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 until the 74th minute thanks to a spark lit by the wing Josh Adams, leaving the visitors with a feeling that they were lucky to come away with five points which sent them to the top of the Six Nations table.

This was just the third time Scotland have won the match directly after a victory over rivals England in the Six Nations and their second-half resurgence came at the hands of their maverick Finn Russell. Who else would 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, such was Wales’ impressive start, but two fast paced tries either scored or created by Russell set Scotland on the comeback path.

Although in years to come the history books will just tell the story of a Scotland win, nothing can take away from Wales’ revitalised performance. In the first two rounds they were convincingly beaten by England and France but here they had a chance to win right up until the last minute. That may not be a consolation to a proud nation who are fighting to be back to their best and for their first win in this competition since 2023 but it is a big step in the right direction.

Wales also contended with injuries to Sam Costelow and Taine Plumtree and the head coach Steve Tandy said both “don’t look great”. The Wales captain Dewi Lake added the loss is gut-wrenching: “It’s a tough feeling because you know the performance is there. The things we spoke about working on in the week I think we delivered. I think in that first half we were dominant, we applied pressure, we attacked them.

“We have spoken a lot about staying in moments and we probably didn’t do that for the full 80 which is why the scoreboard has gone against us. I think we did enough to win that game which is what makes it so tough.”

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

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

Supporters watched on as two penalties saw Scotland gain territory in the early stages and in a resulting attack a dangerous tackle by Joe Hawkins saw the Wales centre given a yellow card which was sent to bunker review, the decision later coming not to upgrade to a red. A certain try looked on from Scotland, trying to take advantage of being a man up, but pressure was 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. The try was met with a blur of flaying celebrating arms and the air in the Welsh 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 turned their pressure into points which put 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, from a restart, put Darcy Graham through. A tight and contentious affair ensued with some excellent defence enabling the hosts to repel multiple Scotland attacks. But it was only a matter of time before the dam burst and Welsh hearts broke as the replacement George Turner’s try decided the game.

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 see them overcome France to give them a chance to win the Six Nations for the first time.