Wales v Scotland Six Nations Rugby

Bank is the badge and put the jersey on, it was like no other jersey. It

is the ultimate. The feeling when I wore the jersey. All of a sudden, I

am thrust to the field of my heroes. Wales is the best country in the

world. To wear the Scottish jersey is the

best experience of my life. You hope you can do the jersey justice.

Putting it on I was all over the place. Doesn't matter if it is your

first order your last cap. Your chest expands and you feel a bit

taller and stronger. That was absolute magic.

Can it really be 14 years since the McLaren's last commentary, 14 years

in Scotland left Cardiff with a victory, 61 years in Scotland had a

run of form as poor us now but this was always his debut match, Celtic

cousins and the friendliest of rivalries. Today it is a matter of

desperation, Scotland cannot lose nine a in a row against Wales. There

has been an immediate grand slam and the Six Nations that followed an

following events in Paris, the French dream of a grand slam still

alive. A pretty gruesome game in horrible weather and persistent

drizzle in Cardiff all day today saw the pitch is going to be wet because

they have just caused the roof. The atmosphere is building.

The Principality Stadium, the 121st meeting between Wales and Scotland.

I suppose the bottom line to this match, the top from a Scottish

perspective is every statistic you look at does not make very pretty

reading. Scotland have lost it in a row here, the worst run in this

championship since the mid-19 50s. A lot on the plate of these Scotland

coach, Vern Cotter. Some last-minute changes to the

Scotland team, can you tell us what they are and the reasons? Sean

Maitland had a twinge in his hamstring earlier in the week, he

felt it again today so we thought it was best that we didn't take the

field. Ruaridh Jackson has taken his place on the bench. This hasn't been

the happiest of hunting grounds for Scotland in previous years but you

know this team better than anyone, do they have the skill set and the

belief to be able to beat this Welsh team? Coming down here and believing

you can win is important. Believing is imported and focused on a good

performance, we want a better one than last week. You will keep the

pressure on for long periods will stop try to get reward, we know it

is tough and it is part of it as well. It is good to be fast, furious

and very physical. We want to do better than last week. One of the

players in the Scotland side not weighed down by the baggage of

history is John Hardie, only last summer Vern Cotter told the Kiwi to

get your boots, get your passport, get on a plane and get to Edinburgh.

Born in London, New Zealand, qualify for Scotland to my grandmother from

Fife. When did you first decide that Scotland was going to be on the

horizon? Double international qualifications and they came over

here with no guarantees and I wanted to get out of the comfort zone and

try something different and Jake Roos and I thought it was good for

my rugby and it has paid off, I have given a lot in a Scotland shirt. A

strange six months to get as many caps as you did for Scotland and

never run out at Murrayfield, how special moment was that? Very

special, sends shivers up your spine. Pity we didn't get the result

but a great experience. It will help myself as a rugby player.

COMMENTATOR: Little bit of space and Hardie strings things up. Shield

winner 2011, Super Rugby title 2015. How much did you know about the

perception of Scottish rugby before you came here whether it be their

defeats in the Six Nations or the criticism that they cannot finish

off games, did any of that worry you? I cannot read too much into

that, we are working on now and look forward to our game against Wales.

We defied the odds against England, so hopefully we can change the

moment. COMMENTATOR: Hardie looking for support to within ten metres.

Six caps, two tries. In terms of Wales's performance against Ireland,

what did you think? It was a really physical game, Ireland good on the

breakdown, we are up for a big task this weekend. It will be a tough

one. I think we have to do the basics well and the little things.

If we go out there and express ourselves we will, with a good

result. Great occasion here. There are one

of the four number seven is effectively playing in

In Bill McLaren's day there are blindside flanker is another sixes

and sevens and the perceived wisdom is that these players are playing in

a similar way. Filament traditionally the six is the bigger

man who flies in the tight areas, the ball-carrier, looking to play

the game on the front foot of the seven is normally smaller and

quicker but these four players play club level at seven. It suggests an

open and expansive game. I think the jury is out. Interesting to see how

the battle goes today. The Northern Hemisphere tend to follow the

southern hemisphere. That seemed to be the criteria that the All Black

players were selected upon. Scotland and Wales, having the balance of

these players a bit more open means it reflects the style of rugby they

want to play. But Wales have it reflects the style of rugby they

change that they can bring in Dan Lydiate. It is just about how your

team wants to play. More facts and figures that don't make happy

reading for the Scottish perspective. In terms of experience,

Wales have all these players who have played 100 internationals and

there is real inexperience in the Scotland team. Wells have an

incredible record under Warren Gatland at the Six Nations. The

players we have highlighted, these are players in positions and in

eight that Scotland could form their team around for the next ten years.

Not one of them have won a single game in the Six Nations. That is

quick to change, of course it will but these guys know how to win, of

the Obama part of Glasgow's victorious team in the Pro12 last

season, they just have to get the monkey off their back and break

their duck in the Six Nations. They have to face facts, created enough

opportunities last week to win begin, they have shown in the World

Cup began win games and scored tries but today they have to find out.

Talk about experience. Nobody has more experience than Warren Gatland.

The draw last week left many Welsh fans frustrated, just X days ago but

in that period of time what positives have you been able to take

from the Ireland match into this one? We scrummaged really well last

week, poor first 20 minutes and we had to show some character to get in

front and then conceded a late penalty, frustrated but created some

chances. We have to finish off the chances we create. We have to give

our wingers the opportunity. What about Dan Biggar, for Lazarus, as he

has been called, is he 100% fit, do you have any concerns over him? The

end result, looked like a high ankle sprain and bruise. He didn't take a

full part at the beginning of the week but has trained well the last

few days and looks like he is jumping around, the boys have made a

few jokes about it. I the boys have been taking a few jibes at him but

he has handled it well. Amid all the frustrations Wales had last week,

the double standout performances, JB Robinson and Faletau, why was he so

good last week? He has been phenomenal since he won his first

cap, these are the statistics. Top of everything. Like all class

players, he makes everything look so easy, I know it is a cliche. Great

footballing skills and we talk about the four sevens, he brings real

balance to the back row. Denton is blindside player, up there with the

best in the world. The forwards from the backs, so many big names. So

many big names in the Welsh back division, I do change the way they

have played in the last few years? It takes them to get used to it, you

are trying to shake it, Wales are attacking the 20 metre flank, they

have set their shape really early, this gives you lots of options but

you have to make the right decisions. The tight Irish pack,

good passing, it gets to George North, tremble as to make a decision

on which played to date but the space is still on the outside. Lots

of options, make the right decisions you will score tries. George makes

the wrong decision and giving themselves more opportunities they

will get it right and scored tries. One key thing, Dan Biggar is in the

Welsh starting line-up, that is a source of real expectation for

Wales. It shows how important he is that they want him. One of his

greatest strengths is ticking and retrieving the ball. He doesn't look

100% but I think he is that important, they have got him back

and credit to them. Warren Gatland this to experience, this is a long

tournament, Rhys Priestland came on and played really well. There is no

need to take that risk. They are playing red of heaven which has been

the anthem of the Arms Park and during the course of our Six Nations

coverage, getting some of the Giants of the game to recall their moments

for our future game so today we thought we would go to the one and

only peerless Gareth. There was something about the

Scotland game that just made it different for me. The Celtic family.

Looking for bragging rights. COMMENTATOR: Gareth Edwards. I got

the captaincy against Scotland in 1968 will stop will be a day I will

never forget. I thought, a short burst around the blindside, Morris

would be inside me, I was not looking for the time ever I thought

I'd better go in. COMMENTATOR: You will not see anything better than

that. And winded myself and my mother could hardly watch it and had

her hand in front of her face and she thought I had cut open my head.

I face was covered in blood but it was the red shale of the dog track

and to this day it made a wonderful richer. COMMENTATOR: Taken by Gareth

Edwards. Five yards short. The Scots boys were particularly good, the

friendships we made on the Lions tour is where special. Wonderful

people and Celtic brothers. There he is, and I got the realm

these days, there is his grandson. You think he could have gone in the

hospitality box! He is the man of the people! It is strange, we are in

Cardiff and Wales but the focus today in many ways is more on

Scotland than on wheels and how they will break this rock. I must mention

one of our production team, one of the passionate rugby fans you will

ever know with the biggest years in history of the world and he has

shaved it off today because he believes that will be the

difference. Scottish fans of doing anything to try to break this cycle!

That sums up Scottish rugby. The facial hair of a production manager!

Ireland forward to see Scotland play today because they were not pleased

with the performance last week, I want to see the high tempo game that

Scotland should the World Cup because that is what brings out the

best in the players. It was a slow game last week and they were not

good at generating quick ball. This is the holy grail that Scotland are

facing today, they need to get quick all to get their game going. Wales

will try to stop that and that is the game within the game that will

determine who wins this today. From a Welsh point of view it is

fascinating, since Warren Gatland has been in charge, they are trying

to expand their game and I think it will be a high-scoring game with

lots of tries. Fascinating game in prospect. This time last week you

were seeing at the meal last night, you change your mind at the last

moment and went to Scotland, last night you said Wales. I'm sticking

with Wales, the statistics, the ball-carriers. Scotland have got to

look for a moment of magic. A moment of fortune and grab onto that. The

players are not playing as well as they can. We saw. Of this Scotland

Cadman Regli blog, he is such a key figure, not just in terms of

goal-kicking but the speed of his service. When the game is slow, that

is not where his friends are, when the game is Wick, Greg

is not where his friends are, when good decisions, if he has to dictate

it tempo, that is where he struggles -- we saw the Scotland captain, Greg

Laidlaw. The pyrotechnics have started on the flames go up in the

air. The Welsh and Scottish players take to the field. Wales strong

odds-on favourites but this has a fantastic history for being

open and free-flowing, if you are a neutral, you can expect maybe 50

points. I will go a little bit against Andy, if I was Scotland and

if you have two ree find your game, the off-loading is a risky way to do

it, simplify your game. Click for some territory and look to get it to

the 22. A lot for Chris Paterson and Jonathan Davies and Andrew Cotter to

talk about. # O flower of Scotland #

When will we see your like again # That fought and died for # Your wee

bit hill and glen # And stood # Proud Edward's army #

And sent him homeward # # Those days are passed now #

And in the past they must remain # # And be the nation

again # That stood against him # Proud Edward's army #

And sent him homeward # Mae hen wlad fy nhadau yn annwyl

i mi # Gwlad beirdd a chantorion, enwogion o fri # Ei gwrol ryfelwyr,

gwladgarwyr tra mad # Dros ryddid CHEERING

One of the finest sounds in sport. Providing incident and drama and

hopefully some more lies in store today. Two sides looking to show

some attacking prowess. Some of the line ups to last began, Wales the

same 15. Faletau's carrying will be clear to

see and Tipuric to do no less important work in the breakdown.

The same pack for Scotland, quite dependent on the scrummaging

abilities of the starting front row. Everywhere you look to the EU find

openside flanker is. No great weight in the back for Scotland. There are

no two changes in the backline, Duncan Taylor at inside centre. A

very late switch with Sean Maitland out, so Sean Lamont comes in on the

wing for his 102nd cap. On the bench, Wales might have more to call

upon on reserve with Jenkins and Davidson and Lydiate. Ruaridh

Jackson the late call-up in midfield for Scotland.

There is Clancy, I hope we don't see Clancy.

There is Clancy, I hope we don't see much of him today. Usually the

referees play a small part in this fixture and we see a lot of tries.

Dan Biggar, if you are a Scottish player, his left ankle has been

suspect, it is an incredible recovery, you have to attack his

left-hand shoulder and make sure he comes off his left foot, running

inside, see if he is fit or not. That is a priority, run straight at

him and straight over. He is here and Wales, no Grand Slam Triple

Crown, but they believe the title can be theirs. Scotland in a hideous

run in this fixture and this championship, straight down the

middle, from Faletau onto Davidson. Lien Williams galloping up with the

first attack. Perfect dark from Wales. Stoked defence coming in from

Johnny Gray. The Welsh supporters cry as they have the ball now.

Roberts. Just look at what is available down the blindside IDV 's.

Eagleton Alun Wyn Jones -- blindside available down the blindside IDV 's.

by Davies. Richard Graves goes on, Stuart Hogg. Can he get away? He

cannot. Wales will be grateful it was Gareth Davies out there and not

a big lumbering forward. Great tackle, lovely pass from in there.

He has to make up for it, there is the knock-on. The Volvo spread to

the left-hand side. This is a must tackle.

From the line-out, Wales have it. Davies, now what a star he was at

the World Cup. It is a free play for Wales, this. They will come back for

the knock-on says George Clancy. The aerial battle is intriguing, Wales

are so good at it. We have seen examples already. Charteris got on

the end of that one. Very interesting, Warren Gatland said

they were going to be a little more direct than last week. I think what

he means is, he has to go forward. The defenders. -- they did not

engage the defenders. It'll be interesting to see how much ball

carrying they do and foremost. Doesn't want them shoulder to

shoulder. Scotland do have a slight edge in weight. Fascinating contest

in the front row. Samson Lee setting himself on the tight head for Wales.

Straight enough. Good drive, great first scrum from Wales and they'll

have the penalty. What a wonderful early sign that is for Wales and a

worry for Scotland in the scrum. Considered pressure from Wales, set

really low. Working together. George Clancy has a word with Gareth

Davies. Well that's an ominous start for Scotland. What a kick as well.

Great kick. A lot of games have been close, Scotland have just got to

eradicate their mistakes. Against England, two missed tackles, England

scored tries. A little splinter group breakaway. Whilst driving in

again, and again they breakaway. Scotland trying to set the defence

but Wales are marching to the line. Down it goes. Still be red jerseys

are pouring in. Got to go wide now. Instead it is carried in by Roberts.

Davies summons in the forward again. Fill it

/ the referee, Alun Wyn Jones couldn't quite hold on. -- forward

says the referee. Puts his hand up and acknowledges the mistake. Well

looked after initially by Wales. Opportunity to go wide. There is the

knock-on. Doesn't make many mistakes but took his eye off the ball. From

the initial catch in the line-out, when the ball came out, there was

the opportunity, there was an opportunity, there were plenty of

players on the outside. For Scotland's defence, they had good

width, which allowed them to come up a bit quicker and shot off that

opportunity to go to the outside. Scotland's ball but right underneath

their own posts. Free kick Scotland get out of that

scrum. Just the early engage. Rob Evans got it right the scrum before,

but that time, as the referee George Clancy warned comic once shoulder to

shoulder -- as the referee warned, he wants shoulder to shoulder. When

he drops it, you can clear his lines.

It is just the belief that they can win. If they cut out the errors they

are always going to be in the game. Faletau just clutches it at the

are always going to be in the game. back. It comes deeper to

are always going to be in the game. Delicate chip over the top, how does

it work? Way comes Davies now it's Gareth Davies all the way for the

corner! What a try for Wales, what a child for Gareth Davies. It came

from nothing, it came from chaos -- what a try for Gareth Davies.

Question to be asked. They want to check if there was a knock-on in the

play previously to this. I think as the ball has gone back... We will

have to wait and see. But what a finish from the sky. I said as soon

as he got the ball, he had a chance. This is the

as he got the ball, he had a chance. Looking for a knock-on. Looks like

Duncan Taylor got his hands to it first. That's Jamie Roberts going

back, isn't it? I think that is a try. Comes off

back, isn't it? I think that is a well, doesn't it? So it is play on.

It is play on. What a finish thereafter. He is watching it on the

big screen himself. The first thing is, are they onside? I

big screen himself. The first thing just are. George Clancy has

big screen himself. The first thing of things from that, it was the

big screen himself. The first thing aerial battle he talked about. What

pace Gareth Davies showed. aerial battle he talked about. What

thing, look how many defenders are drawn,. Instead of the up and under,

he chips. Good communication with Jamie Roberts, but this is a

magnificent finish. Good communication, he chips the ball

back, you knows communication, he chips the ball

straight, he comes on the right foot. And then it is just a foot

race. What a finish, what a try. Heading for the corner and giving

Dan Biggar this conversion attempt. Sneaks inside the upright. Ideal

start for Wales, they dominated. Ball Dan Biggar, wonderful

conversion. It was his chip that set up the try.

Finding the space, Gareth Davies first to react, and what a finish.

It's an amazing finish. Five tries at the Rugby World Cup, and a try

here for Gareth Davies. Again, why is a stand-off catching the ball,

there? He's got an injured left ankle and he's catching the ball

from the kick-off. You've got to put some on their instead of him. Davies

sends it down the line. Hogg waiting. A little kick through

doesn't quite come off. Now it might be there for James. It is all fine,

says the referee. Liam Williams comes forward with it, and scoops it

high. Russell galloping onto it, gives it to Stuart Hogg eventually.

Find a little bit of space. Looking for support which comes from Ross

Ford. Slows down. Slow ball, no choice. Beckett is too long by a

matter of inches. Wales have to play it through Davies. It never mistake.

Yes. Rather than having a line-out where the kick was taken, they will

have a line-out, but it will be Scotland's ball. I think Jonathan

Davies made his point clear as well. Wales starting so well. On that 8%

they have had two breaks. So they have to try to keep possession, not

kick it away, go through the phases. Gone full Braveheart with the blue

world. Scotland trying to get something

going with a driving maul. Bit of space here, and here comes Bennett.

Looking for Hogg. Bit more speed about the attack now, Laidlaw

threatening around the fringes. Richie Gray picks up. Scotland

playing with a bit of sitcom here. Laidlaw gives it, this time to John

Barclay. Hardie, and into the 22 come Scotland. Carried through by

Jonny Gray again. Wider it goes, Dickinson this time.

Scotland stringing the phases together. Into the 22 again. 11

phases and counting, trying to get that ball back. Tipuric makes a

nuisance of himself. Russell gives it to Jonny Gray again. Russell lays

it to Alistair Dickinson. The loosehead prop is turned to turf.

Needed to break the first tackle. And threw goes Laidlaw, making the

menace of himself. Nel carries now. Jonny Gray. And Dickinson again.

Advantage to Scotland as well, they are getting closer and closer

through Denton. 17 phases for Scotland, great continuity,

handling. Richie Gray. Laidlaw just flips it to Ross Ford. Heading

towards 20 phases. Good clear out by Nel. Jonny Gray again, his brother

lends a hand. Foster goes wide, little chip over the top, and it

will be surely a trifle Scotland, and it is, for Tommy Seymour! Great

play, great patients. Thought they had the overlap on the right-hand

side, but the right decision. Lovely balance for Seymour to finish. You

have to say in terms of being patient, build-up, everybody playing

their part, it is a great try. Finn Russell looks up, you knows there is

nobody in behind, Tommy Seymour finishes off after 21 phases. They

attacked wide, and through the middle. Lovely chip to finish, and

Tommy Seymour getting the touchdown. Lovely kick. Watch number 11, Tom

James, he has creaked in a little bit and left the space behind. You

had number nine on the inside of Tom James. Totally unorganised defence.

Very difficult conversion for Greg Laidlaw. Two really sharp darts as

well from this man. What a stunning, stunning kick from

Greg Laidlaw. People have criticised him for not being a dangerous enough

runner, but that's what he offers. This is the kick, what a lovely

kick, well weighted, he scores. Through all of the recycling, you

needed somebody to make the initial break. Great game so far. Both sides

have been struggling to score tries of late but both scoring a try in

the opening 40 minutes. Scotland gather it in safely at the

restart. More energy about that last Scottish attack. Laidlaw sends it

with some length, gathered in by Williams. In the Biggar. Up she goes

again. Biggar wins beautifully and then lays it back. He was up against

Laidlaw, there. And the penalty goes to Scotland. And Laidlaw slaps. He

is winded, Dan Biggar. He had a free run through from his kick. Free

access to the ball. Look how brave he is, eyes on the ball. Landing on

the ball and on his side. Great aerial player, Dan Biggar. In terms

of gathering high kicks it's always been one of his strengths. So brave.

He is winded. The secret to that is not kicking the ball too high. If

you go too high, you get under it before it lands. You need enough

height to get into the right position but you want to arrive

the same time. So brave. Biggar is OK, now. And Scotland will have the

penalty and a chance to go OK, now. And Scotland will have the

the right boot of Finn Russell. Very good kick. Great field position once

again. Quite often he tries to bite off a huge amount. On that occasion

it has come off. Look at the position Scotland have now. It makes

such a huge difference. Especially kicking from the 40 metre line,

aiming for the five metre line. When you watch Jonny Wilkinson practice,

practice, practice, the precision of getting the five metre line, it just

makes the mindset slightly different for the catch and drive. Couple of

throws went astray last week. Safely into the hands of Richie Gray.

Scotland trying to get the driving maul going. Laidlaw holding it

again. Charteris did very well, there. Wales have the scrum. Well, I

have to say, Charteris looked in a very unusual position, there are.

Whether he was offside or not. Think he got the benefit of the doubt. He

comes through the middle, which is he got the benefit of the doubt. He

legal. Pretty fortunate, there are, should be a penalty for Scotland. He

always does it. In his line-out work he is an absolute nuisance of

opposition ball. Seen him charged down two already this afternoon. The

first scrum in the game went the way of

Good patience, just watch your shoulders, get them up. Some final

instructions from George Clancy. shoulders, get them up. Some final

They are two very good front rows, here. There is a man who knows a bit

about it. Must here. There is a man who knows a bit

Jonathan Humphreys to be sat on the Scotland bench inside the

principality stadium. Looking at the statistics, territory and

possession, Scotland have certainly evened it up in the last ten

minutes. Scotland with the better scrum this time, pinged back. Dzeko

in trouble, has to get the scrum this time, pinged back. Dzeko

and does very well indeed. -- Biggar in trouble. That was a great kick as

well. The Wales scrum is under pressure, they don't

well. The Wales scrum is under next thing, the ball comes. The ball

squirts out of the tunnel. Davies checks it back. Dan Biggar is in the

war is already, but under pressure. You've got to make that tackle,

haven't you? It was a great tackle. And a few words said to each other.

Ooh, a little bit loose in the line-up. Wales have a chance to

counter, now. But into touch it goes instead. Opportunity to keep that in

hand? Yes, missed pass for no particular reason. They take the

fall. These are the mistakes Scotland have got to cut out. Great

read by Alun Wyn Jones. No real advantage from the line-out against

read by Alun Wyn Jones. No real the throw. May be feeling the

Early loss in the line-out. Looks pressure, any hooker Wood.

Early loss in the line-out. Looks Jonny Gray, but George has something

to say. Guys, you can't dummy jump before the ball comes in, that

triggers them, OK? Don't get your feet off the ground. We will go

again. So, that we are. Clear enough from George Clancy. No dummy

jumping. In other words just chuck it in. Ford goes to Jonny Gray

again, and Laidlaw. Tom James is therefore Wales, see wins that one.

Great challenge by the winger. It goes over the head of Nel to

Russell. Now over the head of North. And North, galumphing his way back.

Down the line he goes. Horne with some clear grass in front of him.

And now the chase is on. Finn Russell is getting back to Scotland.

Tipuric himself is chasing it. Steps around the flanker. He sends it into

touch, and an open game is what we have today. Yes, always an open

game. Hogg has come to play, hasn't he? There's the dummy kick. Tipuric

the loan chaser, and that's an easy step. It was Tipuric who picked up

the ball. Must have run past three or four of his team-mates to get

there. Very good play by Lamont. He was just shadowing Tipuric as he ran

back. Roberts sets himself. He had Dan Biggar racing up on his shoulder

looking for the short ball. Wales, first time in a while, a bit of ball

looking for the short ball. Wales, to play with. Milking the penalty.

Faletau. Carried in by his captain. The full-back arriving at some

speed. Biggar gives it onto Roberts began. Finn Russell is a stout

fellow at fly half. The pass is gathered in by Tipuric. Back to

Biggar. That's a result of Scotland, that is, forcing them into the kick.

Seymour good under the high ball against a pillar great counter

rocking. And through the middle comes John Barclay!

Hogg on the inside, white it goes, and Bennett into touch. And Hogg had

come in, and now he flings his arms out wide. Berkeley didn't quite see

or hear him. Scotland will be very happy. They forced Wales to kick

because they could not break the defensive line. Again, Seymour, his

second brilliant take in the air. The gap just opens up and Barkley is

true. Hogg comes into out. That was a bit close. Great angle, should

have kept the ball in hand -- Barclay is through. Seymour looking

comfortable under the high ball today, as he has to be. I would give

it to the other side now. Scotland have the penalty as well.

Interference on the ground from Wales. After a very bright start by

Wales, Scotland you might suggest are having the better of things.

Been really impressed with Scotland in the last 15 minutes or so. The

things they got wrong in that area battle last week and in the first

couple of minutes here, have been fixed. Seymour is so strong and safe

under that high ball. He is in, there. He says it's too late. So

difficult at the breakdown. We saw a great counter ruck from Scotland

just before that. Finn Russell has decided to put it in the corner, I

think that is a good decision. It was certainly kick a ball, but

decided to go for touch instead. Hardly any angle, he had to screw it

off the outside of the boot. Hogg has been receiving attention. Still

looking a little uncomfortable. Jonny Gray takes it down for

Scotland and it's held at the back by Hardie. John Hardie and Scotland

drive forward. Laidlaw is shouting instructions, urging on the big grey

horses of the pack. Scotland try to make more ground. This will have to

go up soon. Think they've got to go to ground. Could be Wales turnover.

Yes it is. That's the second time, the catch and drive from the

line-out. The scrum-half has got to read that position very quickly and

say, this is not going anywhere, let's get some pace into the

movement. It's all very well when the ball is at the back and you can

see it and make that decision but if the ball is caught in the middle,

very difficult. When you are in an attacking position you've got to

keep the momentum going. You hit the deck and then you recycle it. This

is where they kind of lose the momentum. All the pressure now and

all the territory is with Scotland. They can't afford business takes

that don't turn the pressure into points. -- card for these mistakes.

It's been a hard opening 25 minutes in Thames of fitness. Another good

scrum. What is the decision from George Clancy? Scotland feel they

got the better of that. Richie Gray's face was a picture of the

world and in disbelief. -- picture of bewilderment. Two packs really

going at each other, doesn't always have to result in a penalty.

Psychological welfare out there as well. After the first scrum the

Scotland front five have really turned it around. Opposition ball,

they should really go after Wales. There she goes again. George Clancy

wants to get the ball out of the but they will have to do it again. It

has totally turned around, you do feel Scotland have a fraction of an

edge in the scrum. How many scrums have you been in, in your life?

Personally me, none. Get it right. The pressure is now building on the

referee as well, isn't it? Two scrums.

Scotland setting early. All part of the psychological battle. You said

getting ready, they were. There's getting ready and there's engaging

early, that was the decision getting ready and there's engaging

George Clancy, free kick and a leisurely chance to clear for Wales.

George Clancy, free kick and a And the Biggar. Spiralling it

through the air, and Seymour keeps it in well. Hogg now with clear

ground in front of him, sends it up for Seymour to chase down. And

Seymour wins it again. What a battle he is having. But then it is spilled

Seymour wins it again. What a battle forward, and going down on it is

Charteris. Left-hand side, forward on his own and second row.

Seymour is up now. Groggily getting into position. Hogg comes forward to

try to take it, he had to race there, clattering legs as he came

in. Baldwin slid into him, think you could have injured him, the Welsh

hooker. They both slowly get to their feet when they made contact.

Hogg does not look comfortable at all. The full-back trying to get

back in position but attacking with one man down at the moment. I do

like Finn Russell but at the moment he is trying to force it. He's

like Finn Russell but at the moment to call players either side of him.

He doesn't have to do everything. Might you have to call it. You have

to call inside runners, if the blitz defence is rushing up you need an

inside option. That'll be a big blow for Scotland. Huge blow, as soon as

the physio came on and it was instantly the signal that she is

off. Don't have huge options on the bench. There is the take, they clash

legs but he was carrying an injury before that. I don't think it was

for that, I think it was for the injury before. Ruaridh Jackson

coming on at full-back. Stuart Hogg Scotland's best broken

field runner. He might then them as a second five.

Tipuric taking it from Warburton. Scotland have the penalty. Just what

they would have required. We will have a look at the penalty.

Tipuric goes on high. The clear up has come too late, that

is a penalty, not releasing the ball on the ground for the number seven

to come in. The art of the openside and that is what Hardie offers.

Holding his own body weight. This is right on his boundary. 45 metres out

or so. Laidlaw has the distance of this one and the direction and

Scotland meet after half an hour. And deservedly so. The initial seven

minutes Wales were all over them, Scotland have dominated the

possession since then, dominated territory and they have got their

just rewards with the three points. Wales have been stung after that

early try, most of the crowd in here, a few of those players thought

it was going to be a day in the cave of Scotland responded very well.

Comes back to Laidlaw, sends it long. Seymour is off on him. Russell

looking for a quick one and just come all that. If they adopt a very

good tactical kicking game and think, let's see if wheels can

attack and score from distance because I think Wales have come here

to try to smash over the top of them, Scotland now that they have

not got a plan B, they are going to say, OK, if we are doing tackles you

have to score wide and employ your plan the if you have got to because

if they are in the Scotland 22, Wales will go over. How destructive

visit when you lose a player who has been training with that backline all

week. Ruaridh Jackson was with the squad this week and last week.

Chance for Wales, comes forward. Rate running of the ball by Lien

Williams. Brilliant tackle from Mark Bennett. The ball against the throw

but he drifts and drift somewhat a brilliant tackle.

Williams should have held onto that, maybe yards on the outside. Just

trying to force it. This man feeling that things are formed, Richie Gray

just gets his hands do, attention coming in from Charteris, two huge

men. Wales complained. The ball was there just for Scotland. Who is

there? Charteris, the ball has not gone to ground from the line-out, so

you hand it over. Warren Gatland was seeing the

players don't approve after going to France, but Charteris seems to be

getting better and better. That is why he has had the nod over Davies

because his work at the line-out, especially on an opposition throw.

Wales just winning the battle of the turnover ball.

Much better scrum from Wales and they are looking for the penalty.

The scrum is back in Wales's favour. Not driving straight. Dickenson on

the loosehead side. Has to be driving in on the angle. Not driving

straight. It is amazing the turnaround within the same game and

within the same ten minutes, if your focus and concentration isn't right.

It has a massive effect. Two wonderful kickers. In the respective

sides. Biggar begins his shuffling and his

twitching, all part of the routine. Beautiful strike from Dan Biggar.

All tied up here in Cardiff will stop 10-10 with five minutes to go

in the first half. Wales disrupted the Scottish line, had a good scrum.

So soon after Scotland's three points to go ahead, good striking

back, good game management from Wales. Russell was the restart, some

length on it. The thing rather quickly, North takes it and George

North, here comes the muscle and power, looking for Faletau, but

eventually out it goes and John Hardie, getting very excited. Good

take. Good tackle by John Hardie, so money times the North having the

power to burst through those tackles. It start to the match.

Scotland's scrum. The knock-on was the first decision.

Words of encouragement to the front rowers from George Clancy.

He is telling them to keep the ball. He did in the hand, recycling and

build the pressure. Don't kick it away. So much depends on how secure

is at the back of the scrum and how it is. Sean Lamont standing inside

the Russell. All depends on how stable this platform is.

Wales will shove it down, George Clancy having a look. He wants

Laidlaw to play it now. Russell gives it onto Gray the

elder. Russell Russell gives it onto Gray the

almost do, looking for support. Chance again. Jackson putting it

back but nobody there. One-on-one, quick feet.

Nel. The ball is back and a of confusion and Scotland claim they

were held but James stands strong stop Taylor still complaining.

were held but James stands strong obstruction, I think, he had a case

for it. Samson Lee gets it back to Williams,

for it. Samson Lee gets it back to 22, North, can he build up

for it. Samson Lee gets it back to steam. Watched well. Final two

minutes in the first half, very little between the two sides.

the head of Denton are waiting for this one is Russell. Ruaridh Jackson

overruns. Russell gets the ball away. Jonny Gray almost on his own

in midfield. Scotland come into secure, Laidlaw looking for runners.

Jamie Roberts of the line very quickly. Scotland come again through

Sean Lamont. Laidlaw. Passing his uncle Roy in terms of caps. Lamont,

a rather untidy pass out to Nel. Into the final minute. Defiant

a rather untidy pass out to Nel. of Wales and

a rather untidy pass out to Nel. Scotland and then very similar

position to the last one, perhaps closer and a chance to meet at the

break. Scotland are doing better than last week and respecting

possession. The penalty came, putting the Welsh defence under

pressure. Samson Lee, penalised, much better from Scotland. Running

on again. The tackle is made, Samson Lee goes to ground. Stop it there.

There he is, as clear as daylight. Samson Lee, carry on. He is not

rolling away. That is the penalty. And have spotted Samson Lee

otherwise! -- couldn't have spotted. He has had his struggles with

injuries. Not everybody knows the game as well as you, Andrew!

Laidlaw, into the red, last kick of the first half. Laidlaw's kick, the

Scotland captain gives the visitors the lead at half-time and after the

start that Wales made, you would not bet that was the result have painful

than I think they deserve to be in fun, and the last half an hour they

have dominated possession, dominated territory and turned all that

pressure into points. They will be very happy with a 3-point lead at

half-time. Intriguing match. All here skill and helter-skelter

and a great entertainment. This is Seymour's try that squared things up

for Scotland and as Jonathan and everybody else was seeing,

deservedly leading by the narrowest margin at half-time. The sticks at a

quarter of an hour -- the statistics after quarter of an hour would be

very different to what they are now. 20 more tackles for Wales because

Scotland had an awful run with the ball. Not often you see Scotland

with an ascendancy of possession in matches.

A bit of a Cheshire cat at the moment. Really good 40 minutes for

Scotland, what I wanted to see, the off-loading game. Four off-loads and

Greg Laidlaw is running with the ball. England coming off him, Tommy

Seymour putting himself all over the place. That has been exactly the

type of game that we wanted to see because that is what wins are the

best in the players. We didn't see it last week. They got the quick

ball. Allowed the ball to be freed up to allow the backline to come

onto it, they have done well there and you see what a different team,

any team is a different team when you have got quick ball. The most

disappointing part from Wales. The two Scottish boys have got the upper

hand in the first-half recycling of all, has been fantastic. A

fascinating forward battle. One side is on top and then the other. Wales

are stopping this Scottish ball. Charteris has been fantastic and the

full credit to Scotland, they deserve to be in front. The

willingness to carry the ball strongly into space to create the

quick ball and Wales are trying their best as well, it is a

compelling game of rugby. Compelling game but we spent much of the last

35 Mets asking whether it was a try not. It was a try, given as a try

legally, we will question is, great chip by Biggar will stop Roberts

goes up. Davies is in front of the ball when it was kicked. If Duncan

Taylor had touched that he would have been onside but Jamie Robinson

knocks it back to him and he wasn't fun, a question about whether when

forward, it had to because that is where he was not Davies was in front

of the ball which puts him offside. Strictly were you said it is also,

we were admiring the finish. Unbelievable finish. By the letter

of the law it shouldn't have been allowed. We have the TMO to make the

decisions right, they can look at this very closely because he was

asked by Clancy, is it a try and you can see there was

asked by Clancy, is it a try and you is the wrong decision and that is

why I am more disappointed it has gone to the TMO and the system has

broken down because he has made the wrong call. We have got 32 cameras

on this match but this is the great thing, the more cameras you have,

the more angles you have and the more ability to make the right

decision, there can be no excuse of not having the right angle, we have

the angle on everything. When it happens in the last five minutes

that can affect the outcome of the result but that try might be the

difference, we don't know what is good to happen, you have the

technology, you have the process and the protocol. You must get the right

decision. After 20 odd phases of play, Scotland scored a try. An

outstanding team try. Everything Scotland in the last week that Greg

Laidlaw, he is only able to do that because of quick ball, defence are

now thinking, look at the Gap, he goes through it, he does get through

and look now, the red jerseys having to go back, Scotland are coming

forward and there is Dan Biggar, try to marshal the truth and get them

out there because he knows there are numbers and a great debt of scanning

from Russell, he sees where the gap is, beautifully weighted kick and

Seymour gets it done, 21 phases and it is the execution of all the

skill. The passing, the kicking, brilliant try. Everything they did

against England. Today they have jumped over the trapdoor and got

back to scoring tries. If you look at the Welsh defenders when Laidlaw

has got the ball. They analyse Scotland to death. He has played

heads up and got them on the front foot. This match over the years has

produced some classic tries. Stuart Hogg might have been on the end of

one of the great tries. He ran up the other side, the try from Jim

Calder. He didn't get away. This quite hard, good kick, Scotland have

done outstanding in the aerial battle. Tommy Seymour, having lost

the initial one, good pressure coming in. Barkley gets its year and

it opens up, look at the foot race, he is desperate for a blue shirt,

look at Stuart Hogg, there is the line and John Barclay just seeds

that from Stuart Hogg and he might go for the try. He put boot to ball

and went into touch. Almost a great try. He has got to pass that ball,

you have to keep that in hand, the Welsh defence can relax. George has

got it covered. 50-50 against Tom James. We would love to see the

contest to see if we good outset Tom James. You could see Hogg doing the

Phil Bennett step. After a sensational, Arfield 's catch on the

boundary, but such a key player to Scotland Jadhav attack. Slides in

and catches it well, stands up, that was Match of the Day, he would be

sent off! Never takes his eye off the ball but he clearly goes on and

just catches him. His knee goes on to his head because he was pointing

at his head. Big loss. Scotland yet invest their last week and today he

has looked really good. She is exactly the type of player you

has looked really good. She is open field runner and he has the

pace to get through. What do you make of the Welsh back division? One

pace to get through. What do you passage of play at the end when they

pace to get through. What do you ship the ball 30 metres back. Could

pressure. They haven't set the world alight will stop apart from the

first ten minutes it has been Scotland and really surprising when

Wales went for the first try, you think it could be a long afternoon.

They haven't clicked again which is disappointing. Stark contrast to the

game in Paris, along afternoon for the fans. Founder well for the

French at the end. A very stodgy affair but Johnny

Sexton was resolute in his goal-kicking. Ireland lead at

half-time, as they had done last week, Wales came back to snatch a

draw. With ten minutes to go France snatched the match through Maxi

Medard. The full-back! He has scored and the

conversion is easy and France take the lead.

The conversion was made and that means that France are two from two

and if they have grand slam aspirations they will have 2-1 the

next couple. -- have two win the next couple. Plymouth

next couple. -- have two win the Jones mastermind what he hopes

Having been in the game in the well be a thrashing of

Having been in the game in the well you have to enjoy the media.

Having been in the game in the well English sport, sound bite king of

the oval ball and has been talking to Sonia McLaughlin.

In England particularly in the media, like try to do is do a good

service. You have told England to go out and smack Italy, what are you

try to achieve with language like that? Italy are going to give us a

very tough game and it will be very, to angle hard at first but I want

our players to go there with confidence, believing in themselves

and backing the ability and one of the things that haven't done in the

past is back their ability enough. Isn't it inflammatory to say to give

Italy a good hiding? Isn't that what they want to do to us? It could be

viewed as disrespectful in advance? Every game of rugby you want to do

that, everything can come back and haunt you, if you were worried about

that, you would never cross the street for a few of being run over.

You have to have confidence in believing what you are doing and I

want side to believe that we can be the most ominous team in Europe and

we want to do things differently against Italy than we did against

Scotland and worry about the game after that. Are you try to give the

players on their toes? We always try to give the players on their toes.

Anyone who is comfortable does not play to their potential, we want the

team to have a little bit of edge. Why not blood some young guns

against Italy? At the start and see what they can do. We have three the

23, and many do you want? We look at the side of 23. Those guys have an

enormous opportunity. It gets harder for England after Rome, so why not

throw the men at the start what might you never throw something in

the pool unless you know it can swim. For England favourites for the

title? We win the game on Sunday and take it from there. Can find out

what happens tomorrow. Couple of Irish fans expect to say

how disappointed they were with Ireland at the performance in Paris.

As far as the second half is concerned, now with leading at

half-time and not winning at the end, so what do Scotland have to do

in the second half? Exactly what they did in the first half, Clayton

Geathers multiphase game going and try to get the football, we know

that Wales will be in the changing room try to stop the quick ball, so

that is the challenge. It is working so well, so go out and do it, keep

playing and express yourself. Russell has made mistakes but also

been trying things which is great. Stuart Hall could go off. Ruaridh

Jackson is a good player. He knows what he's doing, another

ball-carrier and ballplayer and much the same. Don't change it. A few

choice words in the changing room from Warren Gatland and Shawn

Williams. They look a yard off the Scottish guys in the breakdown. Set

piece is very iffy-50. I expect them to go after Jackson with a high

ball. Wales have got confused around the white game. They have to

remember what they have got to do to get wide and that is winning the

breakdown. Jimmy Roberts, George North, sucking in the Scottish

defence. That will allow them to go wide. From the great American tennis

now, when you Jimmy Connors for the first time in his life having lost

the first 16 meetings, he walked into the press conference after the

match and said, I told you, nobody beats me seven times -- 17 times in

a row! I wonder if the Scots are thinking that nobody beats us

maintains in a row. That is the objective and have given themselves

a real chance. That will have been a good half-time team talk for Vern

Cotter, and you go, do it again and let's get a win. Wales have got a

lot of experience on the replacements bench, Jenkins and

Lydia. Expect to see them on, from an entertainment perspective, let's

all the second half is a replica of the first.

One of the great fixtures of the game which has so often provided

incident and tries and drama. We will see what lies in store today.

The scrum-half scores! In will surely be a try for Scotland.

Scotland have three more points. The Scotland captain gives the visitors

the lead at half-time. The players are out for the second half of the

Principality Stadium, don't forget our red button forum, give us any

thoughts you have got. COMMENTATOR: What Martin said, it is a 23 man

game and Scotland have used a replacement already, he is not on

the bench, but could probably still do a job! Wales have got a good

bench, slightly better bench than Scotland, we will see how goes.

Tipuric is upended as he takes it down. Dan Biggar from just inside

his own 22 sends it to Ruaridh Jackson. Stuart

his own 22 sends it to Ruaridh minutes with an injury.

That is a very good kick as well. Quickly taken by Wales. Biggar has a

little bit of time to play with. Running onto this one is Seymour,

try scorer for the visitors in the first half, chasing down his own

kick. Winning the battle against the huge number eight. Lovely kick into

the corner as well from Laidlaw. Tommy Seymour has certainly played

his part. He has won everything in the air, he beats Faletau.

Bit of a lack of communication. The right-winger is on the floor and the

scrum-half kicks to the right side. Davies carried, there. Line-out won

well by Wales. It gives Biggar the chance to clear. Jackson just watch

it go. Little bit of a communication breakdown. It was a Catch-22, if he

caught it, would his breakdown. It was a Catch-22, if he

taken him into touch? I would have liked to have seen him catch that

I'm really have a go to keep the momentum up. He was in two minds. At

least it is the Scottish throne and they can restart with it. -- the

Scottish throw. Looked like it might have gone forward from Laidlaw but

worked well. Laid back by Denton and Russell. John Hardie take the

poisoned gift. Have that one. Bit of uncertainty in the Scottish ranks.

But no mistakes. Just kept hold of the ball. If you've got the ball you

are in control of the game. Jonny Gray tumbles over and Scotland,

again. Taylor sends it through, well directed kick beyond Williams. No

chance to take the quick one here, Scotland keeping Wales pegged back.

They need to plug that corner, two kicks already, that is the message

from Vern Cotter, to keep turning Wales. Recovering from a bruising

encounter last weekend. They can put them under pressure near the

encounter last weekend. They can put And the line-out disrupted but

encounter last weekend. They can put illegally so. Wales will have the

free kick. Closing the gap is the infringement. Yeah, it's very

difficult... Ooh, hang on. A free kick, not going for touch, just

depth. There's a lot of aimless kicking in the Welsh team at the

moment. Faletau now. Not scenes at running from Faletau today. Davies

gives it to Biggar, and free kick is charged down, it comes the way of

Scott Baldwin. Dan Biggar again. Not seeing much of a game plan here at

the moment from Wales. Infield to Sean Lamont, not known for his

kicking prowess. Between Williams and Biggar he goes. Little bit of

rugby tennis at the moment. Again, and Biggar he goes. Little bit of

think... Delayed and delayed. Wales and Biggar he goes. Little bit of

have it now and have a chance, George North out into the open. He

has got support outside. George North out into the open. He

around. They come racing up looking for him, but Wales to the edges of

the 22. Carried on by for him, but Wales to the edges of

Charteris goes to ground and Wales come through, and Faletau tries to

get the pass away but Seymour has it. Offside, number four. Advantage

being played. He went for the miracle ball. Offside in a previous

play. What a break, and initially by Davies. This tackle is made by a

loosehead prop, Alasdair Dickinson. Fantastic tackle.

He'll be happy to get his hands on the ball and season space ahead of

him. Good counterattack. Wonderful tackle by Alasdair Dickinson. Quiet

game so far from North. Scored a tackle by Alasdair Dickinson. Quiet

years ago, but then tackle by Alasdair Dickinson. Quiet

players scored in that fixture. George

players scored in that fixture. his hands on the ball. Rare chance

to show what he could do, there. You can see how important the kicking

game is now, can't you? Scotland I just think, look, there you go, we

are going to put you back in your own 22, show us what you've got.

Surely soon to be 13-13. Biggar. So, Wales with the first points of

this second half and we are level again inside the principality

stadium. First points of the second half are always crucial. We saw a

lot of kicking, it was almost who would blink first. First blood to

Wales in the second half. The restart is high and long and Biggar

takes it down again. Busy, busy man. Davies just looking at the options.

Sends the box-kick over himself, into touch. Important that kick went

out, from Wales's perspective. From a normal box-kick he would be the

kick chase. If it was kept in, it would have been a target for

Scotland to run it. So, Wales are making three substitutions, here.

Couple of changes in the front row, and Luke Charteris is going off as

well. Jenkins coming on, Bradley Davies. Ken Owens as well. Early in

the second half to ring the changes. We have talked about these great

replacements Wales have. Experience. Very good at turning ball over,

Gethin Jenkins. Bradley Davies comes on fresh, now. Scotland's line-out

is in trouble. Ken Owens gets an early touch. Up it goes from Davies.

They are all on site. He's made up for the poor kick. Samson Lee, long

held ambition to play scrum-half. Faletau.

Davies to Biggar, along to Jonathan Davies. The kick is half charged

down. Chance to play a bit of football coming forward, and Jackson

now trying to get the ball wide, just couldn't quite get it there in

time. Into the 22, the mark is called. Somewhere Stuart Hogg's lake

is twitching in the stands. Jackson did very well. Gambled, went up for

it. So many half charged down kicks. Gareth Davies getting some

treatment. The game is so open. You've got to keep your

concentration mighty high. Ruaridh Jackson nearly scuffs the roof with

that kick, and down it comes to Williams. Kick charged down again.

Richie Gray, hard to get the ball over him. He takes his man down.

Scotland piling into that rock, looking for the turnover. Still with

rails. Davies back on his feet and kicking, and Ruaridh Jackson comes

forward, just into touch. Wales line-out. I would like to see that

again. He's not convinced he stood on the touchline. We will soon find

out. Yes, well done, assistant referee. He has made the right call.

Wales line-out, which has gone well today. It goes well again, to

Faletau. Plenty of success in the line-out, Wales. Slow ball again,

isn't it? Very, very slow ball. Chip over from North, Laidlaw can pass it

back. That's a meeting of two strong winners in Lamont and George North.

WP Nel. Grinding that is slowly, here,

taking their time. And Laidlaw send it down. Davies with a bit more time

to feed Williams. Wide it goes now, and here come Wales through James

and Robertson, on to Jonathan Davies. The left boot gives it away

again. Not engaging in defence whatsoever. And the mistake from

Liam Williams right in the centre of the field. Came from nowhere. Rare

mistake from the gifted full-back. So much aimless kicking going on,

someone needs to grab this game by the scruff of the neck. Here is the

knock-on. Yes. You won't get a cleaner knock-on than that. Since

half-time you are right, the kicking was so good and precise in the first

half, but there have been so many charge downs and aimless kicks. As

the game opens up like this, you have to remember that Wales played

that bruising encounter six days ago. A lot of toing and froing,

turnovers, hard yards covered. Scrum right in the centre of the field,

just inside the 22. The ball is not coming back, there.

Scotland have the free kick, though. What's the option here? Just take

the scrum again, says great Laidlaw. It's a good attacking platform

again. So much rests... Great Laidlaw asks George Clancy to

clarify the decision. Such a great opportunity to attack from this

platform. He can go left or right. The most crucial defender here is

Gareth Davies for Wales, in the nine position, whether he goes right or

left. Link in with a first offender on either side. -- the first

defender. Next up is penalties, says George Clancy. Both down to early,

now. Surely if they are both down too early, they are both on time.

Solid scrum from Scotland. Down it goes, and a penalty to Scotland to

loud applause from their captain, the scrum-half, shortly to be their

kicker. Loosehead coming down. Loud huzzahs and smiles from everyone on

the Scotland side. He goes down early. That's

the Scotland side. He goes down the assistant referee. Think this is

the easiest kick of the day. The last one faced by Dan Biggar to draw

level was similar for Wales. Greig Laidlaw straight in front of the

posts. So, Scotland in front again in Cardiff with 15 minutes played in

this second half. Been a scrappy second half so far. We see Dan

Biggar coming up to kick this, looks as though he's carrying that left

ankle. Vern Cotter and Jonathan Humphreys will be the happier of the

coaches at the moment, I assume. Keep a keen eye on Biggar. He sends

at the way of Denton, here. Laidlaw again sends it for lab wants

to chase. Jonny Gray can't quite get away. Scotland fling their arms out

Steal is good, says the referee, so in complaint. Incomes

Steal is good, says the referee, so Scotland have turned it over. Again,

turned over ball, you are thinking, why do

turned over ball, you are thinking, sends it up now. Laidlaw under a bit

of pressure. Russell's kick charged down. A war of charge downs and

misplaced kicks at the moment. And penalty to Scotland. But there is a

lack of shape from both sides in the second half. I can see what Scotland

are trying to do, they are trying to play the game in the Wales half.

Somewhere near the 22 metre area. They are going to say, right, you

haven't scored many tries, let's see what you can do from distance. They

will be happy to sneak this with a couple of penalties and win it. But

as Wales, if Scotland are going to kick, you have to counter attack.

Get behind the ball, and the backs going. Keep the ball,

build possession, and then maybe get something in the opposition half.

You can see what Scotland is trying to do. At the moment I'm not sure I

see what Wales is trying to do. to do. At the moment I'm not sure I

Wales have not had ball to play with, they have pinched three or

four of Scotland's line-outs. with, they have pinched three or

Scotland will try and get the ball moving, and away comes John

Scotland will try and get the ball sneaking down the blindside. Loses

the ball, and Tom James out into the open, flying down the wing. Pinning

back his ears come he's being hunted down. What covering defence. The

ball is out, and it is anybody's now. Bradley Davies has it. Got to

go wide. They are crying for it out wide for Wales. Gareth Davies moves

it now, wide for Wales. Gareth Davies moves

George North. North can't quite get his hands on it. And out it goes.

What a chance, what a break, what a chase and covering tackle. I thought

James was in, chase and covering tackle. I thought

going to get him in the first 20 minutes but he kept that space

between the chaser. Loses the ball, Hardie, and then he's away. Keep

your eyes on the guy with the white boots, Duncan Taylor. He gets his

angles right and he focuses on where he's going to catch on. And this is

the kick. Here we are, is it a knock-on or not? Doesn't really

matter, it is an attacking line-out. Again, Scotland make that error,

which gives Wales this position. Ross Ford's line-out under real

pressure. Fund walled by Laidlaw. -- fumbled. Five metre scrum to Wales.

As you say, the line-out, they have managed to stop Wales scoring the

try, you think, you hit the jump, managed to stop Wales scoring the

you get the ball out and you kick it. Think I can see Stuart McAnally

warming up. -- McInally warming up. What a difference 30 seconds make.

Says it all. He is an ex-international hooker. You've got

to nail those. The throw was good in the previous line-out. The Peel

round the front from Hardie was good, then the turnover came.

Incredible 30 seconds, swinging the momentum from Scotland's favour to

the favour of the Welsh. Greig Laidlaw has to knock it. This is

where you have to open your legs, pick up your knees. Tommy Seymour

can't make it, Duncan Taylor can. A player that has come on so much in

the last year at Saracens. Almost the first name on the team sheet,

Duncan Taylor. When you play in a team winning all the time, your

confidence grows. What the position for Wales. Much noise inside this

great stadium. Samson Lee pops up. And the decision

is... Scrum again, George Clancy says. Standing off well, then it

went to a complete shambles. Into the final quarter of this

enthralling match. It's at moments like this, this scrum, this next

passage of play, whole matches can hinge on this dark corners of the

game. Nobody on the blindside therefore Wales. George North

lurking behind the scrum. "Wales, Wales" Is the rallying cry again. No

quarter given by the Scottish scrum, here, so Wales have to use it.

Davies gives it to Roberts, and Jamie Roberts held short for now.

Gareth Davies gives it wide. Scotland's defence struggling back.

Metres short, it goes out wide again. Great tackle, Nel flinging

himself at the knees of Tipuric. Penalty, of side, Scotland. One or

two heroic tackles from Scotland, initially a good scrum.

. They are going for the scrum. A statement of intent from Wales,

here. Straightforward three points but they are going for the scrum.

Round the corner, running hard. Low and hard. Good tackle. Very good

tackle. That was the last action Tipuric, because he is off. Dan

Lydiate is not a bad man to have in reserve. No. Think a lot of

questions have been asked about whether the balance is right in the

back row with two openside flanker is. Now they are at the classic

combination they had for so long of Lydiate, Warburton and Faletau.

Crucial period of the match. Crucial for Wales. Turned down the

opportunity of three points. Taylor is very wide defensively. See him

there with the posts? Laidlaw may fill that gap. I know it's very loud

but listen to Michael. It's going to be loud, there are 74,000 people

here. It all adds to the tension of this moment.

You will do anything to drive your pack on to greater heights. These

are the moments for the stout hearts in the pack. What a position for

Wales. Some of these players welcoming the

breather. Some blood has been spotted. Think it's on Samson Lee.

The players will not want him to be off for a blood replacement.

Wales getting a bit of a nudge, Faletau looking. Scotland with a big

shove on, now. Clancy having a long look, here, Wales still have it.

Faletau with his hands upon it. Wales still with an opportunity.

Bradley Davies goes on himself, into the arms of Jonny Gray. Crashing

through come Wales, looking to open the gap to the line, they score! And

its Jamie Roberts who gets down. Wales have the try, Wales have

believed. Quarter of an hour to go, they are in front in Cardiff. You've

got to keep Wales outside of the 22. Pressure, pressure, pressure. Great

running onto the ball come a great effort from Jamie Roberts. Don't

know if anybody have stopped that man from so close.

Here he comes, flat-out, two big collisions and he still makes the

line. Brilliant run, on the blindside of Nel. Nel is watching,

scanning. He runs the blindside shoulder. Tell you what, it was a

great hit by the two Scottish players. Momentum took him over.

Defended so well, Scotland, but to no avail in the end. Roberts with

that 17 and a half stone driving hard. The energy and commitment from

both sides. Jamie Roberts shows what it means. Fresh legs have been

brought on by Scotland. The last act for a lot of those Scottish players

in defence, fruitless ultimately. McInally has come on, Gordon Reid is

on at loosehead prop. Blair Cowan is on the John Barclay as well. So the

final 14 minutes of this game, four points in it. Wales in front for the

first time in a long while. Wales now attacking with some freedom to

Jonathan Davies. Making good ground. George Clancy was whistle ready.

Jonathan Davies. Making good ground. Carried in by Ken Owens.

Jonathan Davies. Making good ground. about Wales now. Biggar gets that

Jonathan Davies. Making good ground. kick away. Ruaridh Jackson returns

it well, kick away. Ruaridh Jackson returns

has done very well indeed. Really good kick by Rory Jackson to

has done very well indeed. Really his lines. --

Stuart Hogg had already made 54 metres, that's how big a mess that

man is. The Wales line-out fails. But a fumble from Nel, so Wales have

the scrum. Not expecting it. But a fumble from Nel, so Wales have

been such an important player for Scotland, Nel. That tackle on the

line two or three minutes ago. A good player. What do you make of

Hidalgo-Clyne? I think he's such a threat from scrum-half. Do you bring

him on? He's a good try scorer. Do you replace your captain? More

importantly your goalkicker, in a tight match, that's a call that has

to be made. Finn Russell is a competent kicker, isn't he? I think

Greig Laidlaw has competent kicker, isn't he? I think

today. He has but sometimes you need to make changes

today. He has but sometimes you need is a 23 man game. It has to be a 23

man game which has been hard hat in, -- been

man game which has been hard hat in, times. Alasdair Dickinson is off,

replaced by Gordon Reid. Penalty to Wales in this scrum. That is a big,

big call. He's got McInally leaning in, I think. That is a silly

decision if that is the case. It now gives Wales fantastic field

position. For Biggar to try and find a good touch. Wales will take their

time getting to this line-out. Wales will want to keep their hands on the

ball, try and strangle the game. Jonny Gray is making way. Simpson

coming on in the second row. Finn Russell is off as well, Duncan Weir

will be on. I find that a very difficult substitution because Finn

Russell is the creative guy, isn't he? The creative stand-off. Nothing

against Duncan Weir, but he is renowned as a kicker. Big call, I

think. The Wales line-out safe and sound. Biggar takes it, Roberts

piling himself in on the cannonball. Faletau. Good tackle first up.

Struggling as well. Gordon Reid now wide to Denton. This time he spills.

Wales have the ball to play with again. Bradley Davies still playing

advantage for that knock-on. A lengthy one for a knock-on. I quite

like a long advantage, it is good for us spectators to watch. Good

line initially, then under pressure. That man, Jamie Roberts. Richie Gray

is down. Nel is feeling his calf as well. Doesn't look too good for prop

forward. He's had a lot of calf problems.

That is the last ten minutes when they have played most of the rugby

in the Scottish half. They want to throw the ball into Lien Williams's

hand. Those are the players. Seymour. -- Lien Williams.

Wasn't the finest game in Paris earlier today and the weather had a

large say in that. Huge man on for Wales. As against Reid and will be

feeling the pressure. Wales with the attack again, North still going.

George North, all the way for the try for George North. And we'll

surely have it now. Still ten minutes to go but George North

almost didn't have to use his great strength, unopposed. Flying in a

wonderful line and another try for George North. He has been under

pressure to score tries and he has done exceptionally well today. This

is a simple drop-off, and missed tackle, two missed tackles the end

of folding and not seeing the play. That is a brilliant finish, but

defensively poor from Scotland. Just went too quickly, worried about

Jamie Robinson, he was in the picture back to George North, good

timing, inside Laidlaw and Hardie. Both chasing the ball and the

crucial score at a crucial moment for Wales.

Regi again -- bigger Biggar again will

through it goes on the stadium has come to life for the Welsh fans.

George North's try and Wales with the turnaround. Difficult title for

greatly Laidlaw to make. Shouldn't be sliding that hard, the ball has

not moved across the field. Huge gap, fishing out too early, over

reading the play. Very good finish. These of the try that will frustrate

cultures. Do Scotland have the belief? Long way back now for

Scotland, 11 points adrift. The book comes in. Side entry says George

Clancy. You can score so soon after conceding points. They can try to

shift the momentum back. The clock is against them, they have to go for

the try. They need two tries. We have seen some astonishing finishes

in this stadium, not least excusable, a game that Chris Leydon,

Scotland where ten point in front -- played in. Comes back untidily

through Gray. Cowan. Going to scrabble his way over. Scotland

looking for the pace of play that brought their try. Onto Cowan again.

Swinson. Q2 many mistakes creeping into the Scotland game for their

liking. The concentration is dropping. Disappointing for WP Nel.

That is the last two will stop you to get his hands on the ball will

stop Davies has come on and put a lot of pressure, tackling high and

try to put the ball in. Have a look at the tackles. Crucial statistics.

George North has gone on the scoresheet, inside Laidlaw and Ben

Cowan and Hardie slide, you don't slide across the field until it has

moved across slide across the field until it has

came back on the inside. Crucial time to score for Wales. Long break

for treatment for a few players, it has been hard work here for both

sides, fresh legs on the field. Front row almost entirely changed,

only Nel remains. Davis to Biggar. Ruaridh Jackson

sets off. Five this week between Faletau and Roberts. Still there for

Scotland but time running out. Weir under pressure.

Laidlaw. Carried in by Seymour. Scarcely deserves to be

Laidlaw. Carried in by Seymour. losing team. Roberts bumping Cowan.

I don't know if you knows what way he is rolling over. Felix and a bit

of bother, as you would be. he is rolling over. Felix and a bit

malicious in that at all, just he is rolling over. Felix and a bit

bravery from both parties. Jamie Robinson, similar to last week. Guys

on the outside coming in from the Robinson, similar to last week. Guys

blindside. Huge collision. Have that. His lines beat has been

brilliant today. He has forced them back in and that just typifies his

effort I wish you would get his head on the right side.

Blair Cowan is done for the day after that one, no chances taken

after any thoughts of concussion he would have ten minutes off to finish

things. Rhys He rose from the sick bed and made

fly-half beside Dan Biggar. He rose from the sick bed and made

everything well again. Kicking game, the aerial battle. He is so

competent and so competitive and understands the game plan so well.

Another good game from Dan Biggar. Just over four minutes remaining.

The task beyond Scotland now but it is there a ball. Wales will have it

now. Scotland crumbling as Wales come again through North.

The defensive work at McInally. The ball is out and Wales have got it.

North is caught by McInally. He has been very industrious. Faletau. You

get his way around Swinson. Back it comes to Priestland, first touch.

get his way around Swinson. Back it kick. Manages to find Ruaridh

Jackson who is under pressure from Ken Owens. Penalty to Scotland.

Hidalgo-Clyne is about to come on for Laidlaw as Weir looks for touch

from this penalty. Scotland's line-out. Man of the match time. It

has been difficult, Seymour has had a very good game, Laidlaw has had a

very good game, Faletau good for me this man, Jamie Roberts, his line

speed has forced Scotland to play and said, they want to play

attractive rugby, couple of big hits and then the try. Makes up for his

Varsity match disappointment! Hidalgo-Clyne on. Replacement at

scrum-half. As to swivel and give it onto Sean Lamont. Barkley thought he

was off the day. You feel like Sullenberger in

position to win this match. A couple of mistakes. Just given Wales that

momentum. Wheels all on their feet. Payback. Not given any space for

Scotland to attack will stop Hidalgo-Clyne gives it onto Barclay.

Tire figures on both sides. Ruaridh Jackson. Chance year. It is Taylor.

Tire figures on both sides. Ruaridh He will score for Scotland. They

might not win the match but they have finished with a flourish.

Scotland have another try and Duncan Taylor has his first for Scotland.

Good score, just when you said Wales on their feet. The ball on the back

to Ruaridh Jackson comedy delays his powers, what a line by Duncan Taylor

and the step off the left foot breaking through the tackle and a

good score from Duncan Taylor. That is a great ball by Jackson. Just

puts it through, he runs in. Delayed is a great ball by Jackson. Just

pass, the timing of the run from Taylor. Scotland will have a chance

from the restart. They will have one chance. I said Scotland might not

win this game but as you have seen in this fixture, you never know.

Great all from Jackson, he just holds and holds. Great angle from

Duncan Taylor, and scum will be unhappy with the missed tackle. That

is a good finish. All about the restart, this is the last passage of

play. They have to go long. The ball cannot go straight into touch, it

has to touch the field of play. Got to go long. Priestland goes to that

corner. Swinson from Scotland takes it down. Ugly pass from

Hidalgo-Clyne. The scrum-half's mistake. The game is over, what a

game we have seen, what a turnaround from Wales, they were under threat.

A rare first win year, Scotland were looking for it. Wales have found

their pace and skill and won the match. They got into the right

positions and from there their power players stepped up and they scored

the try is that they wanted. If Scotland would have cut out their

errors. Play in the right areas, very difficult to stop the big

ball-carriers. Bollinger assured again. That will frustrate the

players on the coaching staff. Wales looked tired after 60 minutes.

Fantastic Six Nations encounter here. Wales move on to France. Their

title challenge is very much alive. France coming off the back of two

wins, coming here they have to play better, have to pick their game up

again. For Scotland it is small consolation that there are signs

again of life. There are encouraging signs. Wales are one of the

favourites for this title. This stakes are one of the key things

they have to iron out but the try scoring ability was much better. A

try apiece in the first half when Gareth Davies got things going and

Scotland lead at half-time 13-10, Wales turned it around in the middle

15 minutes of the second half, the try from Jamie Roberts. Duncan

Taylor with the League 1 for Scotland, 3-2, 20 7-23. Let's hear

from the man of the match, Jamie Roberts.

Congratulations, man of the match, what a fantastic performance, if

last bit was about the tackles, this one was about the try under revival,

just listen to the crowd! Good game of rugby today, Scotland defended

very well. They put us under a bit of pressure and we knew it we did

keep the ball for a couple of phases, it would have been nice for

James to score that. Win is a win, fair to Scotland. The guys are

enjoying it, I win at home, the support is incredible. ? What was

said at half-time because it was a bit of a scrappy second half but

Wales came out firing. Just to tighten up on the rock. Greg Laidlaw

is a good running nine stop he is a dangerous player. Didn't get into

position quick enough, we were on the fringes and we tidied it up

second-half will stop wouldn't let them get on the front foot.

Congratulations, well done. Sam, how would you sum up Wales's performance

today? We had to work hard. We knew Scotland were going to turn up, we

saw how they played in the World Cup, last week as well and we knew

it would be an immense challenge. Tough situation this year, it is

wide-open in the first half wasn't great, didn't keep the ball in the

attack, he to do better in defence and we sorted it out a bit. In terms

of the Wales we are seeing in this competition, Freddie think you guys

are if last week you had the frustrating drop seems like you find

your feet as this match went on. We gradually get better as the

tournament goes on. Little bit better last week, we came out the

blocks pooling and really slow. Scotland played fantastically, and

they deserved to be 0- two. Competitive side.

Some desolate figures in the Scottish huddle. Here's Greg

Laidlaw. What do

that you were beaten tonight? Doesn't get any easier, we are

getting close and we are doing so many good things, a couple of soft

moments and it really cost us. Shows we can score tries ourselves and now

we just need to back ourselves. Unfortunately the past went awry and

we gave them the game. Such a strong first-half, a scrappy second half,

Freddie think Wales won tonight? You always give credit to the opposition

who win and where better in the day. -- where do you think Wales won

tonight? We have to keep squeezing them and we got field position and

then lost the line-out and giving death penalties away. Letting them

off the hook. -- Daft penalties. We predict that the high-scoring match,

we said there would be 50 points in it and there were.

A game in stark contrast to the stodgy affair in France today.

As the Millennium Stadium clears, 74,000 people at the bars and pubs

of Cardiff city centre, an awful lot of them to talk about, not least, we

ended our half-time chat by seeing, who knows, Davies's try in the first

five minutes could be the difference in the side at the end and so it has

turned out. Wales have got that game won and

Scotland fought their way back, 5-point game and it was a very

contentious decision. 5-point game and it was a very

over this, as you can imagine. He is in front of the ball there when

Jamie Robinson touches in front of the ball there when

irrespective that in front of the ball there when

Davies is never onside and that is why it shouldn't be a try. I agree.

We will get a close-up of it. Jamie Roberts and Taylor go up, the first

touch comes from Jamie Roberts on to Duncan Taylor's hand, has Jamie

touches the ball, Davies is offside and that stance. Scotland were

unlucky not to get that decision. It was a great finish but we will look

back on this. It shouldn't have been allowed. Sometimes you don't get the

breaks. You don't want to sound condescending, they were very brave.

A bad decision on an incorrect decision made in the fifth minute

can be every bit as influential as a bad decision made five minutes from

time. Scotland are getting close, a lot of good play there today, they

fell out of the game for 50 minutes in the second half and it took the

game away, Wales, with their power players, they had a big influence in

20 minutes, Scotland were powerless to stop that. Some great teams in

the world will struggle against North and Roberts when they get the

power game going but they fought back with a try at the end. Would

you fancy tackling Jamie Roberts from five yards out running at that

angle? I missed him many times in training, they reverted to type in

the second half, early on they could go wide. Look at the angle, just out

of shot. Tight at this stage of the game, not looking at what is coming

from the outside. John Hardie has just picked him up onside, such a

fantastic angle when you are so big and strong, he is virtually

unstoppable from a few metres out. A key point in the game, I go back

again, Wales had an opportunity for three points, they were brave

enough, they had been in these situations, they have won games and

a huge turning point. He was monumental last week in Dublin. And

rightfully again today. Just a huge force for Wales. Jamie Robinson

exceeds four inches and 17 stone 13. George North ending his try drought,

is this a brilliant piece of innovative running, or questions to

be asked about the Scottish defence? Definitely questions to be asked,

players get confidence from going on a break, this was early on in the

second half, George North got on that and we didn't really see him in

the first half and maybe that just gave us bark to get him going, but

this is the try, he comes back in, steps back in. Denton, that is his

face, it is not a missed tackle Cowan has got to get that space, it

is a system error. Any time anybody comes back in and Stetson is the

person who has to take it, their responsibility is not to corner flag

and get out, their responsibility is that space, it is a system error.

Brilliantly taken, but at no point is there a gap until the end when

Scotland run out of the line of defenders and he has just run round

the edge. If you look back over the Scottish back row and defence, you

would be distraught. One-on-one initially with Laidlaw. Where should

they have been? The corner flag. Running towards the corner. Instead

of giving your body square on. Might not be like George North, but you

have to keep your channel. All three of them made a schoolboy error. I

remember talking to you last weekend Martin and you said that off the

back of the game in the Calcutta Cup last week you saw similarities were

Scotland are now to where Wales where a decade at the half ago when

use of the couldn't win matches and you felt that once you had won one,

others would follow, how do you break the cycle? We sure that as

this district of the guy who won games 12 years ago in a very similar

spot. It took us until we had a Gavin Henson kicked in 2005 that

kick-started the next ten years, Scotland need something like that. I

thought when they were 16-13, somehow they have to be one of big

teams because there are stacks of talent in that team. The talent is

there, much better performance. Scotland had to get the win. Nine on

the bounce in the Six Nations. If they play like that, they can do

that. There was so much throughout the game, not just the end, but

Duncan Taylor had a big game today, came in from the injury in midweek.

Ruaridh Jackson just good of awareness, good step, good

Ruaridh Jackson just good of and he tackled well, against Jamie

Roberts. He defended brilliantly. He has been playing really well for

Saracens all season and I was pleased for him. The first try in

the first half by Seymour was just a fantastic team effort, kind of which

we didn't see that continuity of play last weekend. Definitely and it

came because Laidlaw cited interesting the Welsh defence.

Football, concede you, Laidlaw said that, scanning at his options, he

goes through the gap and gets it behind and after 20 phases, Dan

Biggar trying to get the defence over, then Russell sees the space

behind and Seymour gets it done and Taylor could have had a try there.

That was a great team try. In all sports that is about having

opportunities and converting opportunities.

opportunities and converting doing that in the past but scoring

two tries is a step forward. From a Welsh perspective, do you still look

at the Welsh team and think, in footballing speak, shots on target,

shots off target and still more shots off target. I think so, the

team is very experienced, they have won Grand Slams, they know how to

win begins, having developed, not so sure, they are tragically this wide

game and it is not quite coming off and finally look good for 20

minutes, they just go back to the big men. I think both teams have

moved on, Scotland will have gained confidence they can score tries and

I like the way Wales have gone from the wide game to realising at

half-time after chat with the coach that they have to go tight. Clearly

game where we are strong and where we can beat Scotland like we have

done in the past. We can hear from the ultimate try scoring hero for

Wales, George North. Liam Agnew scored plenty of tries in your

career but this one would have felt sweet, a little bit of a wait in

international rugby. It has been a while. Nice to get back in. The game

is a great game. First-half, try to put it right, very turnover

dominated and we came out strong and had 50 minutes of pressure, came

back with the points we needed and sometimes you have to win ugly. Very

different second half to first-half and the boys started eating switched

out wide, but how much did you had to change a game and were you

surprised at Scotland's performance? We knew Scotland

surprised at Scotland's performance? dig deep and we started not as

strongly as we wanted dig deep and we started not as

going in, three dig deep and we started not as

half-time. Some pressure and we came out strong second half. The boy

showed good character to come out and win at the end. Wales

traditionally get stronger as the competition goes on, is that what we

are seeing? If you say so. The way we play today, we have confidence

some things well with clarity. Keeping the pressure on the teams,

not letting them out, the first have showing our turnovers was crazy. We

had a lot of pressure in their half and it told with the results. George

North scoring a try for Wales today to give them that emphatic victory.

Conceded final match of the second weekend tomorrow. -- you can see the

final match. Point, with Williams says about

Martin Williams, Point, with Williams says about

made a really good fight Point, with Williams says about

show that international Point, with Williams says about

Dynamic players, Owens and Jenkins, Point, with Williams says about

know-how at the Point, with Williams says about

edge over Scotland. Point, with Williams says about

to play the full 80 minutes. They didn't bring on the 20-year-old and

Nel was struggling a few tents, tired, drop the ball a few times.

A much better performance this weekend, but how does it feel? Does

that loss get any easier? No. There will be information to take from

that game that will make us a little bit grumpier and we will use that to

push for our win. bit grumpier and we will use that to

about this game, we can focus on the next one, the attitude was better.

We will develop that attitude and take that on the field and produced