Scotland faces a tough ask in the second round of the Six Nations as they travel to Principality Stadium to take on tournament favourites Wales. Join The Roar for live scores from 3:50am AEDT.
After nearly producing a monumental upset against Australia at last year’s Rugby World Cup quarter-finals, many expected Scotland to beat England in their opening match last week at Murrayfield.
What transpired, however, was more of the same from Scotland as they succumbed 15-6 to a determined English outfit under the tutelage of new coach Eddie Jones.
Scotland’s defeat to England thus proves one key point. Scotland managed to push Australia last year due in large part to the Wallabies’ poor performance in wet conditions at Twickenham.
As competitive as Scotland was, Australia produced arguably their worst performance at the World Cup last year and still managed to secure the win albeit in controversial circumstances.
This is the problem for Scottish rugby. Like Italy, Scotland continues to rely on poor performances from strong opposition to secure a win against Rugby’s global powers.
How else can you explain their inability to defeat England last week at home? Scotland lack that x-factor in the backline and in the halves that will truly elevate their game in attack.
With this in mind, you can’t see anything but a victory for Wales this afternoon. Scotland have a poor record against a Welsh team that showed great resolve to come back from 13-0 down against Ireland away from home en route to securing a 16 all draw.
Wales at their best play a high-tempo style of rugby and such a style should allow them to overpower a Scottish team still with plenty of improving to do.
Wales to win by 14.
Join The Roar for live scores as Wales face Scotland from 3:50am (AEDT) on Sunday morning.
Taylorman
Guest
Yes they were, quite noticeably. Whether it's fitness or the ability to maintain focus will be Cotters concern. They rallied well enough to score a good structured try from a move themselves so it might be a big of both. It's been one of Wales real strengths to strike in the later parts of the game over the years.
RobC
Roar Guru
I thought it was clever. Wales fooled SCO into thinking they were going to push out which caused D to expose their shoulders. In any case, this was mainly because SCO were out of a steam around 5' before the Roberts try. Depth.
Taylorman
Guest
Yes the North try was the nail. Cotters got to work on retaining their structure in the last twenty. It came back after the try but talk about getting caught with their pants down! Easiest try North will score for a while.
Taylorman
Guest
Yeah but to be able to cut back and run around the back of the Scots pack like that. Looking back before the scrum the Scots were all picking themselves up off the ground while the Welsh were huddled ready to strike. Scotland got completely ambushed in that move because they were half asleep.
Taylorman
Guest
Duncan Taylor scores a nice try from a great pass from Jackson. Taylor slips through the small gap off the pass and gets over. 27-23 with time up. scots have a small chance but Hardie knocks on and it's game over. Wales 27-23 winning easily the better game of the two thus morning. Much more movement of the ball than the Ireland France match which was a fairly dour tight affair,
Taylorman
Guest
Wales clearly the fitter side with their defensive structure still in place as they continue to knock anything the Scots throw at them. Wales on attack at 76', happy to cart it up. Kick goes up and they trap Jackson with the ball in the Scot 22 but Scotland win the penalty. Jamie Roberts wins a deserved man of the match with a solid game and some big hits.
RobC
Roar Guru
It was a great line tman. Those two missed tackles where backfooted Scots who had their outside shoulders already beaten
RobC
Roar Guru
Good match. Scrappy around 55' What a diff a dry match makes, when compared to FRA IRE gale. Wales finishers the difference so far
Taylorman
Guest
Last twelve minutes and a sense that Wales have a hold of this match. Both sides making mistakes, double knock on. Welsh scrum. couple of Scots down. Wales scrum, North scores from a simple cut back and ridiculous defence. No one got near him after the initial poor attempt. Great line but way too easy from there. Wales 27-16.
Taylorman
Guest
Wales turn a penalty down in front and Roberts goes over from the reset scrum. Wales 20-13. Welsh singing has resumed.
Taylorman
Guest
After 56, mins Scotland now leading 16-13. Wales spark a run down the left. Great covering tackle the Wales regain and run right, chip and Scotkand again foil the try from just tipping the ball out from the kick. Games come alive again.
Taylorman
Guest
Biggar fidgeting his way to another penalty. 10-10 with < five minutes to half time.
Taylorman
Guest
Laidlaw goals from a not releasing penalty. 10-7 to Scotland after 32'. Games more even now. Scotland have rallied well from the initial Welsh onslaught.
Taylorman
Guest
Barclay found himself in the clear. Isn't sure what to do so kicks it downfield and out just as some very good support on both sides becomes available. Pity. Still 7-7 after 24mins.
Taylorman
Guest
Bit of sorting out going on now. Wales on attack. Scotland warned for 'dummy jumping' in the lineout. Real spark to this game with some nice touches of skill across both sides.
Taylorman
Guest
Scotland have regrouped from the initial onslaught and have put 18 phases on. Chip to the corner, brilliant try to Scotland. Great chip. This game has been fun to watch so far. Laidlaw converts from the sideline. 7-7. Two great tries, one fortuitous but run in well, the other a great finish, both from chips.
Taylorman
Guest
Well that was weird. Davis scores from a chip. Brilliant run where he found himself in a huge gap but ran it in well from half way. Wales 7-0.
Taylorman
Guest
Good scrum Wales. Penalty to the line. Wales on attack from the lineout. Drive to the line, knock it on. Looks ominous for Scotland if this continues. Wales already looking dominant.
Taylorman
Guest
Anthems over, Clancy to get them under way. Biggar kicks off. Normally I couldn't see Scotland winning this at Millenium. Davies and Roberts should be critical for Wales.