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Scotland win in Wales for the first time in 18 years

Wales hosted Scotland for the last of their respective Six Nations matches of the 2020 Championsh...



Wales hosted Scotland for the last of their respective Six Nations matches of the 2020 Championship on Saturday in Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli.

Wales' Alun-Wyn Jones became the most capped international player in history, with 149 international caps; 140 for Wales and nine for the British & Irish Lions.

The 35-year-old looked to make the occasion even more special with a win, despite not being allowed to share the occasion with his family.

The Welsh came into the match without any hope of winning the championship, however a strong performance from Scotland, and some favourable results in the other fixtures, might have seen the visitors win the 2020 Championship.

More realistically, though, Scotland were chasing their first away victory against Wales since 2002.

The Scots did not let the pressure to score tries get to them early, as they opted to kick for posts at their first opportunity.

Finn Russell pushed the ball wide, but it remained in play and it took some composure from Wales to clear play off of their try line.

Scotland's Ali Price (left) releases the ball during the Guinness Six Nations match at Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli. Scotland's Ali Price (left) releases the ball during the Guinness Six Nations match at Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli. David Davies/PA Wire/PA Images

After ten minutes of Scottish territorial dominance, Russell got a second chance to get the first points of the game. He made no mistake this time, taking Scotland to an early lead.

Scotland spent most of the first 20 minutes camped inside the Welsh half, however every time they looked to capitalise on the field position, Gregor Townsend's men failed to execute the final pass or maintain possession.

As the first half progressed, Wales were able to make their way into the Scottish 22m.

With Fraser Brown struggling at the lineout due to the howling wind in Llanelli, Wayne Pivac's men regathered the loose ball, eventually allowing Rhys Carre to bash his way over the line for his first test try.

Dan Biggar was able to add the conversion right in front of the posts, taking the hosts to a four point lead heading into the final ten minutes of the half.

Wales' Alun Wyn Jones (centre) with the ball during the Guinness Six Nations match at Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli. Wales' Alun Wyn Jones (centre) with the ball during the Guinness Six Nations match at Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli. David Davies/PA Wire/PA Images

The visitors suffered a big blow in the aftermath of the Welsh try, as Russell limped off the pitch.

On the stroke of halftime, though, Russell's replacement Adam Hastings closed the gap through a penalty, that brought Scotland just one point behind Wales at half time.

Scotland started the second half in a similar fashion to the first, meaning that they enjoyed favourable territory, but failed to maintain possession with unforced errors and mistakes.

The hosts were able to absorb the pressure from Townsend's men for the first ten minutes of the second half, and began to apply their own pressure on the Scottish defence.

With the game on a knife-edge in the difficult conditions, both sides made use of aerial tactics in an attempt to gain the upper hand.

After an hour of play, the scores remained the same as they had been at half time, as Scotland began to build momentum into the later half of the second half.

The visitors though were awarded a penalty in the Welsh half, which they kicked for the corner.

After one of the few successful lineouts for either side in the blustering wind, Stuart McInally received the ball at the back of the Scottish maul and rode the wave over the try line. Hastings was unable to convert the extra points.

Wales' Josh Adams with the ball during the Guinness Six Nations match at Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli. Wales' Josh Adams with the ball during the Guinness Six Nations match at Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli. David Davies/PA Wire/PA Images

Almost immediately, however, Scotland were caught in their own half, holding onto the ball. Leigh Halfpenny, who won the penalty, closed the gap for the hosts, making it a one point game yet again, this time in favour of the Scots.

In the final ten minutes, the visitors began to play more intelligently, keeping Wales bogged down in their own half and managing the game very well.

Leading by just the one point, Scotland slowed the play down and looked to run the clock down.

They eventually coughed the ball up to Wales, who looked to travel 6o metres up the field. They were prevented from doing this, though, as Scotland were awarded a penalty in the final minute of the match.

In what was almost a replay of the final minutes of the European Cup final, Stuart Hogg kicked the final penalty of the match as the clock turned red.

Scotland earned their first win in Wales since 2002, winning the match 10-14 in a very windy Llanelli.

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Alun Wyn Jones Finn Russell Scotland Six Nations Stuart Hogg Wales