Wales vs Scotland LIVE: Six Nations rugby result and score after Russell yellow card and Biggar drop-goal
Wales 20-17 Scotland: Follow live reaction as the hosts edged a Six Nations thriller in Cardiff to dent the visitors’ title hopes
Follow live reaction from the Six Nations as Wales defeated Scotland in a thrilling match in Cardiff to put a dent in the visitors’ title ambitions. The Scots arrived buoyed their opening win over England but were edged by a Wales side who were in need of a response following their heavy defeat to Ireland last weekend.
The match turned in the closing stages as Finn Russell was shown a yellow for a deliberate knock-on as Wales pushed for a winning try, with Dan Biggar opting for a drop-goal to move Wales into a 20-17 lead. Scotland, who were pushing for rare back-to-back wins to open the Six Nations, could not strike back as Wales ensured that they returned to winning ways in front of their own fans.
In the first half, Biggar kicked Wales into an early lead before Darcy Graham scored the opening try of the match as he finished in the corner from a Russell pass. Russell extended Scotland’s lead from the tee before Biggar cut the lead and then Tomas Francis powered over from a Wales lineout to level the scores at the break. There was little to separate the teams and it remained close after half-time, with Russell and Biggar exchanges penalties to set up a nervy finish at the Principality Stadium.
The crucial spell of the match came after Biggar’s long penalty effort hit the post and Wales stayed on the attack. Alex Cuthbert had a try in the corner overturned by the TMO before Russell’s yellow card was followed by Biggar’s drop-goal to seal a result that sets up a huge clash between France and Ireland later in the day in Paris.
Follow all the reaction from the Principality Stadium in the live blog below:
France 27-21 Ireland, 67 minutes
Is that a 50:22 from Tadhg Beirne? It is! What a kick from the lock, who is now stationed on the flank! France charge down the first kick from Ireland and it skews to Beirne, who pivots just inside his own half and thumps a left-footed kick in behind. He is such a skillful player, but that is a thing of territory-gaining beauty.
But Ireland’s lineout is stolen! France survive and clear.
France 27-21 Ireland, 66 minutes
The volume of the crowd at the Stade de France seems to have dropped just a little, readying themselves for the final fifteen minutes. Ireland force an error from Antoine Dupont at the base to win the ball back on halfway.
France 27-21 Ireland, 63 minutes
France come in at the side of the maul. Penalty to Ireland.
Here come two more of the experienced Irish closers - Robbie Henshaw and Conor Murray replace Bundee Aki and Jamison Gibson-Park.
France 27-21 Ireland, 62 minutes
It isn’t! There is no clear change of line from Beirne, who is turning to chase after the ball as he holds his ground. It’ll just be an Irish lineout.
France 27-21 Ireland, 62 minutes
The game has begun to open up again. For the first time all day, really, Ireland’s set-piece strike move presents itself perfectly, and Mack Hansen nearly scythes through on the outside.
But France win the ball back, and play to the right. Antoine Dupont chips over the top of Tadhg Beirne and hits the deck after running into Beirne’s rump. Is that a block?
France 27-21 Ireland, 60 minutes
Melvyn Jaminet thumps long and Ireland run the ball back, Garry Ringrose weaving, ducking, weaving some more, but unable to find space.
Andrew Porter is handled decisively, but France knock-on at the breakdown. What can Ireland do with advantage? Plenty! Ringrose skips out of a tackle and offloads to Iain Henderson, who in turn finds Jamison Gibson-Park.
The scrum-half is flattened as he toes ahead, but Josh van der Flier is after it. He pressures Antoine Dupont, but the scrum-half goes past the flanker with typical casual ease and elegance.
France 27-21 Ireland, 58 minutes
Nearly for Ireland! France get themselves in a muddle and an errant pass falls to the Stade de France turf, but James Ryan’s greasy hands can’t grasp the ball cleanly.
Another change for Ireland, who have such experience at their disposal on the bench - Iain Henderson hasn’t played much of late but is now fully fit, and enters the fray ahead of the French scrum.
France 27-21 Ireland, 56 minutes
Jamison Gibson-Park tries another of those dummies but this time Francois Cros has him squarely in his sights, chopping a great lumberjack’s axe through his midriff to cut him down.
France again counter-ruck well, and Melvyn Jaminet launches a spiral kick. Hugo Keenan covers superbly and returns with good length.
France 27-21 Ireland, 56 minutes
France have begun to ring the changes - Romain Taofifenua and Thibaud Flament form an all-new second row and were on before that score; in the immediate aftermath they are joined by forward colleagues Peato Mauvaka, Jean-Baptiste Gros and Demba Bamba as Fabien Galthie goes to an all-new tight five.
“Allez Les Bleus” is the cry of the crowd as they pack down for their first scrum. Peter O’Mahony has replaced Jack Conan, with Caelan Doris shifting over to number eight for Ireland.
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