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

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

By Ben Church
2 minute read
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.
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.
Richard Heathcote/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Jonathan Davies captained Wales for the first time in Rome where his side saw off Italy with tries from Josh Adams and Owen Watkin.
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.
Michael Steele/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Jacob Stockdale celebrates his first try of the campaign and his team's first win after overcoming Scotland in a tight affair at Murrayfield.
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.
Stu Forster/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
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.
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.
PAUL FAITH/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
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.
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.
Stu Forster/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
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.
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.
ANNE-CHRISTINE POUJOULAT/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
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.
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.
Stu Forster/Getty Images Europe/Getty Images
Six Nations 2019: How the championship has unfolded so far
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.
Wales move to within one win of claiming the Grand Slam title.
ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP/AFP/Getty Images

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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.
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.
VINCENZO PINTO/AFP/Getty Images
By way of example, these two Welshmen have dragons on their heads...
By way of example, these two Welshmen have dragons on their heads...
Michael Steele/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.
This English couple -- faces painted, rose-clad and covered in chain mail -- have arrived on inflatable horseback, presumably in cartoon homage to Saint George.
GEOFF CADDICK/AFP/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.
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.
Dan Mullan/Getty Images
Chain mail, jesters' hats and the longest of long lenses. How the papparazi have changed...
Chain mail, jesters' hats and the longest of long lenses. How the papparazi have changed...
GLYN KIRK/AFP/Getty Images
Ooh la la. This shouldn't be suave, but look of those eyes...
Ooh la la. This shouldn't be suave, but look of those eyes...
Warren Little/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.
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.
Michael Steele/Getty Images
Just look at that face paint! That Saltire is perfection -- the facial hair even adds to it.
Just look at that face paint! That Saltire is perfection -- the facial hair even adds to it.
ANDY BUCHANAN/AFP/Getty Images
There is all sorts going on here. Why the mini-flags? And the glasses? Who does that?
There is all sorts going on here. Why the mini-flags? And the glasses? Who does that?
Dan Mullan/Getty Images
On this monsieur's visage, you will find what is known as a Gallic rooster.
On this monsieur's visage, you will find what is known as a Gallic rooster.
Warren Little/Getty Images
What are lungs for, if not for bagpipes?
What are lungs for, if not for bagpipes?
Stu Forster/Getty Images
Nope, me neither.
Nope, me neither.
Michael Steele/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?
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?
ANDREAS SOLARO/AFP/Getty Images
This could almost be a game of "Where's Waldo?" -- a sole pink shirt among a sea of Irish green.
This could almost be a game of "Where's Waldo?" -- a sole pink shirt among a sea of Irish green.
Paolo Bruno/Getty Images
Look at those eyes fixed on that outstretched pint. The wide-brim hat is a lovely touch.
Look at those eyes fixed on that outstretched pint. The wide-brim hat is a lovely touch.
VINCENZO PINTO/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
A touch of class and sophistication amid the posse of dragons, roses and roosters.
A touch of class and sophistication amid the posse of dragons, roses and roosters.
Julian Finney/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.
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.
Michael Steele/Getty Images
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Chaotic second half

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.