SCOTLAND WALES

WALES threw their hat back into the Six Nations mix at Murrayfi eld but controversy threatened to blight a hard- fought victory over Scotland.

Rhys Webb and Jonathan Davies scored in either half as Wales recovered from the defeat by England to open their account in the championship.

But their ninth successive win over Scotland came to an unsavoury end.

Jon Welsh burrowed over in the fi nal minute, sparking a punch- up and when Finn Russell, who took an age to kick the conversion, cut the defi cit to three points, the match clock showed 79 minutes, 54 seconds.

That should have allowed Scotland one last chance to snatch a win or draw but referee Glen Jackson blew the fi nal whistle after being advised time was up by the TV match offi cial, sparking a tirade of boos and criticism.

Scotland captain Greig Laidlaw said: “From where I was sat [ on the sideline] I thought there was time to take the kick- off. If we were going to score is another matter, but we will never know now. The majority of the stadium felt the same but I don’t know if the clock on the TV was different to that in the stadium.”

Five years ago in Cardiff, Scotland were forced to restart after the clock had passed 80 minutes and Shane Williams scored a breathless winner deep into added time.

This latest controversy came at the climax to a busy afternoon for New Zealand offi cial Jackson, whose performance came under scrutiny from both sides. Scotland had two tries ruled out, Wales one, while Alun Wyn Jones was “adamant” he had prevented Welsh from grounding the ball for Scotland’s late try.

Wales coach Warren Gatland said Russell should have been shown a red card, rather than yellow, for a dangerous mid- air challenge on Dan Biggar, while Davies was also sin- binned for a similar, though less dramatic, infringement.

Scotland coach Vern Cotter had a list of complaints to raise with World Rugby’s referee bosses. “I’m sure others will look at the referee’s performance and decisions. We are in constant communication and will send something through that will help them,” he said. Gatland said: “My initial reaction was the fi rst card was red and the second one, I’m not sure. You have to live with the decisions and move on.”

Several of his players made an emphatic response to the England loss. Jones, Gethin Jenkins and Jamie Roberts were inspirational in defence,