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Reuters
Reuters
Sport

Wales edge Scotland 25-24 in Six Nations thriller

Rugby Union - Six Nations Championship - Scotland v Wales - Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh, Scotland, Britain - February 13, 2021 Scotland's Matt Fagerson REUTERS/Russell Cheyne

Wales roared back from a 17-3 halftime deficit to complete a remarkable 25-24 Six Nations win over 14-man Scotland on Saturday, in a crackling encounter that saw momentum shift time and again.

Winger Darcy Graham darted onto a clever chip from Ali Price to score the first try, before the effervescent captain Stuart Hogg collected his own kick through to add another as Scotland showcased their inventive, incisive attack.

After barely firing a shot in the first period, however, Wales fought back with tries from Louis Rees-Zammit and Liam Williams, both wingers capping off deft handling down the backline. Prop Wyn Jones thudded over after a driving maul to score a third, as Scotland began to infringe at the breakdown.

Rugby Union - Six Nations Championship - Scotland v Wales - Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh, Scotland, Britain - February 13, 2021 Scotland's Stuart Hogg looks dejected after the match REUTERS/Russell Cheyne

A 54th minute red card for Zander Fagerson for an illegal clearout appeared to seal Scotland's fate, but Hogg reclaimed the lead for the home side with yet another brilliant score.

The last laugh belonged to Wales in a breathless finale, however, as Rees-Zammit scored his second try via his own brilliant chip-and-chase.

"We can be pleased with the character we showed, but for large parts of that game we were disappointing," said Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones.

Rugby Union - Six Nations Championship - Scotland v Wales - Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh, Scotland, Britain - February 13, 2021 Scotland's Zander Fagerson is shown a red card by the referee REUTERS/Russell Cheyne

Player of the match Rees-Zammit, 20, justified the hype surrounding his rapid rise to the national side not only with scorching breaks but an incredible late spiralled touchfinder.

Scotland, who opened the tournament in such style with a surprise 11-6 win over the much-fancied England, were left regretting poor discipline and several spurned chances to kick points late on.

"We are bitterly disappointed, for large parts of the game we were in control of it," Hogg said after a game in which he showed world-class pace and kicking precision.

Rugby Union - Six Nations Championship - Scotland v Wales - Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh, Scotland, Britain - February 13, 2021 Scotland's Stuart Hogg in action with Wales' Gareth Davies REUTERS/Russell Cheyne

The result marks further progress for Wales coach Wayne Pivac, who came into the tournament under pressure after a string of defeats and a sense the side was drifting from the ferocious defense-led style instilled by predecessor Warren Gatland.

Table-topping Wales will have the chance to make it three from three when they face England at home on Feb. 27, while Scotland face France away the next day.

Rugby Union - Six Nations Championship - Scotland v Wales - Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh, Scotland, Britain - February 13, 2021 Scotland's Jonny Gray REUTERS/Russell Cheyne

(Reporting By Lawrence White, editing by Pritha Sarkar)

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