By Chloe Evans
Just as Wales dared to dream about a first Six Nations win since 2023, reality bit in the shape of a late Scotland comeback.
Steve Tandy’s battered and bruised team led 20-5 early in the second half after tries from prop Rhys Carre and wing Josh Adams.
But they couldn’t hold on. Scotland won the second half 21-6 thanks to tries from Finn Russell, Darcy Graham and George Turner, and ultimately broke Welsh hearts at the Principality Stadium.
Wales started off unlucky with only being 2 minutes into the game. Wales started off with a substitution with second-row Dafydd Jenkins coming off with injury and Blair Murray coming on to continue the match.
Wales scrum-half Joe Hawkins was yellow-carded for a tug on a Scottish player’s leg as early as the fourth minute, but it didn’t stop the home side opening the scoring.
Carre got the touchdown and fly-half Sam Costelow added the extras for a 7-0 lead.
A Kyle Steyn try reduced the deficit to 7-5, but in the 20th minute Adams put more daylight between the two sides.
Costelow’s boot crafted a 15-point lead for Wales until the 55th minute, when Russell’s try and conversion brought things back to 20-12.
When Jarrod Evans replaced the injured Costelow moments later, his first act was to land a penalty and increase the home lead to 23-12.
But that was as good as it got for Wales.
Graham’s converted try got the Scots back to within four points at 23-19 and the writing was on the wall.
When Turner went over in the 74th minute, it marked reward for relentless pressure by the visitors in the final quarter as Wales tried desperately to cling on.
Russell’s conversion took it 26-23 and during the remaining minutes a Wales turnaround didn’t look remotely likely as Scotland controlled field position and possession.
This was unquestionably an improvement from Wales, but their next assignment in a fortnight looks more daunting – Ireland in Dublin.