Stuart Hogg and Finn Russell shone as Scotland staged a rousing comeback to beat Wales for the first time in 10 years in an absorbing 29-13 Six Nations victory at Murrayfield on Saturday.
After an early exchange of penalties Wales winger Liam Williams crossed in the corner for an eye-catching opening try as the visitors opened up a 13-9 halftime lead.
Scotland wingers Tommy Seymour and Tim Visser finished tries set up by sublime Hogg passes after the break while Russell kicked 19 points with a perfect seven-from-seven record with the boot.
Victory was Scotland’s first against Wales since 2007 – ending a run of nine successive defeats – as they scored 23 unanswered points to register their second victory in three matches in this year’s Championship.
“We knew how tough Wales were going to be,” man-of-the-match Russell told the BBC.
“We knew if we were in the game, we’re good enough to get a couple of tries. We dug deep. Credit to the boys. We kept the scoreboard ticking over and at this level that’s what you need to keep doing. I was happy with my kicking today.”
After an even opening, where both sides showed early attacking intent, Wales scored the first try with the in-form Williams finishing in the corner after a slick backline move sparked by Rhys Webb’s quick tap.
Webb caused Scotland a number of problems with a series of incisive breaks around the ruck — one of which nearly brought about a second try but the television officials spotted minor obstruction in the build-up.
Russell cut the gap to four with a penalty before the metronomic Leigh Halfpenny restored the visitors’ seven-point advantage in the 34th minute.
Scotland nearly restored parity with a superb try sparked by mesmerising fullback Hogg’s deft kick through, but centre Huw Jones was hauled down metres short before a third Russell penalty made it 13-9 to Wales at the break.
The hosts showed great impetus after the break with winger Seymour scoring a converted try in the corner following sublime link-up play between Hogg and Visser.
Webb might have scored a thoroughly deserved try midway through the half but his foot brushed the line just as he dived over in the corner, but the visitors were hindered by a series of handling errors in attacking positions.
Visser then strolled over in the opposite corner after he was put into space by Hogg’s brilliant quick pass, with two further Russell kicks sealing an emphatic victory.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Id like Eddie Jones, the internal conversations and inner conflict would be worth its weight in gold in his speeches.
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Guest
That's why I said "might".
Phantom
Roar Rookie
I think with graham in charge the ABs would still beat the Wobblies.
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I'd like to see Richard Graham coach the AB's, then we might have a chance of winning the Bledisloe.
Hello Everybody.
Guest
In 2020 Id like Cotter, Schmidt and Foster to form the ABs next coaching team but if Schmidt and Cotter both want to be head coaches then either would do me. However those 3 would be fantastic.
Hello Everybody.
Guest
It was just an example but Henshaws position is not garanteed. He has not been the form 12 in the 6 nats imo. Actually hes been the worst imo. S.Williams, Dunbar and Farrell have been better imo. Hes good but I doubt hes locked in. I think hes more likely at 13 but hes up against stiff comp there too.
FunBus
Roar Rookie
'Which means he’ll be coaching a team of players he’s never coached before for the first time, against the ABs at home.' Against that he's got Farrell who is the current Ireland defence coach and was England defence coach, and Borthwick who is current England forwards coach on his team. Gatland will have all the info he needs on the players; and those two will probably do most of the actual coaching, anyway.
Bakkies
Guest
It wasn't because he wasn't good enough. Scotland let him go to sign Gregor Townsend. Their reasoning was that they didn't want to risk losing him to job in England, Ireland or France. Cotter is replacing Jake White. White was pretty much sacked for fishing for the England job while on contract. Nothing to do with performance. As for long periods after your last test to your next one to find a new one there isn't an argument. Look what happened to the Boks they left it to April to announce Coetzee so they didn't have any assistants on his staff and a captain till May. Not every coach they want is available at such short notice
taylorman
Roar Guru
I find that weird, how they can name a new coach and dump the current one before he's finished. With test rugby there's a long enough period between the last and next test of the new season to find a new coach, and the importance of the position should be enough to annul any existing contracts...for the better good of the game. But asking a coach to move on after this season cos you're not good enough but be saying meanwhile, "oh but please win for us now till you go while the one we really want can get ready"...weird...
Bakkies
Guest
Cotter is off to Montpellier
Bakkies
Guest
No Henshaw?
Phantom
Roar Rookie
What does this do now in light of the scots dumping their kiwi coach. I guess he will have no trouble picking up a new coaching gig but it seems to me that the scots have got this wrong.
taylorman
Roar Guru
I agree he just wants to win, my point being that the worse the Welsh do, the less there will be, considerably so. Which means he'll be coaching a team of players he's never coached before for the first time, against the ABs at home. It's really a unique position. At least every other side here have a considerable number of players that have had tests together before. For me it still remains the fundamental unique flaw of the Lions concept...to NZ. And we are watching that unfold beautifully.
Hello Everybody.
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I dont think it makes Gatlands selections harder. People just assume Gatland wants to favor Wales. I think he wants to win. The core of the side will be Irish and English. It was never going to be Welsh. He could select 1 McGrath IRE 2 Best IRE 3 Furlong IRE 4 Jones WAL 5 Gray SCO 6 Itoje ENG 7 Haskell ENG 8 Vunipola ENG 9 Youngs ENG 10 Farrell ENG 11 Williams WAL 12 Dunbar SCO 13 Jones SCO 14 North WAL 15 Hogg SCO 16 George ENG 17 Vunipola ENG 18 Cole ENG 19 Stander IRE 20 O'Brien IRE 21 Murray IRE 22 Sexton IRE 23 Halfpenny WAL For example. Its full of established combos and he and his coaching staff have worked with most of them.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Sure is going to make Gatlands Lions selections difficult as Wales lose more matches. The more diverse the side is across the four countries the harder it will be to form a winning side, and the further away from the heart of any one of the sides is removed. And the flack he'll get if he doesn't pick em! Adding to that it's likely Gatland will have to be introduced to a large number of players, and learn in a short time what makes them tick, and train well. Great stuff, the wheels are grinding on...
Bakkies
Guest
I agree and referees still refuse to card players who have their arms around the throat of their opponent in a maul. One of the French under 20s locks was doing it regularly in Friday's match.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
I couldn't get over how the Welsh 7 stayed on the field after the tip tackle. Especially in Super Rugby games this year we have had players binned for innocuous offences and here he takes the player by the legs, lifts him then flips him so he comes down on the shoulder. Poor.