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Hello and welcome to ESPN's live commentary of the Six Nations clash between Wales and Scotland!
Wales welcome Scotland to Cardiff on Saturday evening unbeaten, and arguably favourites to win this year's Six Nations, but with their Grand Slam and Triple Crown hopes in tatters. Last weekend's 16-16 draw against Ireland displayed the battling qualities of Warren Gatland's side, and the New Zealander will hope that a more cohesive attacking display can help his side banish the frustration of their Dublin stalemate.
WALES XV: Williams, North, J. Davies, Roberts, James, Biggar, G. Davies; Evans, Baldwin, Lee, Charteris, Jones, Warburton (captain), Tipuric, Faletau.
Replacements: Owens, Jenkins, Francis, B. Davies, Lydiate, Williams, Priestland, Anscombe.
SCOTLAND XV: Hogg, Lamont, Bennett, Taylor, Seymour, Russell, Laidlaw (captain); Dickinson, Ford, Nel, R. Gray, J. Gray, Barclay, Hardie, Denton.
Replacements: McInally, Reid, Fagerson, Swinson, Cowan, Hidalgo-Clyne, Weir, Jackson.
You can follow our man on the ground, Martyn Thomas(@MCThomasSport), who'll be giving us his live updates straight from the match in Cardiff. His preview can be read HERE.
And, if you're still thirsty for more rugby...
Owen Farrell rallies England ahead of their Scotland clash
Scotland vs. England preview
Mark Cueto on how Dylan Harley can push England to glory
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We're underway here in Cardiff, and the home nation have kicked us off!
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And it's the hosts who have had all the ball so far. Despite a brief moment where Richie Gray won the ball before offloading to Hogg to his left, Gatland's side have started the game as the more imposing of the two. However, we are only two minutes in...
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First scrum of the game after a knock on from Scotland! Wales to feed.
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Great first scrum from Wales, and they've got the first penalty of the game. Biggar's lining it up for the corner.
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Wales are pushing very hard towards the line and are less than five metres out. The lineout has paid dividends and you can't help but feel we are moments from a try!
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| 6 |
5 - 0 |
But nope, not just yet! We've got another scrum and it's Scotland ball. Deep inside their 22 though, so they'll be looking to kick is away pretty quickly...
Phew, sigh of relief for the Scottish. Wales penalised for engaging early in the scrum and Laidlaw punts clear.
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7 - 0 |
WALES TRY!
WHAT A TRY FROM GARETH DAVIES!
The Wales scrum half has a solo 40 metre run towards to corner. Biggar chips forward, Roberts wins in the air, knocks it down and Davies collects it from around half way and pegs it for the line!
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Kicking's the name of the game right now as Laidlaw, Williams and Davies all relying on their feet.
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Scotland try to get something going with their driving maul but not much comes of it straight away. However, a couple of bash and barges from their forwards and they're progressing well, closing in on the Welsh 22.
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Scotland have strung the phases together -- up to phase 13 in fact -- before Laidlaw makes the break! Nice vision from the scrum half to spot that gap.
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Scotland have made it to phase 20 now, some great handling and continuity from the Scottish! They're progressing well!
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7 - 5 |
SCOTLAND TRY!
Great try. Tommy Seymour finishes off after 21 phases of pressure. Little chip over and the Scottish winger latches onto it and places it down.
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7 - 7 |
Very tight kick for Laidlaw and he finishes it off superbly. 7-7.
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Biggar on the deck now after a great collection in the air. He looks okay though, I think...
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| 16 |
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Another Wales scrum now just inside their half. Davies stands patiently waiting to feed...
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| 17 |
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Scotland the better of the two this time and they're quick to jump on Dan Biggar who has just seconds to punt clear behind his line otherwise Wales were in trouble!
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| 18 |
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Poor Scottish lineout as Wales pinch it and look to counter. However, Gatland's side can't do much with it except pass it out of play the other side. Another lineout.
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Very open game as Tipuric kicks down field, before it's rapidly returned by Russell. However, Wales have worked the lineout well and are pushing in the centre of the field. Baldwin's carrying the ball well.
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Dan Biggar kicks long and Tommy Seymour is great in the air and collects. John Barclay finds himself in space off Seymour's collection and if it was anyone with any sort of pace, we could be looking at a different scoreline! He broke free, had no runners, opted for the grubber kick due to incoming Welsh bodies but no one can reach it. Out of play it goes...
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Scotland's scrum...
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And they're penalised for collapsing. Wales' go now...
...who also get it wrong. Another go at the scrum now...
Scotland penalised for engaging early and Wales can kick clear.
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| 28 |
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Scotland's Hogg has come off with injury. Blow to Scotland, arguably their best broken field runner.
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7 - 10 |
Scotland have been awarded the penalty and Laidlaw has the distance and slots the three points home. Big kick from the Scottish scrum half.
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| 31 |
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The two sides seemed to be stuck in a midfield battle, and Scotland's lineout has gone wrong down their right flank as Wales poach it in the air. However, Gatland's side can't do much with the possession once they've worked it down their line as it goes out of play the other side.
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Another Welsh scrum...
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| 34 |
10 - 10 |
And they've won a very kickable penalty as Scotland are penalised for not driving straight. Biggar teeing it up.
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Makes it, 10-10!
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Scotland scrum after a Wales knock on. North throws inside to Faletau at pace, and it bounces off the bombarding No.8.
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They've progressed well from right to left, with Bennett trying to make a break before being pinned back. Scotland on the approach, albeit from the half way.
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Laidlaw's looking for runners and Seymour's come off the wing into the centre. Cotter's side looking more threatening as the game goes on, infact they probably don't want half time just yet.
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| 40 |
10 - 13 |
And they've earnt a penalty after building it to phase six! Laidlaw to kick and put his side in the lead before the break...
And he makes it! FULL TIME!
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| 40+1 |
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ESPN's Martyn Thomas had this to say straight from the match in Cardiff:
"Shaun Edwards had urged Wales to respect Scotland this week, and on this evidence it is easy to see why. Wales started quickly, but their opening try came against the run of play. Vern Cotter's visitors have been excellent in the first 40 minutes, playing with confidence as they have taken the game to their hosts in attack and denied them any space in defence. Tommy Seymour - having switched to the right wing following Sean Maitland's late withdrawal - has been brilliant at both ends of the pitch and showed impressive composure to score his side's only try. Greig Laidlaw's second penalty on the stroke of half-time has given Scotland a three-point lead. The only worry being that their hosts are still well within touching distance. Wales can't be as accommodating in the second 40, can they?"
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We're back underway here in Cardiff!
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| 41 |
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Tommy Seymoor chases down his own kick and collects brilliantly -- he's been brilliant. He's quickly shut down by Faletau, though, and it's not long before Wales are the ones trying to work the ball into space.
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Scotland are back on the ball and John Hardie's the one bringing it into battle. Taylor sends it through but it collected off the deck by Wales' Williams.
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Rugby tennis as both teams are relying on their feet to create some space.
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Davies collects, offloads to North who tries to tie his Scottish opponents into knots with his swift footwork but he's quickly shut down. Intent from Wales though, and they've just been awarded the penalty. Biggar to kick.
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13 - 13 |
Biggar - penalty goal
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| 47 |
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Davies slices the kick high and not very far, but makes amends by collecting in the air. Offloads to Biggar to his left...
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Richie Gray closes down Biggar's kick and they pounce onto the loose ball! End to end stuff here, both sides are relying on their kicking but it hasn't been too easy on the eye so far...
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More kicking go on, a lot of it very aimless. A lot of charge downs, too. We've got a scrum now, just outside Wales' 22.
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And it needs resetting...
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| 53 |
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And again...
Referee says that he's going to penalties if either side engages too early.
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13 - 16 |
Penalty it is as Wales' loosehead is penalised for collapsing. Laidlaw teeing it up.
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| 56 |
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We're back to rugby tennis again. Both sides opting to kick, both sides doing well at charging either other down. Not much else to report on. Lack of shape from both sides during this half.
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| 58 |
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Wow! What a superb break from James down the left flank. He's run nearly the entire length of the pitch before a great tackle from Taylor saves them at the death. Diagonal chip from Biggar can't read Williams on the other flank and it's out for a lineout.
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| 59 |
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Shaky lineout from Scotland and they'll be grateful that a 5 metre scrum's been given. Scotland on the back foot after James' great run.
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| 61 |
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Davies offloads to Roberts who runs full speed into the Scottish defense on the line. Wales are just moments away from a try!
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| 62 |
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Penalty to Wales -- offside tackling from Scotland. And Warburton's side have opted for the scrum from 5m!
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| 64 |
20 - 16 |
Big shove from the Wales line again but Scotland are doing very well to keep them out!
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| 65 |
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WALES TRY!
And it's there! Jamie Roberts slams down for the five points! Two big collisions but no one could keep him out. It must be said it has been coming for Gatland's side.
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| 68 |
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Game has slowed dramatically down with a the scrum and a couple of substitutions. Both sides battling it out in the centre, but Wales are the ones with the ball in hand right now.
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| 69 |
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And Scotland claw the ball back momentarily before spilling it again! Wales back in control...
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| 70 |
25 - 16 |
Another scrum just inside the Scottish half.
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27 - 16 |
WALES TRY
Great try from George North! Scrum works well, Davies throws to North and a couple of mistackles from Scotland's defense gifts the winger the space. However, he still had a lot to do and navigates his way past the Scottish bodies excellently. That'll do him the world of good.
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| 73 |
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And we're back to scrummaging, but this time inside Wales' 22. Short break for treatments to a couple of players, but nothing serious to report on.
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| 74 |
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Wales emerge victorious from the scrum, Davies offloads to Biggar for his usual kicking up field antics.
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| 75 |
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Huge collision from Roberts and Cowan, and the latter is done for the day after that one. Looks shook and has rightly been taken off. Biggar's also off too, however it doesn't look injury related. We await the scrum to resume play...
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| 76 |
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Bash and barge from both sides in the middle of the pitch, and Priestland's first moment of play is to boot it long, just like Biggar would.
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And Scotland have been awarded the penalty, of which they've kicked into the corner to attempt to find a try.
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27 - 21 |
SCOTLAND TRY!
Duncan Taylor makes a great break forward, breaking Priestland's tackle before planting down. Credit must be given to Jackson's offload as it paved the way for Scotland's centre to make the try.
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27 - 23 |
Weir makes the kick... Can they force another try?
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| 80 |
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Nope! It's full time as Warburton kicks it out! FULL TIME Analysis just moments away...
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| 80+1 |
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ESPN's Martyn Thomas had this to say straight from Cardiff:
"Wales have lift off. This might not have been the performance Warren Gatland and his coaching team were looking for but a win is most definitely a win. And this one, as fortunate as the hosts were at times, could well set them on their way to a fourth championship under the New Zealander. Scotland were magnificent throughout but the contest turned on John Hardie's fumble and Tom James' dart upfield. The Cardiff Blues wing never looked like outpacing the Scottish defence but his intervention turn the momentum in his team's favour. Soon Wales had a second try, through Jamie Roberts, and when George North joined the party the home win was confirmed. Scotland will play worse and win but their long wait for victory over Wales goes on."
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