Wales burst Scotland’s Six Nations bubble and put themselves back in title contention with a 20-17 victory at the Principality Stadium.
Scotland suffered an 11th successive defeat against Wales in Cardiff – a sequence that stretches back 20 years – as they failed to build on last weekend’s stirring Calcutta Cup win over England.
But Wales recovered impressively from a 29-7 loss to Ireland as captain Dan Biggar, on his 100th Test match appearance for Wales and the British and Irish Lions, inspired the victory.
Biggar, who battled on after taking a blow to his knee, kicked four penalties and a 70th-minute drop-goal after his opposite number Finn Russell was yellow-carded by referee Nic Berry for a deliberate knock-on.
Prop Tomas Francis scored a first-half try for Wales, while Scotland wing Darcy Graham touched down and Russell slotted four penalties, but with Russell off between the 68th and 78th minutes, they lost their talisman figure.
Scotland remain in the title hunt ahead of hosting France in two weeks – when Wales tackle England at Twickenham – yet there will be a huge sense of frustration that Gregor Townsend’s team could not get the job done.
There will be an anxious wait for Wales, though, surrounding flanker Taine Basham, who escaped sanction for a shoulder-led challenge on Scotland’s Sam Skinner, but could yet attract the citing commissioner’s attention.
Wales showed four changes from their Dublin defeat, including a Test debut for Ospreys flanker Jac Morgan and wing Alex Cuthbert making his first Six Nations appearance since 2017.
Scotland had five switches of personnel, with Exeter’s Skinner replacing an injured Jamie Ritchie at blindside flanker, while Townsend also fielded a new front-row and lock Grant Gilchrist won his 50th cap.
The visitors made a bright start, with number eight Matt Fagerson and hooker Stuart McInally prominent, but Wales counter-attacked from their own 22 through a thrilling Owen Watkin break, then Biggar kicked a fifth-minute penalty from 40 metres.
Biggar doubled Wales’ advantage three minutes later, booting a second penalty following more impressive Wales phase-play, and Scotland were rocked back on their heels.
But they responded impressively, helped by a strong Duhan van der Merwe run, then Russell floated a pinpoint long pass to Graham, who finished in the corner for an outstanding try.
Russell missed the conversion before landing a short-range penalty, and it looked as if Scotland had weathered an early storm as they moved 8-6 ahead.
Another successful Russell penalty gave Wales further food for thought as rain fell steadily, only for Biggar to complete his penalty hat-trick and put his team back to two points adrift.
Russell followed suit through his own penalty treble, yet Scotland then experienced a testing few minutes as number eight Matt Fagerson went off injured then Wales hit them with a try.
Biggar opted to kick a penalty to the corner rather than for goal and Wales drove the resulting lineout to impressive effect, allowing Francis a simple touchdown that levelled things up at 14-14.
Townsend sent on a trio of front-row replacements just five minutes into the second period, and Russell’s fourth penalty put Scotland back in front with 30 minutes left.
Biggar and impressive full-back Liam Williams gave Wales injury scares, but they both continued after treatment and Cuthbert went close to scoring a try before another Biggar penalty levelled the game again.
Scotland suffered a second injury blow midway through the half when substitute prop Rory Sutherland departed, then Russell was sin-binned after Cuthbert was inches away from a corner touchdown.
Before the Scots could regroup, Biggar rewarded a spell of pressure with a drop-goal, before he was joined on the pitch by substitute Jonathan Davies, who also clocked up a century of Wales and Lions Tests.
Scotland threw everything at Wales during the closing minutes, but the hosts were not to be denied.
Here are the player ratings:
WALES
LIAM WILLIAMS: Impressed as Wales’ last line of defence and was also a threat in attack. Strong showing. 8/10
ALEX CUTHBERT: Made his first Six Nations appearance for five years and he relished the contest. Twice went close to a try. 7
OWEN WATKIN: Made a brilliant early break and was a solid and dependable performer. 7
NICK TOMPKINS: One of Wales’ best players in Dublin last weekend and he backed that up through another purposeful effort. 7
LOUIS REES-ZAMMIT: Much more involved than he was in Dublin. Came off his wing looking for work. 7
DAN BIGGAR: A heroic effort in his 100th Test for Wales and the British and Irish Lions by Wales’ captain, who played on after taking a blow to his knee and kicked four penalties and a drop-goal. 9
TOMOS WILLIAMS: A lively presence at the heels of his forwards. Another player who bounced back well from Ireland. 7
WYN JONES: Ensured Wales’ scrum was again solid with a battling display. 7
RYAN ELIAS: Continued his rich run of form from the autumn Tests and excelled in a gripping contest. 8
TOMAS FRANCIS: Scored a second try for his country as Wales put themselves back in the title hunt. 7
WILL ROWLANDS: Worked hard in the tight and loose, showing all his experience. 7
ADAM BEARD: Delivered a strong display, getting through a huge amount of work as Wales triumphed. 7
TAINE BASHAM: Lucky to avoid sanction for a late shoulder-led challenge on Sam Skinner, but his overall performance was again of a high standard. 7
JAC MORGAN: Excelled on his Test debut and forged a strong partnership with fellow flanker Basham. A fine effort. 8
ROSS MORIARTY: Offered Wales experience and tactical acumen at the back of the scrum. Strong showing. 7
REPLACEMENTS: Centre Jonathan Davies joined Biggar in Test rugby’s 100 club, while Aaron Wainwright also shone. 7
SCOTLAND
STUART HOGG: Escaped possible yellow card for deliberate knock-on, only flashes of huge running ability. 6
DARCY GRAHAM: Sublime footwork and strength to beat Louis Rees-Zammit all ends up for wonderful try. 8
CHRIS HARRIS: Resolute in defence but could not penetrate determined Welsh midfield opponents. 6
SIONE TUIPULOTU: Always eager to get ball in hand and take it to the line on his return to the starting XV. 6
DUHAN VAN DER MERWE: Touchline burst helped set up Graham try but not enough threat from giant wing. 6
FINN RUSSELL: Sound game management and kicked 12 points, but late yellow card proved costly. 6
ALI PRICE: Lively around the fringes and spotted space to start flowing move that led to Graham score. 7
PIERRE SCHOEMAN: The Edinburgh prop showed his strength in tight areas, getting over the ball well at the breakdown. 7
STUART McINALLY: Did well in early exchanges but made way like the rest of his front-row colleagues just after the break. 6
WP NEL: Penalised for collapsing the first scrum but stood firm and gave no quarter from that point. 6
JONNY GRAY: Struggled to make the impact he is capable of and made way in final quarter for debutant Rory Darge. 6
GRANT GILCHRIST: Led Scotland out to mark the occasion of his 50th cap and produced a solid shift. 7
SAM SKINNER: Called up to replace the injured Jamie Ritchie and no shortage of endeavour and commitment. 6
HAMISH WATSON: Typical all-action display in attack and defence and always attempted to get on the front foot. 7
MATT FAGERSON: Carried the ball well early on but unable to shake off a knock and withdrawn before half-time. 6
Replacements: Fagerson’s departure was a big loss following his man-of-the-match display against England, but replacement Magnus Bradbury did not let Scotland down. 6
Get the latest sports headlines straight to your inbox by signing up for free email alerts
