Pivac hails ‘exciting’ Kingsholm star Louis

WALES boss Wayne Pivac hailed a stunning performance by Louis Rees-Zammit after the Gloucester wing’s try double secured a thrilling 25-24 Guinness Six Nations victory over Scotland, writes Andrew Baldock of the press Association.

Scotland were looking to build on last week’s historic Twickenham win over England and got off to the perfect start at Murrayfield with tries from Darcy Graham and Stuart Hogg.

But their hopes were wrecked when Zander Fagerson was sent off for a dangerous clear-out in the second-half, and Wales ruthlessly exploited their numerical advantage.

Rees-Zammit, making only a second Six Nations appearance, followed up his touchdown against Ireland last weekend with two more, including a brilliant individual effort from just inside Scotland’s half.

Assessing the 20-year-old’s display, Pivac said: “He was exciting with the ball, wasn’t he? He took his opportunities very well. He’s still got work to do on his game, without the ball, and that’s the exciting thing. He’s going to be a very exciting player for us, going forward.

“He’s got confidence with the ball in hand, he’s got the pace, and you can’t coach that. He’s very, very quick.”

Rees-Zammit touched down just before half-time to keep Wales in the contest, and his second try - after Liam Williams and Wyn Jones had also scored - confirmed a bonus-point win and a first away victory of Pivac’s 12-Test reign.

Pivac was without a quarter of his original 36-man Six Nations squad due to injuries or suspension, and he added: “It was a great result for our team, our squad.

“We had to go deep into the squad in certain positions with the injuries we’ve had. It bodes well for the future. Everybody put their hand up when they needed to. The atmosphere in the group, the environment in training is a very good one.”

England are next up for unbeaten Wales later this month.

Fagerson was dismissed for a shoulder-led challenge into Wales prop Wyn Jones at a ruck, which left Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend in reflective mood.

“I didn’t think they (officials) had much of a discussion and I didn’t think they showed enough of the angles,” Townsend said. “They showed one slow motion angle to begin with, then took ages to find another one. The TMO (television match official) did say that, because of the player’s late movement, you should make sure there’s no mitigation there, but I thought the whole process could’ve been much better. It’s obviously very serious when someone gets a red.”