Russell inspires Scotland to thrilling Six Nations comeback win against Wales

Scotland pulled off a dramatic comeback win against Wales to back up their impressive Calcutta Cup success the previous week.

Hosts Wales had the lead at half-time thanks to a spark lit by the wing Josh Adams but the visitors managed to fight their way to victory with a feeling they were lucky to come away with five points.

Scotland have only won the match directly after beating England twice before in this competition but they added another to the record books thanks to their maverick Finn Russell. Who else could it have been? The fly-half is one of the best in the world and has been the architect of Scotland’s biggest victories over the last few years. He was largely quiet in the first 40 minutes, such was Wales’s impressive start, but two fast-paced tries either scored or created by Russell set Scotland on the comeback path.

The victory not only kept Scotland’s title hopes alive but it also put them top of the table before France play Italy on Sunday. Although in years to come the history books will just tell the story of a Scotland win, nothing can take away from Wales’s revitalised performance. In the first two rounds they were convincingly beaten by England and France but here they had a chance to win right until the last minute. That may not be a consolation to a proud nation fighting to be back to their best but it is a big step in the right direction.

Cardiff on a Six Nations day is a special place to be no matter the form of the home side. The city was buzzing with anticipation for some quality rugby and a bright note for the hosts before kick-off was a healthy attendance of 70,649; a huge improvement from last week’s lowest ever Wales Six Nations crowd.

George Turner burrows over to score the decisive try for Scotland. Photograph: Kieran McManus/Shutterstock

On pitch it was a much more sunny affair too. Two penalties saw Scotland gain territory in the early stages and in a resulting attack, a dangerous tackle by Joe Hawkins led to the Wales centre being given a yellow card. Yet going a man down lit a spark in the home team with pressure relieved from Welsh shoulders as Adams stole a long pass meant for Duhan van der Merwe.

A lineout steal, two penalties and a few attacking phases later Rhys Carré was over. As soon as the referee, Matthew Carley, blew his whistle to confirm the try, the Principality Stadium was a blur of celebrating arms and the air in the city switched from scepticism to belief.

Kyle Steyn got Scotland on the board but it was Wales who continued to shine. Such was the hosts’ dominance that Gregor Townsend made two first-half changes with Nathan McBeth and Max Williamson axed before the break and Wales compounded their pressure with an Adams try and a Sam Costelow penalty putting them 17-5 up.

The start of the second half saw Wales heap more coal on the fire by winning penalties and crucially finding a way to stop Russell being at his best. But eventually the Bath man came good and his try gave Scotland a lifeline back into the contest before an imaginative play by the fly-half put Darcy Graham through.

A tight and contentious affair ensued with some excellent defence seeing the hosts repel multiple Scotland attacks. But it was only a matter of time before the dam burst and the replacement George Turner’s try decided the game, breaking every heart in Wales.

Wales did win their first point of this year’s competition and will have the fallow week to lick their wounds before they play Ireland in round four, while Scotland will be hoping their winning momentum can continue against France.