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Hello, I'm Shaun Rusk and I will be with you today for the clash between Wales and Scotland at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff starting at 14.00hrs GMT.
For both teams, having lost their opening matches, it is a 'must win' game. In truth it is far more of a 'must win' game for Wales rather than Scotland for if the home side really believes it is a top team then the Scots need to be put away - and put away in style.
Wales' coach Warren Gatland does seem to be a bit of a 'rent-a-'gob' and there was a good article yesterday by Graham Clutton of the Daily Telegraph warning Gatland to shut up making provocative comments and concentrate on getting his team walking the walk - not him just talking the talk!
The Scots welcome back Euan Murray at tighthead and Rory Lamont on the wing which will greatly strengthen the forwards and the backs, while Dan Parks inclusion at fly-half indicates a more territorial game-plan. The Aussie-born Scot, Nathan Hines, is a late injury and will be sorely missed in the engine-room of the pack and is replaced by the English-born lock Jim Hamilton.
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Welsh lock Alun Wyn-Jones got a lot of the verbal grief for his stupid yellow card last week but it is his fellow lock who has got the chop as Peter Jackson of the Daily Mail: comments today: "Luke Charteris carries the can for the English jumpers stripping the Welsh line-out cupboard as bare as Old Mother Hubbard's."
So who will win this 'clash of the celts'? - which, by the way, is a demographically dubious statement!
Wales may have lost last week but I felt they did have a great deal of control in the match and with a bit more skill precision and intent - as James Hook showed - they could have won and I expect them to win with a bit to spare today. If they don't then the pressure will really grow on coach Warren Gatland and he will really have to start talking if he is to keep his job!
Scrum.com's Huw Baines is at the stadium: "The crowd are slowly filtering in and the choir is in fine voice. Overcast and crisp - might yet be some of that rain that Warren Gatland's been dreading".
A piper is playing a lament (doesn't it always sound like a lament with the Scottish bagpipes!) for Bill McLaren who was a simply fantastic commentator. He really was able to light up a match with a small phrase.
The Scots enter the field but are led by full-back Chris Paterson who plays his 100th match for his country. A terrific achievement especially as he is not the biggest of blokes.
BBC TV Presenter John Inverdale says the atmosphere is spine cilling.
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Great atmosphere with God able to watch the greatest sport in the world.
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| 2 |
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Jim Hamilton penalised and then argues with the ref - are all locks brainless?
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| 3 |
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The Scots will tackle and tackle but it is a matter of the Welsh using what seems to be an innate skill of moving the ball to beat them.
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It is amazing what the mind can do but Wales seem to be hesitant. Their confidence isn't what it use to be and therefore plans/moves don't come off as they use to.
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Paterson is injured and may need to go off.
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0 - 5 |
TRY John Barclay goes through two Welsh players to score near the posts from the 22 metres line.
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| 9 |
0 - 7 |
Paterson seems to have recovered - but even half dead - he would have still be able to score that short conversion.
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| 10 |
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That score won't have helped the Welsh mind.
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| 12 |
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Paterson seems to have recovered - he dealt with an up and under well enough.
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| 13 |
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Roberts makes a break and passes to Hook who instead of really going for it passes inside to no-one in particular and the move breaks down when inside the Scots 22 - the Welsh mind is not at its best at the moment.
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| 14 |
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The ref seems to be going tit for tat in the scrum.
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| 15 |
3 - 7 |
Stephen Jones gets Wales' first points. On the field are two great kickers in Jones and Paterson.
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3 - 10 |
The Scot's fly-half Dan Parks is in Wales next season - I think he is joining the Blues.
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The Scots are working well and the forwards provide a platform for Parks to drop a goal.
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| 19 |
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Rory Lamont bursts through - kicks - but too far - drop out.
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TRY Wales are in disarray - mistakes being made and the Scots are full of vim and vigour and seem to have scored in the corner. Winger Max Evans does it.
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3 - 15 |
Paterson - difficult effort - hooks it. That was the full-backs first miss in a Six Nations match in THREE years - amazing!
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Scrum.com's Huw Baines at the stadium: The natives are restless. This first-up defence by Wales just isn't good enough. The Scottish contingent are enjoying their afternoon.
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6 - 15 |
SM Jones - penalty goal
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The daffadils in the crowd look like wilting what with this Scottish assault.
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6 - 18 |
Parks - penalty goal
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Here are some stats: Wales have made 7 errors while the Scots are faultless. Also the Welsh have missed six tackles while the Scots have only missed one.
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The Scottish forwards are really up for this game.
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| 30 |
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Shane Williams adds some spark with a lovely side-step - the crowd roar. The fans and the players need all their help they can get.
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| 31 |
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Paterson has to go off. How unfortunate in his 100th game. Max Evans comes on. The Welsh are so uncertain.
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Ryan Jones gives away an intelligent penalty on the Scots 22. The Scots had quite a healthy overlap if they could have got the ball away.
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| 33 |
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The Welsh lineout is again under pressure.
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| 34 |
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Wales are lucky. Dan Parks was aiming for his second drop goal and he should have scored.
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| 36 |
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Scotland seem to be winning all the 50-50 balls and the whole team seem to be making line breaks.
Andy Powell with the ball just outside the Scots 22 - the defence is stretched - and the blind side forward kicks the ball AND it goes in to touch. When I coach my under's 13's I would give the person a bit of a rocket if they did that - so why is an international player doing it?
Thom Evans is badly injured and the medical people are taking their time in getting him off - and rightly so.
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Mike Blair is on.
Strong Scots defence. They are moving up quickly and as one.
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Wales trying desperately to find a way through.
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Scot's coach Andy Robinson looks like the cat with all the cream - and with his usual sour face that takes some doing!
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9 - 18 |
Stephen Jones going for the posts with last kick of the half. The fly-half gets it and takes his total tally in the Six Nations to over 800 points.
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Wales are not out of this - and, over the last few years, they have managed to come back well in the second half - remember France a few years ago - Twickenham two years ago - even last week they could have won. But their minds don't seem to be as fit and able as they use to be. Can they discover that spark of mind and body in the second half? Should be a great second half.
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The first score of this half is the key - Wales score and it is game on - Scotland score and it could be all over.
My old mate Colin Charvis is on the BBC - I coached him a few years ago. He is a good lad.
The Scots get a penalty in front of the posts.
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9 - 21 |
Parks going for the posts - he scores. Lets see if my prediction of the first score comes true now.
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The Scots are doing the basics very well. No big passing movements but tackle, defend kick and catch.
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The Scots BUTCHER a two on one. That would have been game set and match. Sean Lamont with a simply dreadful pass.
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The Scots have been immense in defence - a very strong aggressive blue line.
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The Scots doing a lot of defending - I reckon a yellow card could be coming soon.
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The Welsh are piling on the pressure - but the Scots are holding on - but only just.
It will take its toll all this tackling.
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Gethin Jenkins is on - what a player in all aspects of rugby.
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Wales have had about 90% of the ball but the Scots have been dangerous when they get it.
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The Scottish players are not going to have fingernails by the end of the match because they are making fingernail tackles all the time.
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14 - 21 |
TRY Shane Williams makes a wide right break arching around the defence then straightens and passes on to Lee Byrne to score in the corner.
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It is an exciting yet intense match. Will the Scots tackling and general defence stand up to it? The Welsh are attacking but somewhat frantically - will their minds hold to the discipline and calm to score that vital try?
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Scrum.com's Huw Baines from the stadium: "Gethin Jenkins limping off - calf again possibly." Shame for the lad because he is a terrific player.
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Andy Nicol on the BBC saying that the Scots must not try and just defend if they are to win the match - they must attack.
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The Scots are having their first real possession of the second half now.
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I think the Scots really looking to get a penalty.
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14 - 24 |
A cross kick by Parks and Shane Williams is amazing to catch the ball as he beats two big blokes in the air - and calls a mark!
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Huge drop kick by Parks to score - today he can walk on water!
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The Welsh coaches are looking grim. Sam Warburton is on on the flank for Wales. They are looking to him to become the new Martyn Williams.
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The Scots are being warn by the ref regarding a yellow card SOON if not careful.
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BBC Commentator Jonathan Davies agrees with me regarding the Welsh coaches: "They are not a happy bunch."
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The Scots have won 10 from 10 in the lineouts. A very strong performance.
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Penalty to Wales - Yellow card - replacement hooker Scot Lawson goes. A really silly card - it was on the half way line. Why do it in not a dangerous position?
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Jamie Roberts scores - but it is disallowed for obstruction.
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It has been a tremendous, emotional match.
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21 - 24 |
TRY Leigh Halfpenny bursts down the line and round near the posts to score and sets up an amazing final three minutes.
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Jones quickly converts.
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Shane Williams seems like Wales' only real attacking threat. When he gets it anything can happen. Roberts burts through and kicks - he is knocked over - penalty. Phil Godman sent off - yellow.
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24 - 24 |
Jones ties the match. One more play.
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29 - 24 |
SM Williams - try
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31 - 24 |
Halfpenny 5 metres short and Shane Willaims scores under the posts to win the match - and what a match. Jones converts. The match ends - what an emotional match. There are incredible scenes. As BBC Commentator Jonathan Davies says: "What a match, what scenes."
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