Wales v Scotland Six Nations Rugby

it, the louder Delilah gets, it is

so exciting.

I want to see Scotland

score those tries we saw in the

autumn, it is fantastic. The

execution and the accuracy. That is

what they need because they don't

want any scrums, a few scrums as

possible because of the relative

weakness in the front row. I am so

excited about seeing Scotland.

The one thing, if you look at tries,

there has always been a French

referee, you blow up and he will go

carry on, they are always great,

open games.

These guys up front need

to do the job because they can turn

it around, if the Scottish front row

get parity or just lose then it is a

huge bonus because everyone expects

them to be dominated. If they take

that away from Wales, they will be

thinking we are supposed to be

dominating and it's not happening.

They will be right in the game.

French referee, going forward,

generally you get penalties. It is

big for Scotland to hold out.

Let's

talk about Wales and the coach

Warren Gatland who has an

extraordinary record in the Six

Nations. He had a brief period at

Ireland, this is his 51st match in

charge during the Six Nations and

his win percentage is interesting. I

am sure Stuart Lancaster if he's

watching Michael Oher that with a

wry smile.

wry smile. -- might read that with a

wry smile. One of the things for

Warren Gatland is he has never lost

to Scotland.

Warren Gatland is the

court shoe has changed everything!

-- is the coach who has changed

everything!

What a try! Wales very much on the

front foot. Hope for Wales.

Williams! The most dramatic game.

Try, Shane Williams!

The momentum grows for Wales.

Gets Wales off to the perfect start.

An Scotland's greatest talent is

sent off. Wales emphatic winners.

Davies slips the tackle, might that

be the try? It is! All the way, what

a try!

You have a great record against

Scotland, in ten years at the helm,

this time fly when you're having

fun?

It certainly does, it's a great

championship, the best championship

in the world. Looking forward to

today, hopefully it'll be a great

game. I think it is brilliant for

the championship, the last couple of

years seeing a resurgence of

Scottish rugby and they are a real

threat.

A lot of noise and hype

around Scotland but Wales have

history on their side, what is the

game plan Weston I think we want to

play with pace.

Scotland they talk

about being organised chaos. Quick

taps and quick throws, we have to be

positive in how we play. Both teams

have agreed for the roof to be shut

and I think that's great.

In terms

of this side, we know there are ten

Scarlets in there, is it difficult

to not play the Scarlets game can

you put your own stamp on it?

I

think other teams are similar in

their game plans. There are some

slight differences. A lot of things

Scarlets do wells are quite similar

with as well. From an attacking

strategy anyway. It's about

combinations and guys being Somalia

with one another and bringing that

confidence -- and guys being

familiar with one another.

He has

been a long time, how does he keep

the players fresh and enthused?

I

think for the first game of the Six

Nations that is pretty easy. He will

take a lot of pride in his record

against Scotland and the fact he has

not lost to them. I think the front

five will have a lot of emotion, you

will see that early on, they would

like to scrum I think. You add into

that, a lot of teams play similar,

it's just Scarlets do it best

arguably out of the regions.

Scarlets boys, adding Jones and

Moriarty, and Josh Navidi in the

pack to bring that physical balance,

I think Wales will play best of

both. They will throw it around a

lot and they will be tight going

after the Scottish front five.

An

interesting clip released this week

about the Welsh rugby union which

sums up the Warren Gatland

philosophy and more.

Families come

first. Keep reiterating that. Any

issues you have got at home, any

problems, come and see us. Anything

we can help you with to make sure we

have got those things right and

things right off the field. If

things are right at home then

hopefully we get the best out of

you. On the training pitch and as a

performance point of view.

How much

is being an international coach

about coaching a team and how much

is it about man management, Martin?

It is important. I think he's a bit

different to Eddie

It is important. I think he's a bit

different to Eddie, saying I will

look after you, whereas Eddie says

you better play well or I will get

rid of you. When guys have issues

off the field it says there are guys

there to help them out because these

things are more important than

rugby. But if you can treat that

atmosphere where you think the coach

cares about you as a person it can

work. A lot of coaches are not like

that, it's the other way round, they

are ruthless. But he is trying to

foster something else.

He is very

thick skinned but he has had to be.

When you coach Wales you have to

take everything that comes with it.

He has copped flick on how they play

in the past. But he has managed the

players well, the style of play they

did have, they have those big ball

like Jamie Roberts, and physical

players, they play to suit the

players they had. Now that is maybe

why they are trying to change the

game. But I still think it's about

managing the game and it will be the

Scarlets way or the Welsh way, it's

just a winning way. The Scarlets

have built their success on their

line speed and aggressive tackling

and I think that will be key to put

pressure on Finn Russell, especially

if they are trying to run Peter

Ball, if the Scottish forward are

going backwards.

One final point

where you can maybe I'll chip in,

but if you look at the team sheet

you could say it's a pro 14 game

between Scarlets and Glasgow which

is of oversimplifying it. What makes

an international match so different?

From the Welsh perspective and I

imagine it's the same for Scotland

at Murrayfield, to have 75,000

people is a massive difference in in

intensity.

intensity. Averaging 60-70,000

people per game in the Six Nations

and you only play for your country

ten times a year maximum. You know

every time you play could be the

last time you play for your country.

That brings the extra 20% out.

It's

that bit faster and more intense and

with extra pressure. In a club game

you might have a fraction of the

second to think about the decision

and here you don't, you have to go

on instinct. Rhys Patchell we have

seen him play outstanding for

Scarlets but can he do it under this

pressure and intensity in this speed

of match and if he can, fantastic.

It comes down to handling the

pressure, you have more media in the

week, more people looking at you,

more interviews and millions

watching on TV, can you handle all

of that? Not just the game, the

build-up to it, can you cope with

the pressure?

That is the thing,

pressure on and off the field,

everything is quicker. If you think

you have time as a stand for

full-back, the spaces closed down.

Everything happens so much faster

and every mistake is magnified.

We

keep talking about Scarlets, ten of

whom are in the starting line-up but

there is one in the starting line-up

for Scotland as well and he is a

pretty important player.

This is the first time you started a

Six Nations as captain, incredible

to think how that came around

because you only came on as a

second-half substitute against

Ireland last year, started against

France and from that moment you have

led the team.

Yeah, I only started

against France because someone got

injured. It's strange, before that,

it's gone full circle, I was not

getting picked for a number of

years. I guess that's the fickle

nature of sport. When I was not

getting picked, you might find it

hard to believe but it wasn't too

bad because I was out of the bubble

of Scottish rugby, I was in Wales

and enjoying my rugby. I have a

young family and I was busy with

that and I was quite young and

thought I had time on my site to get

back on and I think you have to be

relatively philosophical about these

things.

You have been in Wales for

five years now. Your kids have been

born down there.

They speak Welsh.

Oh my goodness. That's a very

tight-knit family affair down there.

But you as the Scotland captain when

you play for Scarlets are also an

honorary Welshman?

Yes and that is

what is special about playing for

them. We played Bath a couple of

weeks ago and they were singing

flower of Scotland and I have been

adopted by the people. It's quite a

small community but the people have

really welcomed myself and my

family. It's a very special place,

somewhere I always will hold dearly.

There is always a big Scarlets

contingent in the Welsh squad, when

it comes to Scotland against Wales

does that give you more of an

insight into how the players play?

A

little bit I suppose. I know the

guys personally. There has been a

bit of stick flying about the last

few weeks already after last year.

Scotland break-out!

Playing against

some of my friends, it's going to be

tricky. I am sure they will be

looking forward to playing against

me.

What is the atmosphere like

within the Scotland setup, Gregor's

first Six Nations, what is he

bringing to the side?

The mood is

good. The whole thing about Gregor

and the other coaches is they try to

make training harder than games,

make it more stressful, make it

chaotic. They don't want it to be

comfortable.

Structured chaos.

It is

chaos sometimes. If we are feeling

chaos we know the other team are

feeling more chaos, we need to play

at that temple and push it on other

teams and push their fitness and

that is why we try to make training

as chaotic as we can which is means

we get to games and it's not as bad.

Constantly challenging us and

bringing in new ideas. If we play

how we did in the autumn, the hard

work you put in, as a player, you

know it's worth the effort.

John

Barclay is through! The roar of

celebration!

In terms of the

captaincy, does that mean you have

to be more responsible towards all

your players are as there are... Is

there still room for a Stuart Hogg

prank?

I knew I could not get an

interview without being asked about

back! It's a long tournament, I am

sure we'll have some fun over the

next eight weeks.

From the current

captaincy of former captain on the

touchline.

touchline.

Chris we keep talking

about how long it's been since

Scotland last won in Cardiff, you

are part of that side, what are your

memories?

2002, final game of the

championship so preparations were

different, we had won on the road in

Rome, I remember staying at Celtic

Manor we had to make sure that team

work was done quickly on the Friday

because we had golf in the

afternoon! It was relaxed but

worked, it got us in the right mood.

Slightly different preparation this

time, how much will history have

been discussed this week between

Gregor and the boys are does it not

matter?

You take parts of the

culture from your history,

understand what you represent bit

when comes in the field at about the

here and now. These players are in a

good way selfish about their

training and determination to

succeed, facing the opposition and

working on your own game.

The

atmosphere is incredible and

building every moment closer to kick

off, what is it about this place

because decent sides have come here

and not being able to win, is this

place like a 16th man?

I was felt

inspired to play here, it's

incredible. It is much pressure side

as it is a boost but the away team

is coming here and you cannot

control the crowd but you can

control your own performance. Keep

your discipline on the right side of

the referee, you go a long way to

silencing these crowd.

Songs ringing around the

Principality Stadium and now we're

getting parts of the bonny bonny

banks of Loch Lomond. A fantastic

occasion, if not the greatest one of

the greatest stadiums in the world.

15 minutes before anyone has won are

lost, 15 minutes to dream before the

onset of reality.

I find the Welsh to be incredibly

passionate and there is an

expectation too. I have struggled

with that at time.

Scotland are

really on the rise.

He scores!

The

weight of expectation going into the

Six Nations.

Wearable Wales finish?

They will not win it.

Had you

thought about the future?

Starting

the tournament in sensational style.

As a coach, I hate losing.

Let's

spend the next ten minutes talking

specifically about where this game

is going to be won are lost, in the

front row a key element in the

number of Scottish absentees.

I

think there are eight front row

injuries between prop and hooker.

Scotland have struggled to cope with

that but Gordon Reid and Jon Welsh

have been brought, Jon Welsh, 27

caps, he's not experienced

internationally but he is playing

for Newcastle Falcons and playing

well. If you pick a tight head in

the English premiership he can play.

His sole responsibility is to lock

out the scrum and try to get a

platform. Scrums in modern rugby can

have an impact, a massive impact but

some days they do not. Scotland will

hope today is one of them. They will

want to get the ball and get it out

and get the game going.

Those guys

will know, they will not have had to

say it, but the whole team know

these guys need to do their job. The

guys behind them, the second row,

every scrummage you are scrummaging

for your life. If Wales get on top

of you and the referee starts giving

penalties it can have massive

impact. Ideally Scotland don't make

many mistakes and there are a few

scrums, the walk off the field of

the win after having five scrums,

but we see how that goes.

If the

general perception is Wales have the

nudge in the front five what about

the back row?

Both teams can play in

the backline. If I was playing for

Wales I would think as personal

batters go this will be one of the

toughest games because John Barclay

and Hamish Watson are two of the

best breakdown specialists in

international rugby. Wales have got

Josh Navidi, they are more of a joke

tackle emphasis but if Wales can

stop Hamish Watson and John Barclay

getting on the ball then they have

got a great chance.

I like Hamish

Watson as a player, I don't think

he's as big as the programme says,

but he has spirit about him, he

carries the ball, you think somebody

has him and he squirts out over the

gain line. If Scotland get their

game going and get wide, Ali to see

him in wide channels.

Interesting

selection in the Welsh back row,

Ross Moriarty playing despite barely

picking up a ball this season.

I

think what they will tell him is you

have 50 minutes, give it everything

you got, give him free rein, get

your hands on the ball, put in big

shots and you have somebody in

Justin Tipuric on the bench who you

know the impact he can bring. They

would say to Ross, 50, 55 minutes of

everything you've got.

everything you've got.

Wales have

gone for bulk in the back row, Josh

Navidi. This is what they want to

do, smash Scotland up front. Then

take it from there. That is where

game management comes in. Ross

Moriarty played exceptionally well

against England, he was man of the

match after, he gave everything. I

have no doubt that will be the same

today.

A lot of injuries means Rhys

Patchell plays outside half for

Wales. Big opportunity but the

kicking game will be key because if

you kick the ball to Stuart Hogg

Heaven knows what happens.

He has

played exceptionally well, last

season and this season, he has been

playing comfortably at number ten,

he has all the Scarlets backline

around him so he will be

comfortable. Because of his

versatility he's been playing

full-back the last few weeks.

Naughty step in and take on managing

the game is the big key. He's a bit

raw, he tries things which are not

maybe all, and he cannot do that

today, you have to let the game come

to him and wait for the

opportunities.

Taking out that

famous Wales number ten shirt is a

big step up for him, I think he's a

talented kid, he sees the Scarlets

players around him, the cohesion and

understanding, that is good for him.

He can play his natural game,

Hadleigh Parkes will come off them,

Williams will come off him, him

against Finn Russell will be great.

He's about six foot four. Massive.

For a stand-off especially. If

nothing is on he will just take it

up.

You need help from the guys

around you in that position. He's

got opportunities around him and at

number nine, but don't force the

game, what will kill you in this is

forcing the game and making that big

mistake. Play what is there and take

it as it comes. Have a run. Nothing

better as a forward than senior

number ten steam-roll their number

ten.

How much would he like Rhys

Webb to be there?

I am not sure,

because they play together and he is

sharp. If he has an opportunity he

is an amazing finisher. He is

different Rhys Webb, if there is an

opportunity he is so dangerous to

watch as a back row forward.

Is

Gareth Davies a good communicator to

help these people?

INAUDIBLE

LAUGHTER

That is the one part of the game he

had criticism for.

Watching the his

game this season, the latter part of

his game has developed, he is

lightning, similar to Ali Price

which is why I think both sets of

halfbacks are higher risk. Set up a

great game.

Tell us about the one

non-scarlet in the back division,

Josh Adams.

What a finisher, I am

not sure many people will have known

about him going back even six months

but they are making a lot of noise

in the premiership, I believe 11

tries for Worcester and given

towards the the bottom of the table,

11 tries. Doing brilliantly. You

watch him score, seems like he's got

a great left foot step. He was in

the same schoolboy team as Evans on

the other wing so it's a great

story.

All the talk about his pace

and finishing, you come in as a

debit and in a game like this

Scotland will put a kick on him and

say, to be an international player

you cannot have a weakness and they

will have a go. Put the ball in the

air, the Scottish wings are good

chasing.

That's what Scotland will

do, they will try to pepper a kick

at Adams straightaway so it's good,

it would not surprise me off the

first line-out or set piece they get

the ball in his hands and get the

nerves at the way.

Quick word on the

Scottish backs which was in great

form, tell us about Chris Harris.

His first cap in the autumn and

Gregor Townsend is impressed with

him. Playing at 13, tall, strong,

deceptively fast. What Gregor told

me yesterday is he likes the look of

him as a defender. He will be

challenging in that area. With all

the creativity around him, Huw Jones

inside him, he is

inside him, he is playing 12 first

Emperor Scotland but has played

regularly for Western province. He

is not out of position at all. Chris

Harris can relax and play his

natural game at 13.

Almost time for

the talking. So what do you think?

Jonathan?

I want to look at the

first scrum and that will be a good

indicator. I just feel defensively

Wales are very strong and have home

advantage. They will just sneak it I

think.

Andy?

If Scotland can get a

platform, we don't know how it will

go, but I think the confidence

Scotland have on the players they

have got on the form they are and I

think this is Scotland's time, they

could win here for the first time

since 2002.

I will put my neck out

and see Wales by seven, I think

whoever was playing at home would be

favourites south Wales.

I promised

Andy I would back him up, if

Scotland can establish the game and

not make too many mistakes, Scotland

want to play, it's an opportunity

for turnovers and scoring but if

Scotland do not win today when are

they going to come down here and

win?

Never underestimate the

enduring appeal of this magnificent

championship which dates back more

than a century. Spine tingling

stuff, here come the sides.

Rugby fans all over the world are

going to be watching and hoping

while they are having breakfast in

New York or dinner in Hong Kong or

bleary eyed down under. This is the

sport 's greatest annual showpiece

and it is pretended in Cardiff this

year. Chris Paterson and Martyn

Williams and Andrew Cotter will

describe chapter one after the

anthems. It's a long week from 16

Nations to the next but the waiting

is just about over -- it's a long

wait from one, Six Nations to the

next. But the waiting is just about

over.

# O flower of Scotland

# When will we see your like again

# That fought and died for

# Your wee bit hill and glen

# And stood against him

# Proud Edward's army

# And sent him homeward

# Tae think again

# Those days are passed now

# And in the past they must remain

# But we can still rise now

# And be the nation again

# That stood against him

# Proud Edward's army

# And sent him homeward

# Tae think again. #

CHEERING

APPLAUSE

# Mae hen wlad fy nhadau

yn annwyl i mi

# Gwlad beirdd a chantorion,

enwogion o fri

# Ei gwrol ryfelwyr,

gwladgarwyr tra mad

# Dros ryddid collasant eu gwaed

# Gwlad, gwlad

# Pleidiol wyf i'm gwlad

# Tra mor yn fur i'r bur hoff bau

# O bydded i'r heniaith barhau. #

CHEERING

APPLAUSE

COMMENTATOR: Wherever you are from

there is something about the land of

my fathers in Cardiff, there are a

few sporting events to rival the Six

Nations every year. The unknown, the

uncertainty of an opening game

brings something extra. Much of

which due to the injuries suffered

by both of these sides today.

Certainly upfront Wales look

powerful, Rob Evans and Samson Lee

the props either side of one of the

best hookers in the game in Ken

Owens. Bradley Davies gets his first

Six Nations start. Ross Moriarty not

playing much of late but faith in

his ball carrying at number eight.

The backline for Wales is the

Scarlets plus one but a fascinating

blend of experience, Adams makes his

debut, flying in the premiership,

Hadleigh Parkes getting just his

second cap. Rhys Patchell starts at

fly-half outside Gareth Davies. If

Wales injuries come in the back line

the epicentre of Scotland's trouble

is upfront, nine men missing so the

call has gone to Jon Welsh of

Newcastle to anchor the scrum. Ben

Toolis wins the battle to partner

Jonny Gray at lock and Hamish Watson

and John Barclay in the back row and

experts at the turnover. The

backline is not without absentee is,

no Alex Dunbar or Duncan Taylor so

only a second cap for Chris Harris

today with Huw Jones moving to

inside centre, Glasgow team-mates

and flatmates Ali Price and Finn

Russell are the halfbacks. On the

bench good names in reserve for both

sides, Tomas Francis and Davies and

Justin Tipuric. Scotland experienced

names like Laidlaw and Gilchrist and

Maitland, Murray McCallum might have

the fire list of baptisms.

The referee is Pascal Gauzere, it is

an Anglo-French team of officials

today as the clock ticks down. The

best and worst of times for the

players but the waiting is over now

and the Six Nations is with us once

again and what a place to start and

it is Welsh captain Alun Wyn Jones

rising. An early touch for Gareth

Davies. Watched all the way by

Stuart Hogg, casually but out on the

full so they come all the way back.

Not the start Wales would have

wanted, fantastic start from Alun

Wyn Jones. Wales have kicked from

source and a poor start from Gareth

Davies.

Nerves from all players, the

line-out taken down by Toolis. An

early chance for this backline.

Russell delayed it, the trademark

delay and the lobbed pass but not

much for Tommy Seymour with three

red shirts quickly on him. Price has

another look and again it is Toolis

and Welsh. The ball was loose for a

moment but went backwards and Stuart

Hogg, always the danger.

Hogg, always the danger. Toolis and

Welsh linking up a couple of times

in the early exchanges. Spaced out

wide, Jonny Gray delaying and

carrying himself! He is rumbling on

to the line. He is stopped seven

metres short with a real opportunity

now. Watson bounces off his man.

Wales having to scramble back now.

Price goes the other way. He takes

it himself, Toolis tried to clear

out but Wales may have turned it

over and they get the penalty. Good

work eventually from the home side.

Ali Price has been penalised for

taking the space. Fantastic attack

from Scotland early on, Jonny Gray

finds himself in a huge amount of

space. Rhys Patchell is the last man

in defence, Wales only had one

player covering in the back field so

there was so much space to run into.

I think it was Navidi with the

crucial turnover.

Crucial turnover

and you don't want to see your nine

and ten on the edge of the defensive

line like they did there but good

scrambling and a crucial turnover

from Navidi in contact.

The kick to

touch is safe enough and Ken Owens

goes long and they could reach by

Alun Wyn Jones. -- a good reach.

Gareth Davies takes his time and

sends it long, taken down by Tommy

Seymour and he goes in deal to

Stuart Hogg who is almost through.

Scotland is trying again. McGuigan

off the wing. Jonny Gray onto Reid

and the loosehead makes a metre or

so.

Loud instructions from Pascal

Gauzere and Price with some

protection and send it to Rhys

Patchell. Patchell returns the

favour and Finn Russell waiting for

this one. He hurls it to the go to

man, Hogg, he saw some space but how

does it bounce? Not quite for Hogg

but for Halfpenny instead and the

full-back covers the danger from his

opposite number. Opportunity for

Wales and there is Josh Adams. The

first touch in international rugby.

Wales with plenty of men over but

they go the other way.

Davies barking instructions and the

scrum-half has a look. Now a little

bit of an overlap and an opportunity

for Steff Evans you get the flow to

Halfpenny but he cannot find his man

and it goes to McInally and he is

into the open! End to end and it is

Scotland coming forward. Bartley

carries. Moriarty felt that from the

scrum-half. -- Barclay carries.

scrum-half. -- Barclay carries. Hogg

trying to skip through once more.

Certainly so far it is high paced

stuff from both sides. The crowd

tries to lift Wales, Huw Jones with

a first touch.

There will be some

tired bodies here, this phrase has

gone on for a long time.

Still with

Scotland. A lazy chip and McGuigan

tries to tap it back to his captain

and John Barclay gathers. It is

still just there for Scotland.

Hamish Watson low to the ground and

hard to bring down. Russell to Huw

Jones with that acceleration trying

to go through. Jonny Gray playing

scrum-half and Russell uses the

referee as a decoy.

referee as a decoy. Price get ads,

and an interception and an

opportunity for Wales! It is Gareth

Davies! Can anybody catch him?

Davies for the corner, Harris cannot

get there and try for Wales! A gift

for Wales but so well taken by

Gareth Davies and Wales lead.

It

must have been almost four or five

minutes, the interception from

Gareth Davies. He has to work so

hard to get to the breakdown. And

when he looked up he had 60 or 70

metres to go. It was a delayed pass,

Finn Russell was not in position and

it became a foot race between babies

and Chris Harris.

As Chris said,

those couple of steps from Ali Price

before he released the ball --

between babies and Chris Harris. You

can see the lactic acid in his legs

in the last ten metres, such a

turning point. Great patience in

defence from Wales. Scotland seemed

in control but that is a huge fillip

for Wales.

It is already that kind

of game where you thought there

might be an interception or two.

Both sides attacking the space and

Gareth Davies taking advantage.

He

has a knack of scoring tries, a lot

of pressure with the injury to Rhys

Webb but he always delivers.

He is

in sensational form and he knows his

way to the try line. What a start.

Halfpenny to add two more. What a

sweet cake that is from Leigh

Halfpenny -- a sweet kick. Wales

have been up against it a bit in the

opening exchanges but they have the

first points.

A perfect secular.

Scotland were definitely on prop,

controlling the ball well. Big

momentum swing from Gareth Davies.

It is a gamble if he misses it but

it paid off.

The referee just

resetting the restart. Distance on

it from Finn Russell uncomfortably

taken by Moriarty. A chance to go

straight over Harris. Now some space

out wide again for Wales if they can

move it am looking out wide and on

goes and Hadleigh Parkes, back

infield and Wales just beginning to

gather a bit more momentum. And

through the gap again! Opportunity

with Shingler looking for support

and finding Cory Hill. Wales pouring

forward in numbers and Alun Wyn

Jones and they can't quite get

there. A wonderful move by Wales but

Steff Evans, just the final touch.

Brilliant, all from the kick-off. It

was great disguise and this time the

Scotland defence was all over the

place. A brilliant break and good

support from Cory Hill. I thought

only Wyn Jones -- Alun Wyn Jones was

in. That was almost impossible to

take for Steff Evans but brilliant

from Wales.

Scotland will be

frustrated with their defence. Very

narrow and it is giving Wales space

around the outside.

around the outside.

This is where a

lot of the talk was.

Scotland ball

but in this provision Wales will put

the squeeze on and a free kick to

Wales. They are talking about feeds

and I am wondering what the decision

is. Feed was not straight. That is a

big decision that they talked about

credible feeds now.

World rugby have

told all referees that is one of the

pointers, it does not have to be

straight down the middle but it has

to be fairly in the middle and that

is more like rugby league from Ali

Price. Such an obvious position for

Pascal Gauzere to make and a great

attacking opportunity for Wales.

So

many fans are critical of that area.

The first scrum has been pulled up

and rightly so and acute attacking

opportunity for Wales in centre

field. -- a huge attacking

opportunity.

opportunity.

Really interesting

scenario, Wales back themselves in

the scrum but this is a fantastic

opportunity for a backline as well.

We'll Wales release it or go for the

second Bush?

The key defender for

Scotland is Ali Price. He has to

linked with the rest of the backs if

it comes out.

Patchell sees the gap

and goes himself, just upended three

metres short.

metres short. Babies have a look and

he feeds Shingler and he is hurled

back --

. Davies had a look. It goes on to

Cory Hill and there is a gap out why

and Leigh Halfpenny is in! It is two

prize in 12 minutes for Wales! We

wondered how they would play. What a

start for the home side.

What a

start, fantastic patients from

Wales, it was scrappy from the back

of the scrum and Rhys Patchell

showed his threat. A great ball from

Cory Hill and a great finish from

Leigh Halfpenny.

38 games without

crossing the try line for Leigh

Halfpenny internationally.

Watch

this from Cory Hill, the pressure

was him and he releases it to Scott

Williams and then Halfpenny decide

he would take the space inside Barry

McGuigan and when you do that you

have to be committed and to finish

and he gets the ball under his

shoulder and goes over for the

second try. The pass from Cory Hill

allowed Wales to play the outside.

That is huge for Leigh Halfpenny, it

will do his confidence a world of

good. Has not played much rugby of

late,

good. Has not played much rugby of

late, a lot of talk about playing a

more attacking option at 15 so a

great try for him.

He would

more attacking option at 15 so a

great try for him.

He would have

been stung by the praise for Stuart

Hogg and at long run without a try

internationally but he has ended it

here as he tries to convert now.

here as he tries to convert now. Two

tries and two conversions, 14-0

Wales lead.

When Leigh Halfpenny

came on the scene first he was a

brilliant attacking player often on

the wing. He was almost in the Jason

Robinson rolled but he has become

safer as his career has gone on and

often looks to kick but I think he

is a wonderful attacking player and

it is great to see him scoring tries

again.

Scotland have to come from

some way behind and early in this

match. We talk about their attacking

prowess but defensive frailties

again perhaps exposed.

Taken down by Hogg. And Russell, to

nobody and an opportunity again for

Wales and it is Steff Evans. Huw

Jones trying to bring some sanity to

proceedings with Hamish Watson.

Scotland finding gaps and Finn

Russell is through this done and he

has support in Ali Price. He is

hurled down by Josh Adams. Gordon

Reid stumbles back to his feet and

finds Alun Wyn Jones in front of

him. And Russell over the top. And

the chase is on but Rhys Patchell is

there and he finds Halfpenny. No

touch finder again. Hogg eventually

sees a chance to chip and chase and

he has the exhilaration but not

quite the bounce and it goes to

Steff Evans. -- acceleration.

Back it comes to Patchell. Once more

the kick and once more Finn Russell

weights and a murmur from the crowd.

He ambles forward, a little stab but

it comes off Welsh feet to Ali Price

and then Maccarinelli. Off-loaded to

Jon Wells, Russell. -- Mackin Ali.

Huw Jones has support in Ali Price

but the pass does not quite find the

scrum-half soap Alun Wyn Jones gets

Wales going again with an

opportunity once more through

Shingler and support. Steff Evans

skipping infield again.

Short carry from Samson Lee.

Patchell. Deep to Parkes and then

Halfpenny and Ken Owens and Josh

Adams testing his pace against

McGuigan. It is a well-placed kick,

Russell in trouble but he gets

himself out of it so well. Hogg

comes forward and his spiralling

kick gets good distance.

There are a

few forwards out there saying, thank

God that has gone off the park

because it is breathless! It is

frantic and loose. I don't Wales

might look to put the ball off the

park when they kick but they seem

happy to keep it on and put Hogg

under pressure. Great first kick

from Josh Adams to settle his nerves

but such a frantic game and we're

off again.

McGuigan waiting for this

one and he puts it long and Rhys

Patchell as does ball gathering in

this match so far. He gives it to

Halfpenny who sees a couple of

forward but Mackin Ali gets to him

and Patchell picks up and goes. Then

the wristy pass to Samson Lee but

good hands from the tight head prop

although there was a little knock-on

-- risky pass.

I think Samson Lee

tried to turn into a Fujian and put

it through his legs -- Fijian.

What

a great

it through his legs -- Fijian.

What

a great advert it is. Greg

it through his legs -- Fijian.

What

a great advert it is. Greg

what a start it is.

I don't think

Greg Downes and is necessarily

thinking great advert! -- Gregor

Townsend.

Maybe not but he will

believe in what they are doing.

Wales have chosen to counterattack

and soul have Scotland so it is

great to watch.

Ali Price, his

incredible feed gave Wales the

platform for one of the tries macro.

That is interesting to keep an eye

on, the feed that was penalised, not

just in this game but the Six

Nations.

The theme is something for

the referees, also gaps in the

line-out. This is the bread and

butter for the fancy stuff. This is

where those six in the front row

earned their money. A big scrum for

Scotland.

They have been stunned by

those two tries but can they

respond? Gareth Davies shouting at

the delay from Ali Price. Russell to

Huw Jones and he takes it on the lip

and pokes it into the corner. -- on

the loop. It will be Welsh ball but

only five metres from their line.

Not a bad outcome for Scotland.

Because Scotland put two attacking

players to the left of the scrum

Wales had to match up. It allowed

some space for the attacking kick

through but it was a bit too happy.

That is loose and pressure on Ken

Owens.

Owens. Patchell gathering himself

for a kick and he gets it away and

get good distance. Tommy Seymour

takes it in and gives it to Stuart

Hogg. Now McGuigan.

Hogg. Now McGuigan. Some confusion

there from McGuigan but still with

Scotland and Huw Jones. Beyond Chris

Harris. And a little knock-on so

Wales scrum.

It was a sloppy

line-out from Wales put a fantastic

kick from Patchell and Alun Wyn

Jones, his workrate, covering the

inside shoulder up Hadleigh Parkes,

superb work to nullify the

counterattack.

A few instructions from Pascal

Gauzere to Gareth Davies. Warren

Gatland has never lost to Scotland

in ten years of charge of Wales.

Incredible record.

It certainly looks as if his players

have a freedom to play this

afternoon. Neil Jenkins passing on

the messages from the coaching box,

a lot of experience there for Rhys

Patchell toe work with, one of the

Masters. Alaves ticks have been kept

in play -- all of his kicks.

I

thought they might slow it down and

put it off the park and control the

tempo but they have given it to

Scotland and said, come on, let's

see what you've got.

Do you think

they're doing that because they know

Scotland will counterattack Kostyuk

it is always a theme with Gatland,

he will back the Welsh team's

fitness.

Step side. To explain that, Wales

have been penalised now.

Now the

laws have changed, the hogger must

strike the ball and as soon as he

takes his foot off the turf it is an

advantage to the other side soda

balance that out, your left shoulder

is allowed to align to the middle of

the scrum but you must put it in

straight so the advantage is that

you get a shoulder's with to your

site but it must be straight.

There

might be other international

scrum-halves watching is getting

nervous.

I have seen less straight

than that go unpunished. You must

put in from the left shoulder.

No

excuses for the rest of the match!

Pascal Gauzere has laid his

foundations.

Just as they reset it,

we might see a few more against the

head.

You were early and you don't

take the hit.

Interesting that the

option from the free kick is to take

another scrum. I think the

assumption was that it was happening

you might tap and go quickly but I

think everybody just wants a

breather!

The backs can have one,

the front row can't have one here.

The view of the angles of the front

rows. Barely in the scrum and picked

up by two pre-visit to McGuigan. The

hit comes in -- picked up by Cornell

du Preez.

Scotland slowing things down a

little bit. The second row partners

carry it in. Mackin Ali, the lively

hooker --

McInally. That is secured by Cory

Hill, Wales with opportunity again.

A bit messy from Scotland. Rhys

Patchell stabs it on and a chase for

Steff Evans against Tommy Seymour.

He waits for it to sit up and he has

it now.

it now. They are trying to hold him

up but Seymour and friends go to

ground and scrum is given to Wales.

Brilliant work from Tommy Seymour

initially put great work from Steff

Evans, good discipline not to fall

on him also Josh Navidi get hold of

him to cause the maul also all came

from a trademark Scott Williams

strip on the far side.

He is a good

defender. That is an example of

defenders working together. Steff

Evans is holding up Tommy Seymour,

Josh Navidi does not try to pull

them down, he creates the maul with

Aaron Shingler as well. Good

defence, a good kick and chase.

Aaron Shingler as well. Good

defence, a good kick and chase.

The

associate defence with fast line

speed but it is if they are treading

water and

speed but it is if they are treading

water and letting Scotland develop

the attacking play in front of them

and snuffing it out.

Wales scrum on

halfway.

halfway. Ali Price's turn to issue a

plaintiff cries.

plaintiff cries. Moriarty to Davis

and deeper it goes and that is Josh

Adams.

And Scotland have the penalty this

time.

Entry by red.

And holding on

in the tackle. Muscle wasting no

time in sending it long but he has

not make touch and a penalty is

wasted by the Scottish fly half.

wasted by the Scottish fly half. It

has been a casual game so far from

Finn Russell. Over the head of Leigh

Halfpenny and that is a beautiful

touch finder.

Nothing casual about

that. Leigh Halfpenny would have

thought he was in a perfect position

but a wonderful kick from Finn

Russell.

All of the best fly-halves

live on the edge and will make

mistakes. They are willing to take

chances and are on the gain line.

Wales with a quick and shortened

line-out.

Patchell waiting to get Wales out of

their 22.

Keeping it on the park

again.

Hogg.

again.

Hogg. Just spinning his way

past Cory Hill. Russell. The delays

again and Geri Buckley finds

Seymour. -- John Barclay.

Russell again to Huw Jones who looks

for Harris who takes the hit from

Josh Adams. Harris did well.

Josh Adams. Harris did well. Jonny

Gray smuggled into Gordon Reid and

now Hamish Watson into Shingler and

Navidi. Still with Scotland but not

much ground made. Russell delayed

again and looking for McInally but a

knock-on and a Wales scrum.

Turnovers are hurting Scotland.

Outside of the tries of the game is

pretty even, obviously the

scoreboard is most important, but

most of the game has been played in

this middle third with Scotland

having good attacks but being turned

over to often. Martyn is right, the

pressure is coming from intensity in

the

pressure is coming from intensity in

the tackle and not the line speed.

Scotland can't get over the

advantages like to stress the

defence.

Scotland with slightly more

possession. And territory, you can

see the action areas, a lot between

halfway and the Welsh ten metre

see the action areas, a lot between

halfway and the Welsh ten metre

line.

We have seen those statistics

for so long with Gatland in charge

of Wales, they don't have great

possession. They depend for their

lives and I really organised.

These

were the tries, interception for

Gareth Davies.

Finn Russell had

carried a lot and he was not in the

number ten position. Ali Price took

a double checked and that was enough

time to let Gareth Davies get it.

That was Leigh Halfpenny finishing

another flowing move with a good

attack from the Welsh.

It looked

like Warren Gatland was searching

for a high five! Edwards and Howley

just ignored him!

Rob Evans has been told to show the

inside shoulder to Pascal Gauzere.

No sign of the dominance in the

scrum, it has been fairly even.

Although there are injuries in the

front row, Jon Welsh and Gordon Reid

are both experienced scrummagers.

Wales ball. The feed is fine.

Wales ball. The feed is fine. Wales

happy to take possession and

Patchell again poking it over the

head of McGuigan and it was

beautifully placed an almost worked

so well for Josh Adams.

What an

outstanding kick. Not quite the

outcome Wales were looking for but

for Rhys Patchell to do that, the

thumbs up, just the bounce of the

ball away. He realised that McGuigan

was just a bit too flat. Half a

metre away from maybe a third try.

He has looked

metre away from maybe a third try.

He has looked comfortable, Rhys

Patchell, I know he plays a lot

He has looked comfortable, Rhys

Patchell, I know he plays a lot at

full-back but initially a number

ten.

He is an outstanding talent and

he has controlled the game well so

far for Wales.

Looking for Toolis and just about

finds the Australian-born lock.

McGuigan does well to slap a side

Alun Wyn Jones. Shingler wonders

forward.

Advantage Scotland. Samson Lee and

Cory Hill offside for Wales. They

will come back from the penalty I

think. And they do, good take from

Josh Adams but Scotland's ball.

Frustrating for Warren Gatland.

Scotland under a lot of pressure, a

lot of bodies in and around the ball

and you give away a penalty for

being a bit overeager at the

breakdown.

It is another one that

referees have been told to look out

for, make sure they are right behind

the back foot and it such a soft

penalty. Little bit of tiredness,

little bit of laziness.

Finn Russell

this time making no mistake with

finding touch from the penalty.

Scotland moving forward into the

well shaft, long, not straight

enough, wasted again. McInally looks

to the ground.

Wales are putting men

up in the air, the last line-up,

Schindler getting up to the ball. --

Shingler. At the moment Scotland are

not getting the fundamentals right.

That is the beauty of having someone

like Shingler in the back row, great

option in attack and defence. Making

Scotland throw to the tale.

Stay! Stay up!

It's good says the referee, Davies

picks and gives to Adams, kick chase

down himself. Bit of space but it

sets up nicely for Stewart Hogg.

Thumps it downfield towards

Patchell. Patchell into Berkley and

Gray. Josh Navidi powerful figure on

the flank for Wales. Carried by

Williams. Alun Wyn Jones weights.

They off-load is so quick.

They off-load is so quick. Evans was

there. Patchell gives it to Samson

Lee, love away from the prop and

carried by Moriarty. Penalty to

Scotland.

Scotland.

Huw Jones gets himself

over the top of the ball, Finn

Russell looks like he will try to go

quickly again.

Good touch finder

again this time, deep into the 22.

We were all enjoying Samson Lee's

moment.

Wonderful piece of skill,

under pressure, through the hands

quickly. That is the first one and

they did it again but the problem

is, the receiver Ross Moriarty is

isolated because he's broken the

line and Samson Lee has been taken

out but take a bow, wonderful pass.

Opportunity for Scotland as Toolis

takes it down and they try to get

all going, we have not seen one of

them make any great grounds but

Scotland did very well against

Australia and New Zealand with the

maul. Onto McGuigan. Penalty Wales.

At the moment the Scottish

midfielder getting no change out of

Williams or Parkes. Holding and

holding and running into brick

walls. Good tackle from Rhys

Patchell. Batman Josh Navidi. Sam

Warburton mentioned him before the

game, probably the only out and out

tackler in the Welsh game and he's

been superb.

It is impossible to get

someone like that off the ball.

Prevention from Scotland's point of

view becomes key, you cannot let him

get over the ball. Fight hard in the

contact or move the ball and extra

pass.

It is what is before that, the

defensive line, not allowing

Scotland to get over the defensive

line makes it so much easier for

Navidi.

Ken Owens finds his man,

Shingler. Gaps appearing once again.

Hadleigh Parkes into space.

Hadleigh Parkes into space. Divas

ships the direction of attack and

Steff Evans loses his man, cannot

quite get the ball to the flanker.

Quickly taken, Stuart Hogg with the

huge boot of his. Steff Evans having

to get back there. Bouncing point on

point all the way. Steff Evans had

to give at the hurry up, thought it

was finding touch. Hogg Jason Day

down. Could return from Evans.

Seymour infield to Finn Russell.

Russell towards Halfpenny. Calls for

the mark. Quite often set in games

but you sense the next score, if

Wales score another, it seems a

mountain to climb but if Scotland

score it could be an even contest.

Get the feeling there are tries out

there. You said earlier, there will

be tries, the way teams are trying

to play, mistakes made, more

attacking ambition.

Seymour goes one

way, then into the other, then over

the top of Steff Evans. Toolis

bumping into Evans.

bumping into Evans. McGuigan, out to

Huw Jones who can harass outside.

Chipset forward and back goes

Halfpenny. Halfpenny under pressure

and carried over by a Huw Jones so

Scotland have the scrum five metres

out.

It's a good weapon, the

attacking kick when it is as

accurate and well chaste as that.

Makes a Leigh Halfpenny have to deal

with it. Worked really hard, does

well.

well. It's an opportunity for

Scotland just five minutes before

half-time. This is a big moment in

the match I feel.

Ken Owens has just

taken a me. -- me.

Jonny Gray on the edge, it is an

area, if they can manipulate the

inside defence they can get outside

of Wales.

Nothing really between the

scrum is so far.

What do Scotland have planned? Ali

Price will be very aware the feed

has to be good. Under the watchful

eye of the referee.

eye of the referee. Ruck solid scrum

at the moment. Ali Price now,

looking and gives it on. Harris

spilling it, did it go forward? Yes

it did. Not quite his debut just 20

minutes against Samoa, feeling the

tension and the nerves.

It's that

turnover again, any time Scotland

have applied serious pressure

whether it's from a line break or a

set piece attack very quickly it has

ended up in a turnover. Two flats to

the line, has to hold his depth.

Even if Chris Harris takes that ball

he is under huge pressure. The ball

out the back using Harris as a decoy

or holding depth and be more direct.

Everybody talked about the losses to

the front row, but players out in

midfield. Significant losses.

Stay

up!

Moriarty holds. Wales trying to

run from deep. Hadleigh Parkes

chipping for Adams to hand down.

Huge distance on that kick and what

a kick it is.

That's about as good

as it gets. Rhys Patchell could've

kept hold of the ball and gone but

what a decision from Hadleigh Parkes

and what execution.

They have seen

themselves, over from New Zealand to

watch Hadleigh Parkes win his second

cap. He's just seen them. Very proud

parents. What a debut he had against

South Africa.

Superb player, he's

been a fantastic signing from the

Scarlets.

Scarlets.

The throw is long from

McInally, Scotland not having a

great time at the line-out. From

that attacking scrum five metres

from the Welsh line they now find

themselves with three minutes

remaining in this first-half.

Stay,

three.

Half charged down into touch, it

will be Scotland's line-out.

You

could hear a Welsh boy seeing no

easy outs on the referee microphone.

Don't give Scotland an easy exit or

any chance, keep applying the

pressure.

McInally will be feeling

the tension. The pressure comes in

on Toolis again from Cory Hill but

Scotland secure the ball.

That is

good from Scotland, they needed

that.

Penalty Scotland.

There is the easy out. Alan when

doing what he does best, releasing

the bind and coming in. Did not want

to give Scotland that.

Excellent

kick from Scotland. As leaders and

senior players in the Scotland

ranks, you are always targeting

points but specifically before

half-time from this line-out,

whether it is three, 57 need to get

something on the board.

A lot of the

confidence Scotland built up in

November will have been rocked in

this first-half, can they find

something in this final two minutes.

McGuigan coming in off the left wing

again. The ball lost forward by

Scotland once again. Scotland being

undone by their own mistakes with

the minutes to go.

Scotland are

making mistakes but Scott Williams

has been superb in defence. Such a

difficult position to defend and

he's martial that. Let the play

develop anti-stripping the ball in

the tackle.

Scotland allowing

Williams to let the play develop,

all of their place trying to affect

the outside area, two relatively

experienced

experienced wingers.

That is fine as is the touch judge

on this nearside. I think he was in

the shadow of a referee and knew it.

Gives it flats is the referee, to

Halfpenny. Williams with the carry.

The clock is red. Wales see it out.

What a first-half, what an

impressive first half, taking their

chances, Wales.

Scotland had more

possession but Gareth Davies scored

the first try after a huge piece of

play. Scotland have to look after

the ball better in the second half.

Gareth Davies and Leigh Halfpenny

with the tries. 14-0 at half-time.

Few guarantees in sport but one is

that Wales against Scotland will

always be hugely entertaining and on

occasion almost shambolic way

chaotic. But the end result is that

Wales are 14 points to the good, we

have only had two tries but we could

have had half a dozen. It has been

compelling stuff. Martin Johnson you

must come to the Six Nations more

often.

Amazing, the first 20 minutes

was wild West. Both teams thinking

we will just have a go. Hell of a

start.

Possession for Scotland, so

lateral, so difficult for the backs.

Not committing any forwards, they

are just going side to side and

Wales are soaking it up. It's

difficult for Stuart Hogg and Finn

Russell to create anything.

Ten

minutes into the game you nudged me

and said I have a bad feeling, why

was that?

Because it was 14-0! Wales

were opening Scotland up, for a

five-minute period, Scotland did

come back in and get possession but,

Scotland have had a lot of

possession but they do not taking

chances, Wales have had three real

chances and taken two of them.

Scotland making too many mistakes,

eight, that is from good field

position giving the ball back. But

they did not panic, 14-0 down here,

Wales on a role but they put their

foot on the ball for a moment to

stop the rot and start again. I

thought they chased it a bit too

early, forcing a bit too much.

Given

Warren Gatland has about 600 odd

caps injured, he must be pretty

encouraged.

I think it's great.

Scotland it looks like they are

trying to play outside of Wales

Blitz and Wales Blitz is nowhere

near as prominent as it was in the

autumn. If you push into a touchline

it easier to defend because there's

only one way they can go. It's when

you play off midfield rucks and the

opposition can go either way that

it's harder to defend. Wales are

happy if Scotland keeps pointed

edges.

They have to go that way

because they don't have ball

carriers, none of the back row

taking it up so the option is to go

midfield and it's difficult.

He is

watching is giving it a go to try to

break it up but they are go wide all

the time and that's not the way.

If

you play wide, wide, in the channels

you have to be accurate. They have

made so many mistakes. Wales get the

interception early on and it's a

perfect start. Scotland follow up

bad defensive mistake, should have

scored a great try. Scotland get

penalised for the best or worst

feeder depending how you look at it.

We will talk about that later on. In

a game as loose as that there was

the risk of an interception either

a game as loose as that there was

the risk of an interception either

way.

Watch Ali Price, this is first

of all, go in, cannot go anywhere

else, just watch, gets the ball, one

step, two steps, Gareth Davies

onside, he's read it, such an easy

intercept. What counterparts,

Scotland were all over them. Then

they get seven points.

I think there

was fatigue in the decision-making.

I'm not sure where that pass was

going to, Jon Welsh or Chris Harris?

It went somewhere between them and

after such a long period of play I

think he got frazzled. Good base for

Davis to get over.

That is what they

talked about, put them under

pressure but you have to be able to

handle it. They are making the

mistakes and putting themselves

under pressure.

Because Scotland

mistakes and putting themselves

under pressure.

Because Scotland

want to play wide, that is why a lot

of teams don't play off ten, the

ball is in the air too long, second

half they will bring the forward

runners in titres of the ball is not

in the air so long.

You will not

agree that in a sense it was almost

a shame Steff Evans

agree that in a sense it was almost

a shame Steff Evans did not score

for Wales because it would've been

one of the great Six Nations tries,

to go with Bill Bennett and 77.

Stuart McInally sold himself, it was

great interplay and you thought it

had to be scored, here it is, it's a

try, it was just slightly down on

his right. It would have been

fantastic. Too easy a gap to go

through.

The reason that is working

his Wales have been guilty in the

past, playing off ten you might only

have one runner but with Patchell

they have two

have one runner but with Patchell

they have two or three and as a

defensive unit it so much harder to

pick out the ball carrier.

It was a

gaping hole in defence. It was an

invite and then some to go through

the middle.

We have Panny hasn't

scored for Wales for five years. --

Leigh Halfpenny hasn't scored.

scored for Wales for five years. --

Leigh Halfpenny hasn't scored.

Everyone was delighted. Look how

narrow the Scottish defences.

McGuigan calling on the previous

play, the good thing about it is

they are lapping round, going round,

Scott Williams going round. Finn

Russell makes a decision, he goes in

and the pass beats him. It's an easy

finish. They were so narrow. I

cannot understand that. Here they

are narrow. And then previously on

the break they were wide. They work

so hard off the ball, creating the

extra man.

Steff Evans with great

work on the blindside to create the

extra man. When you are defending

the easy thing for the attack to do

is go narrow, pick and go, if you

are brave enough to go wide it's a

nightmare to defend. So it's good to

see Wales learning from past

mistakes.

see Wales learning from past

mistakes.

If we talk about mistakes

Scotland are making an lots of

different sectors of the game, how

much of this is down to the fact you

go into

much of this is down to the fact you

go into the game with this vision of

playing barbarian or seven aside

rugby come what May?

It's more that

it is it came off Moriarty there,

they are trying, all of these are

good mistakes if I can say that

because they are trying things. That

could have gone Ali Price and play

continues. Huw Jones and Chris

Harris just don't have the chemistry

in midfield. Finn Russell we have

seen the best and worst of the first

half. He rushed that, no need to go

that quickly. That is one which

should go to hand, be more

sympathetic. All of these plays are

little things going wrong. Bizarrely

the scrum has been

little things going wrong. Bizarrely

the scrum has been rock-solid it is

the line-out which is struggling.

I

think when you play that quickly.

You have to be able to control the

ball. The temptation is to throw

everything, at the moment if in

doubt they are throwing it and

sometimes they need to keep hold of

it. You admire the ambition. The big

thing now is to keep playing like

that, keep going, keep the pace.

When you go in with the big lead,

Wales would not expect to be 14-0 up

and they have to come out and almost

defend it and Scotland will keep

going.

They have to change it a

little bit, carry the ball, we've

not seen anyone carrying the ball.

Get over the gain line, it makes it

easier for Finn Russell and Stuart

Hogg, we've only seen Hogg in the

game counterattacking from kicks

which is brilliant for Wales.

How

much is it down to Finn Russell to

be the player in football terms in

the central midfield put his foot on

the ball and say I will direct this?

Without doubt he controls that. He

is so positive, sometimes he just

needs to take stock of what is

happening, after 12 minutes, 14-0

down, stop the rot and they did that

but they need to say how will we get

it up, get the big guys, Watson,

McInally taking it up. When they

have got the attacking play is going

it seems to come through the 12, 13

channel. Williams and Parkes are

eating it up. Lots of movement but

it's lateral. When they engage with

the defence of lying Wales are

knocking them back.

Wales are

drifting out and making easy

tackles. The Scottish back row are

not really in the game. Need to mix

it up and get over the gain line. We

need to keep the pace of the game

going. There is no point trying to

slow the game going, keep the pace

up and be more accurate.

slow the game going, keep the pace

up and be more accurate.

Josh Navidi

has had a tremendous first half, a

couple of key turnovers.

That's it,

Scotland are not far away from being

level, two magnificent turnovers

which she can take credit for,

fantastic work. Just have the upper

hand at the breakdown, a couple of

holding turnovers. As a number seven

you have two

holding turnovers. As a number seven

you have two the specialist, he is

doing it today.

I will emphasise

what they are saying, on the

turnover there, there was not one

back row Scottish player in shot.

It

had come off the maul. The first

Scottish player there has to win the

ball.

I am not sure it is a new

directive from world rugby and if it

is Brian Miller has had a major

factor

is Brian Miller has had a major

factor in getting it done but two

crooked feeds in the first half!

Watch this, that, the other angle we

saw, that was the first of the day,

there is the referee's view. Both

the scrum have they cannot do it and

look at it. It has been one each so

they know what to do.

Put it in

straight!

I have just been handed a

piece of paper which says Wales of

won 43 of the last 44 games in which

they have led by 14 points at

half-time.

Fantastic, thanks!

That

means nothing, lovely.

It does mean

they have lost once.

means nothing, lovely.

It does mean

they have lost once. Right, the

women's Six Nations begins this

weekend as well. 6

MUSIC

there is a weekly highlights

programme from tomorrow night and

you can see at any time on the

iPlayer. And rugby special tomorrow

night with highlights of Italy

against England in Rome.

A lot more rugby to come this

afternoon!

It's O'Driscoll again.

Can it be the

perfect finish? His very last game

and Ireland are Six Nations

champions.

The pitch is freezing,

the match is off.

Tommy Bowe is

going to score for Ireland! All

square at the Stade de France.

France have beaten Ireland 10-9.

The

second match of the Six Nations

France against Ireland kicks off at

quarter to five and you can see that

on BBC One. If there is a truism in

international rugby the game is won

and lost in the last 15 minutes or

so so the strength of the benches

will be key, let's see who is

waiting to come and make a key

impact in the game in the last

quarter. From a Scottish perspective

given what we have spoken about,

these perceived weaknesses in the

pack, what do you make about two

Scotland had to bring in?

The two

props, James Batty and Murray

McCallum are a bit unknown, I think

it's in the back three, I think

Gilchrist will come on, Wilson will

come in the back row, in the backs I

think, I think Ali Price might have

run himself into the ground because

the way Scotland play he put so much

pressure on nine so I would not be

surprised to see Greig Laidlaw

coming on earlier than we thought

you might but Maitland is impact, so

is Horne. Gregor Townsend does have

a bench to go to and I think he will

do, early.

And what about the Welsh?

Justin Tipuric, the halfbacks, if

Wales are still playing the way they

are I don't think they will make

many changes because it's going

well. It's if you want to bring on

Gareth Anscombe to see out the game.

The way things are going I cannot

see too many changes in the back

division.

I think they are playing

well, they have got big forward to

can come on but if they are

comfortable with a defensive

position Scotland have to be more

direct, so anyone direct only

Scottish bench might come on.

First

points for Wales now, if they score

it's a big way back but if Scotland

score first they are not back in the

game but they have got a glimmer.

For me Wales defensively

concentration, Scotland will not

want to lose, they will keep going,

let's see if they can keep doing it

for 80 minutes.

It was an

enthralling first 40, I am sure they

neutrals watching at home have been

enthralled. From a Welsh point of

view it's been hugely encouraging

but who knows what might lie ahead

in the second 40 minutes, let's go

back to your commentators.

The first half lived up to it

billing in terms of excitement.

Perhaps not the style of the game.

Alun Wyn Jones, cannot see any

changes at half-time from either

side. Having a chat with Rhys

Patchell, waiting and waiting, you

will have been stern words inside

the Scottish changing room. John

Barclay and Scott McAvoy grim faced.

Is there a way back for Scotland?

Wales in a strong position as Du

Preez takes it in. McInally.

Shingler is told no. Slice the kick.

Well taken by Seymour. So good so

often in the air.

Jonny Gray repelled. It comes to

Finn Russell. Deep to Stuart Hogg.