Gregor Townsend singles out Scotland star for 'actions and words' as verdict given on Wales win

The victory means Townsend’s side top the standings ahead of the Sunday game between France and Italy in Lille and have a realistic title chance with two matches to play next month, against the French at Murrayfield and Ireland in Dublin.

Scotland were able to follow up their win over England last week with a gritty performance in Cardiff. The home side led until the 75th minute but a late try from replacement hooker George Turner gave Scotland a bonus-point victory. They now have 11 points from their three matches, one more than France who have played a game fewer.

Darge was the player of the match in the Principality Stadium, winning two turnovers and making a number of dominant tackles as the visitors wrestled back control in the second half after trailing 17-5 at the interval.]

“I did think after last week this is going to be really hard for someone like Rory to play a third Test match in a row given the amount of hits he took last week,” said Townsend. “But he's an ultimate pro. He was training fully by Tuesday and Wednesday of last week.

“He's growing as a leader. When I left the changing room at half-time after I'd spoken to the players, it was Rory that got stuck into them as well. Obviously, Sione [Tuipulotu, the Scotland captain] would have the last word. But it's great when you're seeing those leaders, the vice-captains, finding a different way today of finding solutions on the field.

“And Rory really motivating the pack to be better in that second half. So it's not just actions, it's words that he delivered today.”

Having lost their opening game to Italy, then responding with a win over England, the pressure was on Scotland to back it up against a Wales side who had gone down heavily to England and France. That they were able to do so was hugely satisfying for the Scotland coach whose side have struggled in the past to follow Calcutta Cup victories with another win.

“I think we came over a hurdle today with having to come back against a quality team and how we played in that second half,” said Townsend. “We probably won't look at the history side of it. We know that was there. We wanted to build on that performance last week.

“Wales had all the momentum in that first half. I was just so proud to see the team staying together, finding solutions, not taking the easy way out. They fought to the end and were desperate to get the win.

“But it was more than that. It was control, it was intelligence. It was obviously a very close victory but one that will do us a lot of good.”

Scotland’s tries came from Kyle Steyn in the first half and Finn Russell, Darcy Graham and Turner in the second. Russell converted three of them. Wales scored tries through Rhys Carre and Josh Adams, with Sam Costelow kicking two penalties and two conversions. His replacement, Jarrod Evans, added a penalty.

There are no games next weekend and Scotland will return to action against France in Edinburgh on March 7 before taking on the Irish at the Aviva a week later. The latter game will be a straight shootout for the Triple Crown after Ireland’s crushing win over England earlier on Saturday.