Wales Vs Scotland: Scotland snatch 26-23 Cardiff win as late Turner try seals comeback

The Wales Vs Scotland clash in Cardiff finished 26-23 as Scotland overturned a 17-5 half-time deficit to take the Doddie Weir Cup and record a historic fourth successive win over Wales. The outcome matters because Wales had looked set to end a long Six Nations losing run but instead the result compounds a series of recent defeats and reshapes both sides' momentum heading into the next round.

Wales Vs Scotland at the Principality Stadium

Scotland lifted the Doddie Weir Cup at the Principality Stadium after a second-half comeback that left Cardiff stunned. Wales had led 17-5 at half-time, with Rhys Carre and Josh Adams crossing for tries that gave Steve Tandy’s side hope of ending a 13-game Six Nations losing streak; that run now stands at 14 defeats in the competition. The defeat also extended Wales’ poor run at home, taking their tally to 11 successive Six Nations fixtures without victory at the Principality Stadium.

Rhys Carre and Josh Adams set the half-time tone

Prop Rhys Carre opened Wales’ scoring after a quick-tapped Dewi Lake penalty, and wing Josh Adams scored in the 19th minute to make it 14-5 after Sam Costelow’s conversion. Costelow added a 31st-minute penalty to stretch the lead to 17-5 at the break. Adams’ try was noted as his 23rd international try. Eddie James and Alex Mann were involved in the phases leading to Adams’ score, and Costelow finished with 10 points from the kicking tee and was singled out for his flat passing that unlocked Scotland’s defence.

Finn Russell, Darcy Graham and George Turner drive Scotland comeback

Scotland hit back after the interval. Kyle Steyn’s first-half try had kept the visitors in touch, and in the second half Finn Russell crossed and then produced the assist for Darcy Graham to score directly from the restart, a swing moment credited with changing momentum. Replacement hooker George Turner finished a forward drive to take the lead with a maul try late in the match, sealing a 26-23 turnaround. The timing of Turner’s score is unclear in the provided context, with one account placing it in the 74th minute and another describing it as a converted 75th-minute maul try.

Joe Hawkins yellow card, Gabriel Hamer-Webb debut and injuries

Discipline and injury incidents punctuated the match. Wales centre Joe Hawkins was shown a yellow card for a high tackle on Gregor Brown and was described as fortunate to avoid what might have become a 20-minute red-card outcome. Gabriel Hamer-Webb made his Wales debut but suffered an early facial injury and required treatment for a bloody nose before returning. Taine Plumtree was forced off injured, and Scotland made late tactical substitutions: Nathan McBeth and Max Williamson were hooked shortly before half-time and replaced by Pierre Schoeman and Josh Bayliss.

Selections, form lines and immediate consequences

Scotland had recalled Blair Kinghorn and Duhan van der Merwe for the fixture; Kinghorn supplied the assist for Kyle Steyn’s try and van der Merwe later featured in attacking sequences, one of which involved a pass that eluded Huw Jones. The match followed contrasting recent results: Wales had been beaten 54-12 by France in Cardiff six days earlier, a loss that was identified as their 23rd in 25 outings, while Scotland had previously beaten England 31-20 at Murrayfield. What makes this notable is that Scotland’s win represents their fourth successive victory over Wales for the first time in 99 years, a historic milestone that amplifies the significance of the comeback.

Reactions, assessment and the path ahead

Wales captain Dewi Lake described the defeat as gut-wrenching, while former Wales captain Alun Wyn Jones called the performance a "massive foundation builder" for Steve Tandy’s side. The immediate fixtures are set: Wales now travel to Ireland on Friday, 5 March; Scotland host France the following day; and both nations look ahead to the final weekend with a Triple Crown showdown scheduled in Dublin. The timing matters because both teams will have limited recovery and preparation time before these consequential matches.