the break as the hosts notched 22 points without reply to back up their Calcutta Cup victory in style and claim the Doddie Weir Cup.

Relive the Six Nations clash below:

Scotland vs Wales - Six Nations updates

• Scotland thrash Wales 35-7 in Round 2 of the 2023 Six Nations
• Finn Russell inspires the Scots to a record home win over Wales to thrust themselves into title contention
• Ireland beat France earlier in Round 2 as best two teams in the world play out thriller
• FULL-TIME! Scotland 35-7 Wales
• 78’ - TRY! Another Russell assist as Fagerson goes over (SCO 35-7 WAL)
• 71’ - TRY! Kinghorn finishes off great team move including Russell kick and Van Der Merwe overhand pass (SCO 30-7 WAL)
• 58’ - TRY! Steyn socres second try after catching Russell’s cross-field kick (SCO 25-7 WAL)
• 51’ - TRY! Magic Russell offload frees Steyn for the score in the corner (SCO 20-7 WAL)
• 35’ - TRY! Owens rumbles over from a maul after Turner sin-bin (SCO 13-7 WAL)
• 30’ - TRY! Turner powers over off the back of a maul (SCO 13-0 WAL)
• 15’ - PENALTY! Russell chips a second penalty as Scotland turn possession into points (SCO 6-0 WAL)

[11 February 2023 12:53 · Luke Baker]

Potential Six Nations title decider? Ireland versus France talking points

The world’s top two nations collide on Saturday when Ireland host France in a blockbuster Guinness Six Nations match in Dublin.

Andy Farrell’s hosts launched their campaign with an emphatic 34-10 win in Wales, while Les Bleus were less convincing in scraping past Italy 29-24.

Here, the PA news agency picks out some of the main talking points ahead of a mouthwatering Aviva Stadium encounter.

[11 February 2023 12:42 · Luke Baker]

World No1 Ireland face Six Nations champions France in a collision of rugby superpowers

Frank Sinatra’s first (and only) freelance photography assignment came at Madison Square Garden on 8 March 1971, writes Harry Latham-Coyle. It was the night of the first encounter between Joe Frazier and Muhammad Ali and, finding ringside tickets rather hard to come by, the singer sought commission from Life magazine to ensure the perfect view.

You somehow doubt Sinatra would have had quite so much difficulty finding a seat at the Aviva Stadium this weekend but Ireland vs France might just have tickled Sinatra’s fancy, were he still around. Rugby’s “Fight of the Century”? That would be overstating it, but the circumstances make this heavyweight clash an appropriate occasion for the sort of pomp this championship does best.

It is a long while since two of the Six Nations could attest to rule the men’s rugby realm but in Ireland and France the northern hemisphere has two pre-eminent powers entering this World Cup year. In the blue corner, the defending grand slam champions on a 14-match unbeaten run. In the green, the top-ranked team in the world hunting a significant step on their own title pursuit.

Read Harry’s full preview:

[11 February 2023 12:34 · Luke Baker]

Ireland vs France - Six Nations

Welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of Ireland vs France to kick off Round 2 of the 2023 Six Nations.

Ireland and France are going to head to head today in a potentially decisive Six Nations encounter as the world’s No 1 ranked side host the reigning champions in Dublin.

Both sides won their opening games as France edged Italy and Ireland thrashed Wales, and the match-up between Fabien Galthie’s 2022 Grand Slam winners and Andy Farrell’s in-form Irish is being touted as one that could dictate who clinches the 2023 Six Nations title.

The Aviva Stadium is sold out for the visit of Les Bleus as they attempt to end Ireland’s stunning record of 18 victories from their past 19 home Tests.

Stick with us as we bring you updates of the action from Dublin