Scotland Battle Back to Defeat Wales in Six Nations Clash
Scotland have secured consecutive wins following their opening defeat against Italy.
Tries: Carre, Adams Cons: Costelow 2 Pens: Costelow 2, Evans
Tries: Steyn, Russell, Graham, Turner Cons: Russell 3
In a thrilling Six Nations match held in Cardiff, Scotland overcame a significant deficit to claim a narrow victory over Wales. Despite trailing 20-5 and later 23-12, Gregor Townsend's team mounted a strong second-half comeback, culminating in a decisive try by replacement hooker George Turner in the 74th minute.
This marked the first occasion Scotland led during the match, following earlier tries from wing Kyle Steyn, replacement Darcy Graham, and fly-half Finn Russell, who contributed 11 points overall.
The pivotal moment came with Graham's try, capitalizing on a moment of Welsh defensive lapse following a restart, aided by some skillful play from Russell.
Wales had initially taken the lead with tries from prop Rhys Carre and Josh Adams, supported by 10 points from fly-half Sam Costelow.
Steve Tandy's squad, despite showing marked improvement, suffered a disappointing defeat, extending Wales' Six Nations losing streak to three years.
Scotland now have the opportunity to claim their first Triple Crown since 1990 if they defeat Ireland in Dublin on 14 March.
Scotland Complete Second-Half Comeback to Beat Wales
Following their opening day loss to Italy in Rome, Scotland have rebounded with two successive victories.
They have not defeated England, Ireland, and Wales in the same tournament for 36 years.
The question was whether Scotland could maintain momentum after their impressive 31-20 win against England. The answer was affirmative, despite having lost six of their seven matches following a win against England.
This victory marks Scotland's first four-game winning streak against Wales in a century and their first consecutive away wins in Cardiff since 1984.
Wales have dropped to 12th in the world rankings, while Scotland have climbed two places to seventh.
Wales showed strong moments but have endured 14 consecutive Six Nations defeats since their last win against Italy in March 2023, a span of 1,078 days.
They have also lost 11 straight home matches in the tournament since beating Scotland in February 2022, spanning 1,470 days.
Overall, Wales have suffered 24 defeats in 26 games since October 2023 and have won only one of 15 matches at the Principality Stadium.
Nevertheless, Wales restored some pride with an encouraging performance in front of 70,649 home fans, as Tandy narrowly missed out against the Scottish side he coached defensively for nearly six years.
Home captain Dewi Lake emphasized before the game the importance of energizing the Principality Stadium, which was achieved with a vibrant atmosphere.
There is now a break before Scotland host France and travel to Dublin, while Wales will play Ireland on 6 March and host Italy eight days later.
Wales Make Fast Start
Wales prop Rhys Carre has scored in back-to-back Six Nations games.
In response to heavy defeats against England and France, where Wales conceded 15 tries and 102 points, coach Steve Tandy made four changes to the starting lineup.
Uncapped Leicester wing Gabriel Hamer-Webb, Scarlets fly-half Sam Costelow, Dragons second-row Ben Carter, and Scarlets flanker Taine Plumtree replaced Ellis Mee, Dan Edwards, Adam Beard, and Olly Cracknell respectively.
Unlike previous matches where Wales started poorly, this time they began strongly.
However, Plumtree and Hamer-Webb both sustained injuries within the first two minutes. Hamer-Webb briefly left the field due to a bloody nose, while Plumtree was permanently replaced by James Botham after a shoulder injury.
Wales' discipline was again problematic early on, conceding two soft penalties. Additionally, Joe Hawkins was sent to the sin bin for a high tackle on Scotland flanker Gregor Brown, who had shifted from lock to back row to replace the injured Jamie Ritchie.
Wing Josh Adams made significant early contributions with a crucial tackle on Scotland centre Huw Jones followed by an important interception.
Despite being down to 14 men, Wales rallied. After a strong break from scrum-half Tomos Williams, the team executed a successful tap penalty move, identical to the previous week, with Carre diving over following an initial drive from Lake.
Hawkins' yellow card was maintained as a passive tackle, marking the 11th sin bin under Tandy's seven games in charge.
Scotland capitalized on the numerical advantage with a sweeping move finished by Steyn.
Upon Hawkins' return, Scarlets centre Eddie James, along with Lake, Carre, and flanker Alex Mann, set the platform for Adams to score his 24th try for Wales.
Costelow, starting his first game since July 2025, converted from the touchline.
Botham impressed after his early introduction, with a turnover leading to a Costelow penalty.
Scotland made tactical substitutions, bringing on prop Pierre Schoeman and back rower Josh Bayliss for Nathan McBeth and Max Williamson, with Brown returning to lock.
Following another strong break by Steyn, a crucial turnover by Mann forced a penalty, allowing Wales to lead 17-5 at halftime, the first time under Tandy they led at the interval.
Scotland Roar Back
Blair Kinghorn was one of five changes made by Gregor Townsend for the Wales game.
The attendance of 57,744 against France was Wales' lowest home crowd in the Six Nations, but the Principality Stadium atmosphere was electric, enhanced by a spectacular halftime show.
Costelow extended Wales' lead early in the second half with his second penalty, increasing the margin to 15 points.
Scotland responded with composure, executing a 27-phase move finished by Finn Russell.
Wales lost Costelow to a leg injury, with Jarrod Evans coming on and immediately slotting over a penalty.
Scotland introduced several replacements, including Edinburgh wing Darcy Graham for Van der Merwe.
Graham made an immediate impact, capitalizing on a Welsh error and a moment of ingenuity from Russell.
Botham was caught off guard from the restart as Graham gathered a quick Russell kick-off and outpaced Hamer-Webb to equal Van der Merwe's Scotland try-scoring record. Russell converted from the touchline, shifting momentum.
Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu delivered a strong tackle on Wales full-back Louis Rees-Zammit, earning a penalty, though Scotland initially failed to capitalize.
Pressure mounted on the Welsh defence, culminating in replacement Turner scoring the bonus-point try.
Russell converted and his late missed penalty was inconsequential as Scotland celebrated their victory, leaving Wales disappointed.
Wales: Rees-Zammit; Hamer-Webb, James, Hawkins, Adams; Costelow, T Williams; Carre, Lake (capt), Francis, Jenkins, Carter, Plumtree, Mann, Wainwright.
Replacements: Elias, Smith, Griffin, F Thomas, Botham, Hardy, J Evans, Murray.
Scotland: Kinghorn; Steyn, H Jones, Tuipulotu (capt), van der Merwe; Russell, White; McBeth, Cherry, Z Fagerson, Williamson, Cummings, G Brown, Darge, M Fagerson.
Replacements: Turner, Schoeman, Mills, Gilchrist, Bayliss, G Horne, Jordan, Graham.
Assistant referees: Karl Dickson (RFU), Adam Leal (RFU)
