Scotland run riot against Wales as Finn Russell shines in Six Nations win

11 February 2023 , 18:43

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Scotland's Blair Kinghorn breaks clear to score a try against Wales in the second half (Image: PA)

An impressive bonus point victory saw Scotland seal back to back Six Nations victories after an emphatic second half performance saw them run out 35-7 winners against Wales.

Following their bonus point victory against England last weekend Scotland came up against a youthful Welsh side who provided tough opposition in the first half with just the kicking of Finn Russell separating the sides.

Josh Turner's opening try was cancelled out by Wales skipper Ken Owens as Scotland led 13-7 at the break. However, it was in the second half that the hosts enforced themselves with winger Kyle Steyn scoring two tries with the help of kicker Russell, who shone throughout.

Russell combined with giant winger Duhan van der Merwe to release replacement Blaire Kinghorn and then the kicker also played his part in Matt Fagerson's fifth try. It is the first time Scotland have won their opening two Six Nations fixtures and they march on to face France on February 26.

Wales made a host of changes to their forwards following a 10-34 defeat in their opening Six Nations game against Ireland last weekend.

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Warren Gatland's side conceded three tries in the opening 20 minutes as they got their campaign off to the worst possible start. Gatland made a bold move dropping legends Justin Tipuric and Alun Wyn Jones, with Taulupe Faletau dropping to the bench with some budding stars handed their places.

In comparison Scotland made just one change from the side which beat England. Tighthead Zander Fagerson, returned from the hamstring injury which has ruled him out since December, replacing WP Nel in the front row.

Alun Wyn Jones was left out of Wales' starting line-up to face Scotland (PA)

Scotland had the chance to go top of the Six Nations group in front of a vocal Murrayfield. A lightening break by Huw Jones resulted in a penalty allowing Finn Russell to kick the opening points in front of the posts on nine minutes.

Gatland rued ill-discipline in his side's defeat last weekend and a second penalty allowed Russell to double Scotland's advantage to 6-0.

Wales had the chance to reply with a penalty in the corner on 18 minutes following a Liam Williams break, but elected to continue their pressure. Despite Wales having a scrum metres from the try-line Scotland stood firm before relieving the pressure.

Finn Russell scored two early penalties for Scotland (PA)

Wales had the chance to get themselves onto the scoreboard with a Dan Biggar kick but the fly-half sent his central kick from range wide.

Scotland winger Kyle Steyn came within a metre of opening the try scoring but was denied by a full blooded Dyer tackle. However, in the following play Josh Turner dashed over the whitewash and despite frantic efforts to hold him up the hooker grounded the ball for the opening try. Russell continued his perfect tally with the boot to kick the conversion and make it 13-0 on 31 minutes

Moments after scoring the try Turner was then penalised for a high tackle on George North resulting in a yellow card and Scotland down to 14 men. Wales penalised on Scotland's ill-discipline and drove the ball over the whitewash with skipper Ken Owens scoring the try. Biggar scored the conversion from a tight angle to pulled his side back within six points of their hosts at 13-7.

Ken Owens scoring Wales' first try to pull them back to 13-7 (PA)

In the final first half play Wales had a golden opportunity for a second try with the ball played quickly across to Dyer but the ball flew from within his clutches on the try-line.

Kicker Russell almost gave Scotland another opening kicking deep into touch but Turner dropped the ball as he lunged for the line.

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Moments later Duhan van der Merwe broke for the hosts before being halted with the following play resulting in a penalty. Scotland decided to continue their pressure on the first occasion before scoring a second try.

Some quick movement resulted in the ball coming to Russell who perfectly released Steyn for his side's second try. Composing himself Russell then slotted the conversion to go 20-7 ahead.

Kyle Steyn scores his second try during Scotland's third try against Wales (PA)

After a quiet first half giant winger van der Merwe was having a huge impact as the game wore on. Scotland pressure resulted in Liam Williams being booked as Wales faced an uphill task.

With the man advantage Scotland switched from one wing to the other with Russell kicking to Steyn who rushed over for a third try on 58 minutes. Russell missed his first conversion of the afternoon for Scotland as they led 25-7.

Wales responded to going behind adding pressure of their own inside the Scotland 22 but replacement Rhys Carre narrowly missed the ball when through the defence.

However, Scotland secured the win with a fourth try as Russell's kick released van der Merwe who charged forward before releasing Blaire Kinghorn. Despite Russell missing the conversion the hosts were 30-7 ahead.

Sealing a record home victory against Wales the hosts scored a fifth try with quick play releasing Matt Fagerson out wide and Russell missing the conversion from a tight angle.

Benjamin Goddard