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International Round-Up: Wales set-up Grand Slam clash

First Team News | 11th March 2019


Wales took on Scotland in three Six Nations fixtures over the weekend, as 13 Cardiff Blues players featured in international action for their respective sides.

Scotland 11 Wales 18

Wales kept their Grand Slam bid on tracks with a hard-fought victory over Scotland at BT Murrayfield on Saturday.

Gareth Anscombe and Josh Navidi both featured for the full 80-minutes, while Dillon Lewis made an appearance from the bench.

Playmaker Anscombe contributed eight points from the tee and was a crucial spark in the attack for Wales. A perfectly-timed delayed pass drew defender Darcy Graham out of the line and paved way for Jonathan Davies to cross the whitewash for a second first half try, adding to Josh Adams' earlier effort.

Wales had to dig deep in the second half as an inspired Scotland side looked to spark a dramatic comeback, but Navidi contributed to a monumental defensive effort with 22 tackles, which was only topped by fellow back row, Justin Tupuric.

The win set-up a titanic Grand Slam decider in the Welsh capital on Saturday, as Ireland visit the Principality Stadium. Join Cardiff Blues for a live showing of the clash at the Guinness Fan Zone in the Arms Park. Entry will be on a first come, first served basis.

 

 

Scotland Women 15 Wales Women 17

Rowland Phillips' side picked up their first win of the Championship in dramatic fashion, as they squeezed past their Scottish counterparts at Scotstoun Stadium.

After Jade Konkel crossed for an early score for the hosts, Cardiff Blues' Robyn Wilkins replied with a penalty to get the scoreboard ticking for Wales.

Wilkins, who has worn the number 10 jersey throughout the campaign, also added the extras following Bethan Lewis' try, giving the visitors a 10-5 lead.

Scotland battled back to regain the lead with unconverted tries from Sarah Bonner and Chloe Rollie, but the six points missed from the tee proved vital to the outcome.

As Wales looked for a stunning comeback, teenage back row, Manon Johnes was introduced from the bench for her third appearance of the Championship.

However, Siwan Lillicrap powered over from close range in the final minute, setting up Lleucu George, on her first start, to strike the match-winning conversion.

Wales Women welcome Ireland to Cardiff Arms Park next week for the final clash of the campaign.

 

Scotland under-20 27 Wales under-20 20

Wales under-20's hopes of clinching the Six Nations title came to an end in Edinburgh on Saturday, as Scotland claimed their first win of the campaign.

Cardiff Blues youngsters Max Llewellyn, Ioan Davies, Ben Warren and Teddy Williams were retained in the starting line-up, while academy back row Ioan Rhys Davies made his debut from the bench.

Scotland sealed the bonus point before Wales struck back with tries from Will Griffiths and Sam Costelow, but it was too little, too late for Gareth Williams' side.

Wales Sevens in Vancouver

Academy members, Dafydd Smith and Cameron Lewis, were in Wales Sevens' squad for the latest leg of the HSBC World Sevens Series in Canada.

Transition coach Richie Rees was also in Vancouver as part of the coaching team, while former players Owen Jenkins and Ben Roach featured alongside Cai Devine, who represented Cardiff Blues A in the Celtic Cup earlier this season.

After defeat to high-flying USA and South Africa in the pool stages, Wales missed out on qualification for the cup competition, but a win over Chile in the final game of the opening day saw them head into the Trophy quarter final.

They kicked off the second day of action with a resounding 35-0 win over Japan, but their bid for silverware came to an end as Australia knocked Wales out at the semi final stage.

Daf Smith finished the tournament with one score to his name, as he crossed the whitewash in the defeat to series leaders, USA.

USA 30 Canada 25

Blaine Scully captained USA to a win over arch rivals Canada in the final round of Americas Rugby Championship action in Seattle on Friday.

The Eagles snatched the victory from the Canadians' grasp following a last-gasp try from replacement Ruben de Haas.

Wing Scully had an impressive outing at the Starfire Sports stadium, playing a key role in attack and inspiring his side to their third win over the campaign.

Former Cardiff Blues back row, Cam Dolan, registered on the scoresheet in the first half, with hooker Joe Taufete'e also adding two scores.