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Scotland boss 'proud' of comeback Six Nations win over Wales / Photo: © AFP
Scotland boss 'proud' of comeback Six Nations win over Wales
Scotland coach Gregor Townsend praised his side's resilience and rugby intelligence after a stirring comeback Six Nations Championship win away to Wales maintained their bid for a Triple Crown.
The Scots arrived in Cardiff following an excellent 31-20 defeat of England in Edinburgh.
During the Six Nations era, Scotland have beaten England on nine occasions but only once have they managed to win their following match -- against Wales in 2023.
It seemed there was yet more frustration in store for Scotland fans at the Millennium Stadium on Saturday as their side fell 20-5 and 23-12 behind to a resurgent Wales.
Scotland still trailed with just five minutes left when replacement hooker George Turner went over for a try that gave the Dark Blues the lead for the first time, with Finn Russell adding the conversion.
Scotland next play reigning champions France at Murrayfield on March 7 following the Six Nations' rest week.
They then conclude the tournament away to Ireland.
Victory in Dublin would give Scotland the Triple Crown -- the prize one of the four Home Nations of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales receives if they defeat all the others in a single Championship season -- for the first time since a 1990 triumph during the Five Nations era.
"They fought to the end and they were desperate to get the win but it was more than that," said Townsend of Scotland's performance on Saturday.
"It was control, it was intelligence, obviously a very close victory. But one that will do us a lot of good."
Wales' agonising reverse meant they suffered a 14th consecutive Six Nations defeat, a woeful run stretching back to 2023.
It was also their sixth defeat in seven games under head coach Steve Tandy, with Wales flanker James Botham saying: "The fact that it hurts is probably a good thing and that we were in it until the last minute."
Botham, the grandson of England cricket great Ian Botham, had a fine match after coming off the bench early on to replace the injured Taine Plumtree.
But there was little the Cardiff back-row could do after Russell's restart kick dropped over his shoulder and bounced backwards into the arms of Scotland flyer Darcy Graham who ran in a try that, with the conversion, cut Wales' lead to 23-19 before Turner's match-clinching score.
"That's international sport," said Botham. "If you look at all the teams everyone's so good now. Switch off for a split second and you're penalised for it."
D. O'Sullivan--BTZ
