| Time |
Score |
|
| |
|
Hello and welcome to ESPNscrum's coverage of Scotland v Wales at Murrayfield
Forget the demise of tiki-taka. Wales' Warrenball has come under intense criticism after Gatland's side turned out a flat display against England last week.
But the Wales coach has come out fighting ahead of this vital clash against Scotland. Warren Gatland told BBC Sport: "Scotland have become a tough team to beat, particularly at home, but we're here to play some rugby. We didn't play any rugby last week, we got sucked into a kicking game."
And what of Scotland? An encouraging performance against France in Paris may have yielded no points, but will give Scotland plenty of confidence that they can beat Wales for the first time in eight years
Coach Vern Cotter also had some words for the BBC: "Expectations have been raised after our performance in Paris, but there should be some good rugby played today. Wales are a very good team. We will have to concentrate for the whole 80 minutes, because it's going to be a full-on arm wrestle."
Team news
Full line-ups are on your right, but the major talking point is man mountain George North being rested after his concussion controversy last week. Liam Williams comes in for him and will be looking to shrug off his own recent controversy, after dressing up as Swansea City striker Wilfried Bony in December.
Scotland, meanwhile have made two changes. At tight-head Geoff Cross comes in for Euan Murray, due to the match falling on a Sunday, while Sean Lamont replaces the injured Tommy Seymour on the flank. The bench is also altered with Jon Welsh, Greig Tonks and Matt Scott replacing Cross, Peter Horne and Dougie Fife respectively.
|
| 1 |
|
And we're off. Finn Russell kicks deep into the Welsh half, but the onrushing Scotland players are a bit too eager and Wales win an early penalty
|
| 2 |
|
Scotland will need to cut out those sort of errors if they are to stand a chance in this game. John Beattie helps Scotland drive forward, but they concede another penalty
|
| 3 |
|
Scotland seize the ball from a resulting line-out, but Russell's beautifully arcing kick can't quite find touch
|
| 4 |
|
Hibbert spots a gap for Wales, who win a penalty on Scotland's 22-yard line. This is an ominously powerful start from the Welsh
|
| 6 |
0 - 3 |
Early chance for Leigh Halfpenny then, who tends not to miss from here - and he sends it easily through the posts. You just can't concede penalties against Wales, Halfpenny will punish you all day
|
| 7 |
|
Williams gets on the ball for the first time, making inroads through the midfield. Scotland will need to make sure he doesn't have space to run into
|
| 8 |
|
Cuthbert makes some more ground on the opposite side, before Williams picks up again. He looks like he's about to break, but Scotland recover
|
| 9 |
5 - 3 |
Scotland need to get a grip here, the pressure is really building. Hang on...
|
| 10 |
7 - 3 |
Well, that came out of nowhere. Russell wins the turnover and suddenly Stuart Hogg has the freedom of Edinburgh to sprint into and sprint he does, going over the whitewash for a Scotland try. It's searing pace from Hogg, but far too easy from Wales. Laidlaw knocks over the conversion
|
| 11 |
|
Things were looking a bit menacing for Scotland, but suddenly they've got their tails up and are making serious yardage into Wales' half. Murrayfield is making some noise now
|
| 13 |
|
The latest wave of Scottish pressure comes to nothing, as Wales win a penalty off a collapsing scrum. Halfpenny kicks to touch
|
| 16 |
|
But again, Wales line-out is sloppy and Scotland win possession back. They have men over on the right-hand side, but a Mark Bennett mishandle ruins any momentum
|
| 17 |
10 - 3 |
Richie Gray climbs highest to win another line-out deep into the Wales half. Scotland are building their own pressure now. Laidlaw sinks a penalty right in front of the posts to give Scotland a little cushion
|
| 18 |
|
But Wales come roaring back again. An unbelievable take from Halfpenny leads to a break. End-to-end stuff as first Laidlaw then Williams nearly find a way through, before Scotland are penalised for not rolling away. Halfpenny with another easy chance for three points
|
| 19 |
10 - 6 |
And he takes it. The boot and hands of Halfpenny have been influential for Wales so far
|
| 21 |
|
Scotland have already had to make 45 tackles, to Wales' 23. They'll need to grab hold of the ball for a sustained period if they're not going to be battered into oblivion by this huge Wales side
|
| 23 |
|
A quickly taken Scotland line-out gives Dunbar a chance to gallop forward, but his progress is slowed near the halfway line, before it's halted altogether as Scotland are penalised for entering sideways
|
| 24 |
|
Halfpenny kicks sweetly into touch, to give Wales a chance to make inroads deep into Scotland's half
|
| 25 |
|
They take the line-out and have a penalty in hand. Halfpenny can't pick up a pass out on the left, so play is called back for the original offence. Wales, surprisingly, opt not to kick and are going for the try...
|
| 26 |
|
Scotland defend the resulting maul really well and earn a penalty. A chance to relieve some of the building Welsh pressure
|
| 27 |
|
Scotland win another penalty at the scrum five yards from their own try line and Laidlaw boots the ball into touch
|
| 28 |
|
Wales have been sound under the high ball so far and Cuthbert is the latest back to win the ball back from a Laidlaw up and under, taking the ball composedly from under the nose of Visser
|
| 31 |
10 - 9 |
Dan Biggar makes another huge catch for Wales from the high ball, diving over Finn Russell and picking up a heavy knock for his troubles. Russell is far too slow to turn away from the challenge and receives a yellow. Halfpenny grabs another three points from the resulting penalty
|
| 32 |
|
It's been a refreshing attacking display from Scotland, but defensively they're giving far too many chances to Wales. Halfpenny rarely misses from 40 yards let alone 22
|
| 33 |
10 - 14 |
Wales immediately take advantage of their extra man, sweeping straight across the line from right to left. Rhys Webb just about manages to juggle Jonathan Davies' pass and gets over the line for a Wales try. Halfpenny converts impressively from the line
|
| 34 |
10 - 16 |
That's 11 points from the boot of Halfpenny so far, with plenty more to come if Scotland don't reign it in a bit
|
| 35 |
|
It's yellows all round at Murrayfield. Jonathan Davies is the man penalised for Wales, jumping unfairly in a similar way to Russell
|
| 37 |
|
A monstrous drive from Scotland really turns the screw on Wales, but they are halted just metres from the try line. They'll take the penalty though and go again
|
| 38 |
|
One slightly odd musical interlude at Murrayfield later, and we're back under way. Scotland are only 15 yards out and Laidlaw brings that number down to two with a lovely blindside run
|
| 39 |
|
But it's a valuable turnover for Wales. Halfpenny's kick can only make it as far as Hogg, who spots the gap and drives back at the Welsh defence. Halfpenny redeems himself with a vital tackle on Hogg and Dunbar is the next to try his luck, but he is somehow halted right on the Welsh line
|
| 40 |
|
It's a thrilling way to end an excellent half of rugby. Scotland will be pleased with their performance so far but have to cut down the penalties if they are going to win this match.
Wales, for their part, have looked incredibly ominous at times, but are vulnerable to Scotland's pace and power on the break. If they can keep hold of possession, they certainly look like they will be able to blast their way through Scotland's midfield. But the longer they keep hold of the ball, the greater the gaps they leave at the back for Scotland to exploit. Which begs the question: should Gatland stick or twist?
|
| 40 |
|
We're back underway at Murrayfield. Russell has just come on to bolster Scotland's numbers, but it's another few minutes before Wales are back to 15
|
| 42 |
|
Scotland drive impressively from a scrum at the halfway line to earn a penalty. Laidlaw applauds his pack and rightly so, before Russell takes over and kicks serenely into touch
|
| 44 |
13 - 16 |
But Ford's throw from the line-out is too long and gives Wales a chance to break. Jamie Roberts spots a gap, but Dunbar brings him down and somehow wins a penalty despite being outnumbered three-to-one. Really impressive from Dunbar, he's had a good game. Laidlaw sends the kick through the posts for another three points.
|
| 45 |
|
Good start to the second half for Scotland, but they'll need to keep it up
|
| 46 |
|
Roberts takes another high ball down masterfully to keep Wales in possession near Scotland's 22 yard line
|
| 47 |
|
Wales win a scrum about 15 yards from Scotland's line
|
| 48 |
13 - 19 |
Webb recycles possession to give Wales a chance to make for the line with a penalty advantage in the bag. The move breaks down, however, and Halfpenny gobbles up the opportunity for another three points, the ball just clipping the inside of the post on its way through
|
| 49 |
|
Straight from kick-off, Wales fly back at Scotland and some neat interplay nearly sees Halfpenny dart through. Hibbard is sloppy in possession, however, and Scotland win the ball back. A couple more phases, and then Scotland win a scrum. Breathless start to the half
|
| 50 |
|
Wales' pack drives majestically but as the ball comes out from Faletau, Webb fumbles it and it's Scotland's ball again. Not sure the Welsh forwards will be too happy with their scrum-half
|
| 53 |
|
Scotland keep possession this time and win a penalty off Jake Ball
|
| 54 |
16 - 19 |
Laidlaw opts to kick. He's dead centre but 44 metres out, so it's going to have to be some kick...and it is! Powerful boot from the scrum-half, proving that Halfpenny isn't the only points machine on the pitch
|
| 55 |
|
This match is anyone's for the taking, but Scotland are dealt a blow as the imperious Richie Gray is taken off with a wrist injury
|
| 57 |
|
Williams with another up and under kick, Wales with another massive claim under the high ball. They have made so much ground today by being fearless in those positions
|
| 58 |
|
Quick hands from Halfpenny nearly sets Williams clear, but suddenly Beattie turns the ball over for Scotland...but in an illegal fashion. Penalty for Wales 15 yards from the try line. They kick to the corner and take the line-out
|
| 59 |
|
Jones takes it down safely and the Wales maul drives forward menacingly, but suddenly Williams emerges with the ball and dives over the line! Where did he come from
But it's no try. Williams appeared out of nowhere because Jake Ball and Alun Wyn Jones were obstructing the Scottish defence. The referee goes to TMO and disallows the try
|
| 61 |
|
Right call from the ref, Jones and Ball was clearly obstructing, but Wales are still cranking up the pressure
|
| 62 |
|
Halfpenny has another good chance from the tee...hang on, he's missed. Not by a lot, but he's actually missed. A rare mistake from Halfpenny. He made a similar error against England at a key point last week, and we all know what happened there..
|
| 63 |
16 - 24 |
Unlike their auld enemy though, Scotland just can't seem to get out of their own half. They're looking tired and Wales are growing in confidence...
And there it is, Jonathan Davies gets the ball about 22 yards from the try line, breaks a couple of meek tackles and bundles home. Halfpenny converts and it's a long way back for Scotland from here
|
| 64 |
16 - 26 |
Gray and Scott both looked knackered as they tried to bring down Davies there. That try had Gatland's stamp all over it. Phase after phase of big, powerful forwards making marginal gains, before using one of their huge backs to break through and score. Credit to Davies, he used every inch of his huge frame to burst over the line
|
| 67 |
|
Suddenly Scotland burst through again, first via Hogg and then Visser makes for the line. Somewhat predictable running slows them down, but they're still just feet from the line. A mishandle from Laidlaw loses two valuable yards, but the pressure continues to build and eventually tells, Scotland winning a penalty. Ross Ford takes the...interesting decision to tap and go, but Scotland continue to drive
|
| 70 |
|
Another advantage to Scotland, they're just two metres from the line. Gray and Harley continue to push Wales back but the men in red continue to defend ferociously
|
| 71 |
|
Suddenly the move breaks down and Wales have the penalty. They probably deserve that, it really was heroic defending as Scotland threw everything but the kitchen sink
|
| 72 |
|
Scotland win another penalty at halfway, but Russell really shanks his kick. Disappointing, and Scotland are suddenly looking exhausted again. TV cameras cut to Scotland coach Vern Cotter (I accidentally typed Fearne Cotton twice there, it's been one of those sort of games) and he does not look happy
|
| 73 |
|
Hogg, one of Scotland's brightest sparks, turns on the afterburners to break through a couple of tackles and get the Murrayfield crowd on their feet again. But, frustratingly, the move peters out again and Scotland concede another penalty, releasing the pressure
|
| 74 |
|
In the midst of all that, Mark Bennett has a try disallowed after a knock-on. It's cruel on Bennett, who took the ball magnificently
|
| 77 |
|
A scrum eats up more time and this game is almost over
|
| 79 |
23 - 26 |
Scotland once again drive for the Welsh line and finally make it over via Jon Welsh. It's almost certainly too little too late and things get a bit farcical as the entire Wales team dive on the ball to eat up a bit more time
For some inexplicable reason, Russell takes about 30 seconds to set up his conversion and by the time he gets it over, the clock has moved ominously towards 80:00. In fact, the referee's decided that it's already gone past the 80 minute mark and it's game over for Scotland. They battled hard, but ultimately, Wales battled a little bit harder and on the balance of play, probably deserved the win
|
| 80 |
|
An odd finish to an odd game. Replays suggest that the referee should have stopped the clock when Wales prevented the ball going to Russell for the conversion, then Russell took an age to set up his kick, but even after it went over there were four seconds on the clock, so why were Scotland not given the chance to go for the win?
Regardless, sloppy mistakes in the first half eventually counted against Scotland and although they flickered into life deep into the second half, it was too little, too late
Thanks for joining us and be sure to join us in two weeks time as Scotland take to Murrayfield again, this time to play Italy. See you then
|
