Dynamic duo set up Triple Crown battle for Scots
FLOWER OF Scotland rang out at a boisterous Murrayfield as Stuart Hogg and Finn Russell – the epitome of an emerging and exciting Scotland side – dazzled to orchestrate their first victory over Wales for 10 years.
Russell kicked seven goals from seven attempts and Hogg was at the heart of everything Scotland did well with numerous classy attacking touches in victory watched by Lions coach Warren Gatland.
The dynamic Hogg is surely now the leading contender to play fullback against New Zealand this year and followed up three tries in the opening two games with a performance full of vim and vigour, frightening the Welsh defence with searing pace and sublime handling.
Russell, meanwhile, is quickly becoming one of the best attacking flyhalves in the Northern hemisphere but has added a calming influence to his game highlighted by his perfect record with the boot in a mature performance.
‘The boys were awesome today,’ Russell cooed. ‘It was always going
to be a tough game, especially with both teams coming off a loss. I’m so proud of the boys.
‘We knew if we were in the game at half-time then we would be good enough and we dug deep. I’ve got Greig (Laidlaw)’s boots on and I was happy to keep the scoreboard ticking over with my kicking.’
Scotland have had poor representation in recent Lions squads but have a number of in-form players making strong cases for inclusion. Brothers Jonny and Richie Gray headline a dynamic pack, injured captain Greig Laidlaw is a huge influence and centre Huw Jones has had an eye-catching start to his test career. Wingers Tim Visser, Tommy Seymour and Sean Maitland are accomplished finishers.
Visser and Seymour scored the tries against Wales but it was the inventive, electrifying duo of Hogg and Russell, never far from each other, who stole the show.
The Scots head to Twickenham in two weeks’ time hoping to ring up a clean sweep of victories against the Home Nations and Vern Cotter could barely contain his pride.
‘I’m really happy for a number of reasons,’ he said. ‘We set out to win the game but at half-time we weren’t particularly well placed to do that.
‘Some of the little things we needed to tidy up and bring in some intensity. The boys did really well.’
Flanker John Barclay assumed the armband in the absence of Laidlaw but he was ably assisted by the likes of Russell − whose contribution of 19 points saw the Scots to their biggest win over the Welsh since 1993.
The Dark Blues’ scrum that has creaked in both their opening day win over Ireland and the defeat to France in Paris also stood firm.
That collective effort will be required in spades if Cotter’s men are to shoot out the tires of Eddie Jones’ English juggernaut.
‘We’re on a roll,’ said the Kiwi before adding with a nervous grin: ‘That’s a joke obviously. We know how hard Twickenham is.
‘John did a great job out there steadying the ship.’
Liam Williams dived over after 22 minutes when Rhys Webb’s clever thinking caught the hosts off guard.
But with just a four-point interval deficit, Scotland were able to roar back. First Visser slotted in Seymour to score four minutes after the restart before he capped off a manof-the-match display with two more crucial interventions.
First he stopped Webb scoring with a last-ditch tackle before finishing off himself with 14 minutes left following a nerveless Hogg assist.