Six Nations: Wales close in on Grand Slam title with win over Scotland

By Ben Church
Published 11:55 AM EST, Sat March 9, 2019
England secured its biggest ever victory over France in the Six Nations, outscoring Les Bleus six tries to one. Jonny May (right) grabbed three in the first half.
Photos: One continent, six teams, 15 games
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England 44-8 France —
England secured its biggest ever victory over France in the Six Nations, outscoring Les Bleus six tries to one. Jonny May (right) grabbed three in the first half.
Jonathan Davies captained Wales for the first time in Rome where his side saw off Italy with tries from Josh Adams and Owen Watkin.
Photos: One continent, six teams, 15 games
PHOTO: Michael Steele/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Italy 15-26 Wales —
Jonathan Davies captained Wales for the first time in Rome where his side saw off Italy with tries from Josh Adams and Owen Watkin.
Jacob Stockdale celebrates his first try of the campaign and his team's first win after overcoming Scotland in a tight affair at Murrayfield.
Photos: One continent, six teams, 15 games
PHOTO: Stu Forster/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Scotland 13-22 Ireland —
Jacob Stockdale celebrates his first try of the campaign and his team's first win after overcoming Scotland in a tight affair at Murrayfield.
England stunned Ireland, who only lost one Test match last year, in Dublin to round off the first weekend of Six Nations. Two tries from Henry Slade and one each from Jonny May and Elliot Daly handed the visitors a famous win.
Photos: One continent, six teams, 15 games
PHOTO: PAUL FAITH/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Ireland 20-32 England —
England stunned Ireland, who only lost one Test match last year, in Dublin to round off the first weekend of Six Nations. Two tries from Henry Slade and one each from Jonny May and Elliot Daly handed the visitors a famous win.
Scotland got its campaign off to a winning start with a convincing victory over Italy at Murrayfield. Wing Blair Kinghorn (pictured) scored three tries, the first Scotsman to do so in the Six Nations for 30 years.
Photos: One continent, six teams, 15 games
PHOTO: Stu Forster/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Scotland 33-20 Italy —
Scotland got its campaign off to a winning start with a convincing victory over Italy at Murrayfield. Wing Blair Kinghorn (pictured) scored three tries, the first Scotsman to do so in the Six Nations for 30 years.
Despite leading 16-0 at halftime, France made a series of errors to cough up its lead to Wales in the opening game of the Six Nations.
Photos: One continent, six teams, 15 games
PHOTO: ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
France 19-24 Wales —
Despite leading 16-0 at halftime, France made a series of errors to cough up its lead to Wales in the opening game of the Six Nations.
Wales moved within one win of the Grand Slam title after a hard-fought victory over Scotland. The hosts piled on the pressure in the second half but the Welsh defense managed to resist.
Photos: One continent, six teams, 15 games
PHOTO: Stu Forster/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Scotland 11-18 Wales —
Wales moved within one win of the Grand Slam title after a hard-fought victory over Scotland. The hosts piled on the pressure in the second half but the Welsh defense managed to resist.
(CNN) —  

Wales survived a second half scare against Scotland to move to within one win away from the Six Nations title and Grand Slam glory.

It was made to work for its 11-18 victory though, with a depleted Scotland side left disappointed not to have made the most of a chaotic second period in which Wales failed to score until the last minute.

Warren Gatland’s team, who have won 13 matches in a row, will now have the chance of lifting the trophy in Cardiff next week with a win over Ireland.

Wales move to within one win of claiming the Grand Slam title.
ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Wales move to within one win of claiming the Grand Slam title.

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Scotland had started the match on the front foot as the home supporters inside Murrayfield Stadium made their voices heard, with Finn Russell kicking a straightforward penalty to open the scoring.

But the dropped points seemed to shock Wales into action. Less than two minutes after the restart the visitors were in front thanks to a wonderful finish from Josh Adams.

The winger expertly sidestepped the Scottish defense to continue his impressive form in this year’s championship.

Despite Wales’ dominance, it was only able to score one more try before the half time whistle – with Jonathan Davies powering over the line.

There is something about the Six Nations Championship that brings out both the best and the peculiar in European rugby fandom. From leprechauns to nuns, gladiators to chickens, it is a beer-fueled festival that has it all.
Photos: The Six Nations' finest fans
PHOTO: VINCENZO PINTO/AFP/Getty Images
There is something about the Six Nations Championship that brings out both the best and the peculiar in European rugby fandom. From leprechauns to nuns, gladiators to chickens, it is a beer-fueled festival that has it all.
By way of example, these two Welshmen have dragons on their heads...
Photos: The Six Nations' finest fans
PHOTO: Michael Steele/Getty Images
By way of example, these two Welshmen have dragons on their heads...
This English couple -- faces painted, rose-clad and covered in chain mail -- have arrived on inflatable horseback, presumably in cartoon homage to Saint George.
Photos: The Six Nations' finest fans
PHOTO: GEOFF CADDICK/AFP/Getty Images
This English couple -- faces painted, rose-clad and covered in chain mail -- have arrived on inflatable horseback, presumably in cartoon homage to Saint George.
Ah yes, the daffodil -- a symbol of Wales like few else. Daffodils everywhere -- back, arms, legs, backside. Note the baffled smirks of the passers-by.
Photos: The Six Nations' finest fans
PHOTO: Dan Mullan/Getty Images
Ah yes, the daffodil -- a symbol of Wales like few else. Daffodils everywhere -- back, arms, legs, backside. Note the baffled smirks of the passers-by.
Chain mail, jesters' hats and the longest of long lenses. How the papparazi have changed...
Photos: The Six Nations' finest fans
PHOTO: GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images
Chain mail, jesters' hats and the longest of long lenses. How the papparazi have changed...
Ooh la la. This shouldn't be suave, but look of those eyes...
Photos: The Six Nations' finest fans
PHOTO: Warren Little/Getty Images
Ooh la la. This shouldn't be suave, but look of those eyes...
If ever there was an outfit that contrasted a team's form, this optimistic Italian's gladiatorial splendor doesn't quite match Italy's recent Six Nations record. Sergio Parisse and co. are without a win since 2015.
Photos: The Six Nations' finest fans
PHOTO: Michael Steele/Getty Images
If ever there was an outfit that contrasted a team's form, this optimistic Italian's gladiatorial splendor doesn't quite match Italy's recent Six Nations record. Sergio Parisse and co. are without a win since 2015.
Just look at that face paint! That Saltire is perfection -- the facial hair even adds to it.
Photos: The Six Nations' finest fans
PHOTO: ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP/Getty Images
Just look at that face paint! That Saltire is perfection -- the facial hair even adds to it.
There is all sorts going on here. Why the mini-flags? And the glasses? Who does that?
Photos: The Six Nations' finest fans
PHOTO: Dan Mullan/Getty Images
There is all sorts going on here. Why the mini-flags? And the glasses? Who does that?
On this monsieur's visage, you will find what is known as a Gallic rooster.
Photos: The Six Nations' finest fans
PHOTO: Warren Little/Getty Images
On this monsieur's visage, you will find what is known as a Gallic rooster.
What are lungs for, if not for bagpipes?
Photos: The Six Nations' finest fans
PHOTO: Stu Forster/Getty Images
What are lungs for, if not for bagpipes?
Nope, me neither.
Photos: The Six Nations' finest fans
PHOTO: Michael Steele/Getty Images
Nope, me neither.
It wouldn't be Six Nations rugby without a "nun" at the Stadio Olimpico. There are almost too many elements here to analyze. The rope, the cross, the man -- ticket semi-digested, beer clutched -- his startled face etched with a confused angst. Did he forget to lock the front door?
Photos: The Six Nations' finest fans
PHOTO: ANDREAS SOLARO/AFP/Getty Images
It wouldn't be Six Nations rugby without a "nun" at the Stadio Olimpico. There are almost too many elements here to analyze. The rope, the cross, the man -- ticket semi-digested, beer clutched -- his startled face etched with a confused angst. Did he forget to lock the front door?
This could almost be a game of "Where's Waldo?" -- a sole pink shirt among a sea of Irish green.
Photos: The Six Nations' finest fans
PHOTO: Paolo Bruno/Getty Images
This could almost be a game of "Where's Waldo?" -- a sole pink shirt among a sea of Irish green.
Look at those eyes fixed on that outstretched pint. The wide-brim hat is a lovely touch.
Photos: The Six Nations' finest fans
PHOTO: VINCENZO PINTO/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Look at those eyes fixed on that outstretched pint. The wide-brim hat is a lovely touch.
A touch of class and sophistication amid the posse of dragons, roses and roosters.
Photos: The Six Nations' finest fans
PHOTO: Julian Finney/Getty Images
A touch of class and sophistication amid the posse of dragons, roses and roosters.
An image of so many layers. If you can look past the daffodil head frames and the half-and-half scarves, there's actually a man coming up behind on the shoulders of a toy child. What a tournament.
Photos: The Six Nations' finest fans
PHOTO: Michael Steele/Getty Images
An image of so many layers. If you can look past the daffodil head frames and the half-and-half scarves, there's actually a man coming up behind on the shoulders of a toy child. What a tournament.

Chaotic second half

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Failure to capitalize on their early superiority almost came back to bite the visitors in the second period.

Scotland began to make a game of it and Darcy Graham finished off a wonderful move that seemed to give the hosts a new lease of life.

The more Wales tried to close out the game the more Scotland began to find gaps in the usually formidable Welsh defense.

But despite the late surge, Scotland was unable to land the final blow and Wales finished off with a penalty in the final minute.

It’s the hosts’ third loss of this year’s championship, but Scotland can be pleased with a second half performance that almost won the match.