Wales survive Scotland's second-half onslaught to set-up Grand Slam tilt against Ireland
Wales survived a second-half onslaught from Scotland to prevail 18-11 at Murrayfield and take one step closer towards the Six Nations Grand Slam.
Wales were cruising to a fourth win out of four when at half-time it led 15-6, a scoreline that flattered the Scots, who were coming off two bumbling losses to Ireland and France.
Then Scotland suddenly came alive to own the second half. Grant Gilchrist was held up over the line, then Darcy Graham finished a brilliant backs move, and Scotland trailed by only four with 22 minutes to go and their crowd roaring them on.
Scotland had virtually all of the possession in the half, was forcing penalties, and had Wales pinned down, but the Scots found their progress hindered by their own errors, a spill or poor pass or turnover. Wales' renowned defense also came to the fore, as it made 138 tackles in the second half after 66 in the first.
The match finished with Wales in the Scotland 22 for the first time since the end of the first half, and Gareth Anscombe kicking a second penalty.
Good morning and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of today's Six Nations clash between Scotland and Wales, brought to you from Murrayfield.
Wales are looking to make it four wins from four and take another step towards a Grand Slam triumph, having already beaten France, Italy and England.
Scotland meanwhile are desperate for a victory to ignite their championship after back-to-back losses to Ireland and France, and they have Finn Russell back from concussion to start at fly-half along with WP Nel back in the front row.
The match is due to kick-off at 2:15pm, with our full build-up getting underway at 1:15pm.
Hello and welcome to Murrayfield where Warren Gatland's Wales are looking to edge one step closer to the Grand Slam. Here is our preview of today's game:
The first quarter of this game could be crucial. Scotland have conceded more points than any other side (25) in the first 20 minutes this Six Nations, while Wales have in fact scored fewer first half points than any other side (15).
Doddie Weir is here today to watch the two teams battle it out for the trophy named in his honour. The anthems have been sung, the players are ready, and we're just seconds away from kick-off.
2 min: It's a perfect day at Murrayfield with the predicted downpour easing away, however, it hasn't stopped an early knock-on from Blair Kinghorn almost immediately from kick-off handing an early scrum to Wales.
4 min: Liam Williams chips into space towards the Scotland line with Josh Adams charging down but Finn Russell latches onto the loose ball and safely touches down.
From the dropout, Gareth Davies misjudges the ball's flight and knocks on the ball after an awkward bounce leaving Scotland with a scrum in a promising position in the Welsh half.
7 min: A nice spell of play by Scotland who attack the left-hand side via Nick Grigg before Rob Evans secures the turnover leading to a kicking exchange. Blair Kinghorn then proceeds to test the the same area as Gregor Townsend's side secure the upper-hand.
9 min Scotland 3-0 Wales: The pressure is eased as Stuart McInally passes foward before a break in play due to an injury to Jamie Ritchie.
However, Scotland then win a penalty in an attractive position in front of the posts after Ross Moriarty fails to roll away and Finn Russell secures the first points of the game
A wonderful finish from Adams who was released down the left-wing after a series of phases. Blair Kinghorn was no match for the jinking Welshman and Gareth Anscombe makes easy work of the conversion.
17 min: Scotland 3-7 Wales: Wales capitalise on the momentum from that breakthrough and strip Magnus Bradbury of the ball from the kick-off, but Alun Wyn Jones is then penalised for stopping Scotland from securing a turnover of their own.
Blair Kinghorn kicks for touch and puts the home side back on the attack in the Welsh 22.
20 min: Scotland 6-7 Wales: Darcy Graham comes just yards from from the Welsh line after the centre picks a gap and wriggles past three tackles before being brought down. Scotland pile on the pressure by the tryline and in Wales' desperate attempt to reset are penalised for tackling a player without the ball.
Scotland deliberate about whether to go for the line but ultimately decide to let Russell sidefoot over the simplest of kicks. One point in it.
