Here’s Michael Aylwin’s report from Murrayfield.
That is all from me over here, but do come and join me over here where kick-off between Ireland and France is just over 10 minutes away.
Full time! Scotland 29-13 Wales
A superb victory for Scotland. They began the second half so brightly, scored two excellent tries and defended resolutely, Wales unable to score a point in the second half. It’s Scotland’s first win over Wales in 10 attempts.
Russell was superb, Watson made a mockery of the fact that he didn’t start whereas Wales, impressive in the first half, were poor in the second.
Scotland are very much in the hunt for the Championship after two wins from three now and will go to Twickenham full of confidence in two weeks’ time. Next stop: Dublin. Join me for Ireland v France …
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80 mins: Webb puts in and then has a run himself. Jonathan Davies takes it up on the left. But Scotland turn it over - Dunbar I believe, and that’s all she wrote.
79 mins: Scotland are keeping the ball with the forwards on halfway. Wales are sticking to the task, and they’ve managed to win another scrum.
77 mins: Liam Williams goes for the interception but it’s a knock-on and it’ll be another Scotland scrum. They won’t be in a hurry to get it over and done with.
76 mins: Russell finds a booming touch and will have a lineout halfway in the Welsh half. Barclay takes it - he’s been excellent today.
75 mins: He can’t get away though. Wales still have it on the Scotland 22. Tipuric pumps his legs to make a couple of yards. But Watson gets over the ball and forces the turnover. I have absolutely no idea why he didn’t start but he’s been fantastic since he came on.
74 mins: Wales win it back from their restart again - Scotland aren’t making things easy for themselves but Visser intercepts, then so does North!
Penalty! Scotland 29-13 Wales (Russell)
73 mins: It’s a hard kick but Russell certainly won’t be rushing it. And he nails it. He’s seven from seven today.
72 mins: Halfpenny has a carry as Wales look to run from deep but Davies’ pass finds no one before Wales are penalised for obstruction. Russell’s going for goal.
70 mins: Watson turns Davies over - Davies was isolated there. Russell finds touch as Flower of Scotland rings out at Murrayfield.
69 mins: Scotland scramble the ball clear after Webb charges Pyrgos down. Wales come up the middle through Sam Davies, who is on for Biggar.
Converted try Scotland 26-13 Wales (Visser)
68 mins: Lovely try! Russell fizzes a flat pass to Hogg, who delightfully flicks the ball on to Visser, who races over in the left corner. Russell converts.
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66 mins: Scotland have it on the Wales 22. Russell is thinking about a drop goal but Pyrgos goes, then Barclay takes Scotland to within five metres.
65 mins: Scotland get some much-needed territory after Russell finds touch. Russell and Jones work the ball to Visser, who skips past North.
64 mins: Scotland get a penalty at the scrum, to huge cheers at Murrayfield.
63 mins: Faletau and Roberts are on for Wales. Richie Gray wins the lineout. And Scotland get the drive on but Charteris gets right in the middle of it.
62 mins: Back to the rugby and bad kick from Hogg means Wales are on the front foot again. Webb finds Evans, then Tipuric has it and Wales are within 10 metres. Evans again has a go. Scott Williams has a little dance before Charteris knocks on. Russell thumps clear and Lacey is checking a clean-out from Tipuric. Potential lifting of Russell. Could be in a spot of bother here ... but Lacey says just a penalty.
61 mins: An enjoyable email from Andrew Benton...
Gerard,
With Moriarty for Wales and Watson for Scotland, this match could be dubbed “Holmes’ day off”.
59 mins: Scotland go very long at the lineout but it works and Hogg booms it clear. Scott WIlliams goes again but Dunbar rips the ball and so it’s another scrum. Scotland to put in.
58 mins: Charteris is on for Wales, who think they’ve scored through Webb! Lacey goes upstairs after Wales pilfer the ball and the scrum-half darts down the right. It looks like Visser has just got him into touch, indeed he has, but great effort from Webb.
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57 minutes: Tipuric has knocked on down the right so we’ll have another scrum.
56 mins: Wales gather their restart though so they have it inside the Scotland 22. Halfpenny has a carry, then Moriarty.
Penalty! Scotland 19-13 Wales (Russell)
55 mins: Russell goes for goal - and it’s good. Pyrgos is on for Price.
54 mins: Prices wriggles up the middle and Scotland are up to the 22. Liam Williams makes a crucial tackle but Scotland have the advantage. Dunbar tries a crossfield kick and it goes 20 yards backward! Advantage over.
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53 mins: Barclay takes the lineout and Price goes high but it’s a bit long. He gets another go after a chip from Biggar and here comes Russell, who has certainly been more involved in the second half.
52 mins: Warburton takes it but as the drive comes on it’s Wales who are penalised for crossing. Russell finds a good touch with the penalty.
51 mins: Wilson picks up and feeds Seymour on the right and he dances past one man but is pinged for crossing in doing so. Biggar is going for the corner. Yeesh.
49 mins: Moriarty charges up the middle and then Davies bursts through the line. He’s got gas but not enough to get away from Hogg. He tries to find Webb but he can’t gather it so Scotland have a scrum near their own line.
47 mins: Russell puts up a high bomb and Visser takes it again. Scotland have their tails up. The forwards have it but Russell goes high again and Seymour does brilliantly to keep it alive. Watson gives away a penalty though and Wales have some respite.
46 mins: Russell clears Scotland’s lines so we have a Wales lineout on halfway. The crowd has come to life here after that Scotland try. And Wales overthrow the lineout.
Converted Try! Scotland 16-13 Wales (Seymour)
44 mins: Price goes himself, then Reid. Richie Gray has a carry, then Russell finds Hogg who delays his pass to Visser superbly. The ball is fed to Seymour on the right who thinks he may have scored. He has, despite the best efforts of Scott Williams! Seymour has hurt himself but should be OK. Russell converts via the post.
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43 mins: Lacey gives Fagerson and Evans a talking to and we’ll try again. Seymour comes in off his wing and Hogg has in on the right. He’s well tackled by Moriarty and Tipuric but Scotland recycle.
Kick-off!
41 mins: Biggar gets us up and running again. Halfpenny drops a hanging kick so we’ll have a Scotland scrum in the Wales half.
Half-time! Scotland 9-13 Wales
Well the first 20 minutes of that were rather forgettable but the second 20 bodes well for the rest of the match. It’s still simmering rather than n the boil but the signs are good.
Wales’s try was excellent - brought about by Webb’s quick-thinking - but Scotland showed in the last few minutes that if they inject the tempo and catch Wales cold, they can make inroads.
Wales’s defence has been excellent. The back row has been superb, Warburton in particular. The breakdown has been a fascinating battle though with Scotland having plenty of joy.
Scotland will be relieved though that Halfpenny missed his kick and Russell was able to score his. They could have been 10 down at half-time but instead they are four behind.
Less of the early conservatism and more abandon after the break please.
Penalty! Scotland 9-13 Wales (Russell)
40 mins: Scotland are pushing again and have an advantage. We’re coming back for the penalty, against Warburton, and Russell will go for goal. And he nails it.
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39 mins: North is forced out into touch on the Wales right but Scotland take it quickly. Here comes Hogg... ball in both hands .... and it’s lovely grubber for Seymour, who gathers and finds Jones inside him. He can’t get away from Tipuric though - great tackle from him and Wales force the turnover before Davies finds touch, this week.
38 mins: It’s a wild one from Halfpenny. Well wide on the right. He may have slipped.
37 mins: Scott Williams has a carry up the middle, and Jones gives away a penalty for not rolling away. Halfpenny will go for goal. It’s not an easy kick but this would be a huge boost for Wales before half-time.
36 mins: Penalty against Fagerson and Reid so Biggar hits touch.
35 mins: Seymour takes Russell’s restart so it’s Scotland on the front foot but AWJ and Tipuric combine with a fierce tackle on Jonny Gray and Wales have a scrum.
Penalty! Scotland 6-13 Wales (Halfpenny)
34 mins: Halfpenny restores Wales’s seven-point lead from in front of the posts.
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32 mins: Price then goes high and Visser takes this one well. Scotland are forced back by Wales though and the visitors have slowed the ball and won the penalty. Warburton and Tipuric combine again. Halfpenny will go at goal.
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31 mins: Watson has a dash with his first touch but Wales eventually force him out. There’s a bit of handbags now - started by Webb who is now miles away from it all. Back underway and Scotland turn it over again - nice inside pass from Russell as Scotland resist kicking just yet.
Penalty Scotland 6-10 Wales (Russell)
30 mins: Russell is on target with his second penalty of the afternoon so the gap is now four.
28 mins: Scotland set up the rolling maul before Williams has another snipe. Scotland have an advantage after a high tackle from Warburton. Russell feeds Hogg, who chips over the top and bears down on Halfpenny, who keeps his cool so we’re back for the penalty.
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27 mins: Chaos! It’s Webb again down the left and Liam Williams outside him. Williams streaks clear and evades Hogg to easily. He’s waiting for support and looks for Evans inside him. The ball goes to ground but John Lacey goes upstairs and it turns out Webb yanked back Seymour to allow Williams to get clear so it’s a penalty against Webb. Russell finds touch near the Welsh 22.
26 mins: Hardie hobbled off just after the try so Watson is now on.
Converted try! Scotland 3-10 Wales (Liam Williams)
25 mins: Webb finds Biggar, who has Scott Williams outside him. He floats a pass to Halfpenny, who has Liam Williams on his left and Williams has too much pace for Hogg. Scotland’s defence was very narrow there but a great finish from Wales, owing much to Webb’s quick thinking. Halfpenny curls home the conversion.
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23 mins: Hardie’s knee is now being heavily strapped. Watson is warming up but Hardie is packing down in the scrum. Free-kick and Webb takes it quickly...
22 mins: Scotland have a lineout in their half. Price box-kicks again and the ball bobbles into touch for a Wales lineout. Webb kicks high but Visser takes it. North holds him up though so it’s a scrum to Wales on the Scotland 22.
21 mins: Webb goes himself again but is hauled down and Scotland turn it over again. Price clears again but Halfpenny takes it well and wriggles onwards. The ball is out though and Price hacks at the ball. It’s a break in play - John Hardie is struggling but he’s staying on for now.
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20 mins: Scotland come again but no inch is being given in the tackle. Wales turn it over through Warburton. Classic Warburton turnover. Biggar finds touch around the Scotland 22. Chance here.
18 mins: Moriarty has a powerful carry then North gets his hands on the ball down the right. Warburton almost gets clear down the middle but Scotland turn it over. Russell’s kick is too big though.
17 mins: Biggar goes to the skies but Hogg takes it just outside the Scotland 22. Price clears but Halfpenny takes it well under pressure from Seymour.
16 mins: Wilson charges up the middle for Scotland, then Jonny Gray makes ground. Warburton and Tipuric combine well to slow Scotlanf though. Price box-kicks but Visser gives away the penalty for taking Biggar out in the air when giving chase. The crowd aren’t happy. It does look a bit harsh.
14 mins: Barclay is taken out in the air at the lineout this time so Russell goes for touch, but misses - a pretty rank kick that. 22 drop-out for Wales. Scrappy opening this.
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13 mins: Russell goes deep with the restart but Liam Williams gathers and boots clear, into touch on the right.
Penalty! Scotland 3-3 Wales (Halfpenny)
12 mins: From just to the left, on the 22, Halfpenny makes no mistake so we’re all square.
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11 mins: AWJ takes this one. Wales try, and fail, to get the drive going but they have an advantage. Webb snipes though and is tackled 10 metres short. Ball has another carry but the ball has gone loose so we’re coming back for a penalty. Halfpenny will go for goal.
10 mins: Tipuric takes the ball, and he’s taken out in the air. Penalty to Wales on halfway. Biggar finds a conservative touch.
9 mins: Wales are just outside the 22 now but Scotland have turned the ball over. Biggar’s having a moan but Price’s box-kick completes Scotland’s exit.
8 mins: Wales have possession in the Scotland half now, Ball and AWJ both carry before Scott Williams has a go. Ball again, the 22 is in sight now. Then Moriarty and Evans.
Penalty! Scotland 3-0 Wales (Russell)
6 mins: Scotland have an advantage, and we’ll come back for it. Wales are pinged for not rolling away. Straightforward for Russell who makes no mistake (this time).
5 mins: It’s still with the forwards. But then to the backs on the right and Huw Jones wriggles his way to five metres short.
4 mins: Richie Gray takes it and sets up the driving maul. Price has a run but is hit hard. Scotland still on the Wales 22.
3 mins: The first scrum of the match is reset, but Scotland are awarded the penalty. Russell finds touch on the Wales 22.
2 mins: Biggar carries over halfway but it’s a scrum to Scotland. Messy from Wales at the breakdown.
Kick-off!
1 min: Peeeeeeeeeeep! Russell kicks off, Davies takes it. Owens has an early carry before Biggar clears Wales’s lines. Penalty against Scotland though for offside. Biggar finds touch on halfway.
Anthems time. Wales’s first. Belted out by Nos 1-23. And now Scotland. Similarly stirring. Italy’s is up there but those are two of the best.
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Jason White, Greig Laidlaw’s agent, tells BBC that the scrum-half will be back before the end of the season, which will no doubt please Warren Gatland, who is at Murrayfield today.
Ali Price makes his first start for Scotland in Laidlaw’s absence.
Losing doesn’t really bear thinking about for these two sides as defeat will pretty much end their tournaments. Here’s hoping that both sides come out to win though, rather than not to lose. Kick-off is 15 minutes away.
Scotland by 1-5, Visser to score first try, Dunbar to score first try - so I’ve bet against myself again. Great.
Meanwhile, an email from Simon McMahon.
Afternoon Gerard. In the pub having a quick pint (it’s not the kind of place that serves cocktails) before heading to Tannadice to see Dundee United v Morton. Though if Scotland start like they did against Ireland it’ll be hard to leave. A friend reckons Scotland by a point. There it is, hope again ...
To events in Murrayfield and it feels a suitable time to remind you that Wales have won the last nine meetings between these sides. The last meeting in Edinburgh was a cracker - Wales edging home 26-23 - and hopefully we have something similar today.
Your correspondent thinks Scotland may just squeak it but they will have to go some to match Wales in the back row and it makes the omission of Hamish Watson baffling, unless he has a knock of some kind. He has been superb so far. If John Hardie, Ryan Wilson and John Barclay and match Sam Warburton, Justin Tipuric and Ross Moriarty though, the home side have the firepower in their backs to claim a first win since against Wales since 2007.
Time for a bet I think, I’ll report back with selections.
Before we go any further, it would be remiss of me not to mention a first Six Nations win in seven years for Scotland Women last night. They overcame Wales 15-14 in Cumbernauld thanks to Sarah Law’s late penalty. There have been some desperate moments for Scotland over the last few years but they have been making improvements of late and this is a win to savour for them.
Preamble
Afternoon, folks. We’re back! And we’re back with yet another finely poised, intriguing, impossible to predict (and we’re at risk of overusing those adjectives). Scotland v Wales doesn’t immediately spring to mind when thinking about possibly decisive matches in the championship but I’ll be damned if it isn’t one this year.
After weekend one, when Scotland did for Ireland, right here in Edinburgh, you would have made them favourites to beat a Wales side that struggled before putting away Italy. The Scots looked sharp and exciting, they were well marshalled and they were excellent the breakdown against Ireland’s much-vaunted back row. Wales, on the other hand, were underwhelming to put it kindly.
But what a difference another round and a week off make. Vern Cotter’s team have been gutted through injuries and, in Josh Strauss and Greig Laidlaw, have lost two of the cornerstones of what some had tipped to be a title challenge. Wales, on the other hand, were impressive in the tightest of thrillers against England and showed more verve in defeat than they had in victory. Furthermore, they welcome back George North from injury.
With one win and one defeat each thus far, it is impossible to say who the form side is. In terms of talent, you would say that Wales edge it but for the fact that Scotland have the most irrepressible player in the tournament in Stuart Hogg. Dan Biggar continues to hold off Sam Davies in the battle for the red No10 jersey but if he is off his game today then Scotland’s full-back could have a field day.
Kick-off for this one is 2.25pm Edinburgh time, which is 2.25pm Cardiff time or 2.25pm GMT. Here are your teams.
Scotland: Stuart Hogg, Tim Visser, Huw Jones, Alex Dunbar, Tommy Seymour, Finn Russell, Alistair Price; Gordon Reid, Fraser Brown, Zander Fagerson, Richie Gray, Jonny Gray, John Barclay (c), John Hardie, Ryan Wilson.
Replacements: Allan Dell, Ross Ford, Simon Berghan, Tim Swinson, Hamish Watson, Henry Pyrgos, Duncan Weir, Mark Bennett.
Wales: Leigh Halfpenny, George North, Jonathan Davies, Scott Williams, Liam Williams, Dan Biggar, Rhys Webb, Rob Evans, Ken Owens, Tomas Francis, Jake Ball, Alun Wyn Jones (c), Sam Warburton, Justin Tipuric, Ross Moriarty.
Replacements: Scott Baldwin, Nicky Smith, Samson Lee, Luke Charteris, Taulupe Faletau, Gareth Davies, Sam Davies, Jamie Roberts.
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