Live Commentary: Scotland 23-26 Wales - as it happened

Good afternoon! Scotland and Wales will both be hoping that they can put their opening weekend defeats behind them when they meet at Murrayfield in an hour's time. Let's start with a reminder of the team news...

SCOTLAND STARTING XV: Stuart Hogg, Sean Lamont, Mark Bennett, Alex Dunbar, Tim Visser, Finn Russell, Greig Laidlaw, Alasdair Dickinson, Ross Ford, Geoff Cross, Richie Gray, Jonny Gray, Rob Harley, Blair Cowan, Johnnie Beattie

WALES STARTING XI: Leigh Halfpenny, Alex Cuthbert, Jonathan Davies, Liam Williams, Dan Biggar, Rhys Webb, Gethin Jenkins, Richard Hibbard, Aaron Jarvis, Jake Ball, Alun-Wyn Jones, Dan Lydiate, Sam Warburton, Taulupe Faletau

Both sides have made two changes following their losses last weekend. Wales are missing George North and Samson Lee through concussions, bringing in Liam Williams and Aaron Jarvis. For the hosts, Tommy Seymour misses out with a hip injury, while Euan Murray is unavailable on Sunday's for religious reasons, bringing Geoff Cross and Sean Lamont into the side.

Here are some of the Scotland players settling into the home dressing room a short time ago as they prepare for this afternoon's match:

Preparations are well underway, RBS 6 Nations Scotland v Wales #backingblue #AsOne pic.twitter.com/cI3U4JzUzV — Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) February 15, 2015

While both beaten last weekend, the nature of the two losses were very different. Wales let a half-time lead slip with a poor second-half display against England, while Scotland put France under pressure throughout in Paris, before losing out to a second-half try from the home side.

Wales have not started a Six Nations campaign with back-to-back defeats since 2007, which was also when Scotland last secured a win over the Welsh. Warren Gatland's side did recover from defeat in their opening match in 2013 to clinch the Six Nation title though, winning their four remaining games.

Scotland have struggled at home in recent years in the Six Nations, losing nine of their last 15 home fixtures, including their last three in a row. In their last four meetings with Wales, the Scots have scores just one try.

Ahead of this match, Vern Cotter said at a press conference: "There's a huge amount of determination in this group to improve. Last weekend's performance, in terms of line-breaks and heart, was encouraging. We defended well and our lineout, scrum and defence stood up to a very stern French assessment. I'm pleased we were in a situation to contest the match throughout, but we left the paddock very frustrated and disappointed that we didn't get more from the game, and I think that's a good measure of this squad."

Meanwhile, Wales captain Sam Warburton wrote in his column for The Telegraph: " We do not want to get dragged into games where the play goes through only three or four phases. We want to play multiphase rugby. We want to play at a high tempo and keep the ball in play for long periods. That is down to the players. We need to be bolder and take a few more chances. If it is on, we must trust our instincts and go. The coaches always tell us that if there is an obvious overlap and we are on our own line, we should go for it. We need to bear that in mind more.We still want to win the Six Nations. We do not want to come second, third, fourth, fifth or, heaven forbid, sixth. We want to finish top. And we do not mind putting pressure on ourselves. So this is a must-win match for us. If we lose, we can say goodbye to the championship. That is how important it is."

Scotland's last title came before Italy joined the event, winning the final Five Nations title in 1999. Since then, Scotland have finished bottom in the competition three times, and haven't really challenged for the title in recent years.

Wales have only finished last one since the tournament expanded to six teams. Since their 2003 disappointment, this afternoon's visitors have won four titles, including three Grand Slams. However, whichever side loses this afternoon, assuming the match doesn't end in a draw, will be facing a battle to avoid the dreaded wooden spoon.

Good news for the home supporters - the mascot are ready to go!

The mascots are ready to cheer on Scotland, let's hear you too! #backingblue #AsOne pic.twitter.com/DgITn7nDMt — Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) February 15, 2015

REFEREE WATCH! Warren Gatland and Vern Cotter aren't the only New Zealanders involved in this afternoon's match, as Glen Jackson will be officiating. The 39-year-old only retired from playing five years ago after a six-season stint as a fly-half at Saracens.

The good news for both sides is that the conditions are perfect in Edinburgh this afternoon. It's bright with little chance of rain at Murrayfield, and little wind to cause problems for the kicking game.

Warren Gatland has just been speaking to BBC Sport ahead of kickoff, and he said: "Last week was a real game of two halves, but we did not front up in the second half. The talk in the camp this week has been of a chance for redemption. Scotland have become a team to beat, but we want to play some rugby and last week we got sucked into a kicking game."

Gutted not to be playing today up in Scotland. Best of luck to @WelshRugbyUnion boys. A Welsh win today 🐲👍 — George North (@George_North) February 15, 2015

Both sets of players run out onto the Murrayfield kickoff for the pre-match formalities ahead of kickoff, including the national anthems. The trophy is pitchside this afternoon, and most of the players give it a glance as they jog out. Before the anthems though, the Princess Royal, the mother in law of former England international Mike Tindall, will be meeting the players.

The stadium has been slowly filling up over the last hour and is now packed, with kickoff just a few minutes away. Naturally, the majority of the crowd are in the navy of Scotland, but there's a few little pockets of red to cheer on the visitors too.

PREDICTION! As the anthems take place, there's just time for a quick prediction. Wales have certainly had the beating of Scotland in recent years, but on last weekend's performances the hosts come into this as slight favourites. I think it's going to be a close one, but I think it just has to go to the Scots this afternoon.

KICKOFF! Scotland get the match underway.

Scotland give away a penalty almost straight away as Davies hauls in the kickoff. It's booted forward for a lineout just inside Scottish territory for the visitors, but Davies is penalised for not releasing as Wales try to push towards the 22.

Laidlaw and Cross complete a series of quick passes as they try to get Scotland into Wales territory, but the visitors have another penalty. From the resulting lineout though, Richie Gray uses his height to steal the ball for the hosts.

Wales quickly get it back when there's a knock on, and Cowan is penalised for holding, so the visitors will go for the posts.

The ever-reliable Leigh Halfpenny chips it through the posts with ease to give Wales the first points of the game. Scotland have already given away a string of penalties, and whenever the visitors are in Halfpenny's range, that will surely be the outcome. The hosts need to be careful not to give away too many free points.

Cuthbert comes in off the wing to bolster a Wales charge down the left. Liam Williams bursts forward, but his path is blocked. It goes back to Cuthbert, who finds Halfpenny, but he can't break free either.

Wales had been building what looked like a promising move, but Biggar loses the ball to Hogg, who sprints from inside Scottish territory without any of the Wales players getting close to him to score the opening try of the match. It may have come against the run of play, but that was a spectacular solo effort from Hogg, who was in the right place at the right time.

Scotland get another penalty, and Hogg boots the ball into touch to give the hosts a lineout inside the 22. Ford and Cowan try a quick move, but Wales just gather themselves in time before forcing a knock on. Scotland haven't seen too much of the ball in Wales's half yet, but they look sharp when they do have it.

For the second time, Wales lose their lineout, and Dunbar gets it to Bennett, but his pass on for Lamont goes astray. Richie Gray powers towards the line for the hosts, but a hands in the ruck penalty against Wales means Laidlaw will have a shot at the posts instead.

Laidlaw boots the penalty through with ease to extend Scotland's lead. While the try came against the run of play, that had certainly been coming.

Halfpenny gets the ball to Webb from the restart, and he almost gets free, but he's just caught. Cuthbert and Hibbard move it just short of the try line before cutting it back in towards Faletau, but a penalty gives Halfpenny another opportunity to kick it.

It's another easy three points for the Wales full-back after Cowan was penalised for not rolling away. He's given away a few penalties now, and needs to be careful to avoid a 10-minute stint in the sin bin.

Wales are on the attack again, and Cross has to force them out for a lineout. Scotland collapse the resulting maul to give away the penalty, and it's well within Halfpenny's range again, but the visitors confidently take the lineout instead to look for a try.

Rob Harley makes the tackle as Wales go for a driving maul towards the try line, and he forces the knock on, so it's a Scottish scrum. The home side will be delighted as Wales turned down what would surely have been a certain three points from a penalty to look for the try. The visitors will hope that that decision doesn't come back to haunt them later. Meanwhile, Scotland have a penalty of their own for not driving straight during the scrum.

.@LeighHalfpenny1 has kicked all of Wales' points so far #SCOvWAL pic.twitter.com/C4OQSXZfzK — Welsh Rugby Union (@WelshRugbyUnion) February 15, 2015

From the Wales scrum, Faletau tries to chip it forward, but it's straight to Finn Russell. The flay-half could be in some trouble though, as he collides with Dan Biggar, who is in the air to haul in the resulting kick.

YELLOW CARD! Finn Russell is in the sin bin for his clumsy challenge on his opposite number. That's 10 minutes down to 14 men for the hosts, and Halfpenny will have a kick.

Visser goes on the charge for the hosts, but he loses the ball, and Wales have space ahead of them.

Scotland are immediately punished for their numerical disadvantage as Alun-Wyn Jones picks Liam Williams out with a superb pass out wide, and he cuts it inside for Webb to dive over.

YELLOW CARD! Jonathan Davies is in the sin bin as well now as he collides with Beattle mid-air, making the same error that send Russell to the sidelines for 10 minutes. They'll both have to wait until after half time to return.

Scotland use their penalty to go on a superb drive, and get a penalty as Wales collapse the maul. Gray attempts to keep it alive to go for the try, but Wales force it clear. Scotland still have the lineout though.

Scotland push hard as they look for their second try on the verge of half time, but Hogg is twice held up short before Laidlaw is blocked on the line. Wales are really handing on in the final seconds of this half.

So at the break, Wales just hold on to go in ahead after surviving a fierce push by the hosts in the final moments of the first half. Both teams head into the break with only 14 men on the pitch, but Wales will still be without Davies for a few minutes in the second half.

Scotland certainly won't be too disheartened by Wales's lead. They know they will have a man advantage for a couple of minutes in the second half, and Hogg in particular has caused problem with his pace.

Scotland's main concern from the opening 40 minutes will be the penalties that they have conceded. Halfpenny has added three through the posts, and turned down a fourth to try to force a try for the visitors. If Scotland keep giving Wales chances to take three points, Halfpenny will soon put Warren Gatland's side out of sight.

Wales will be keen to avoid a repeat of last week. Last this afternoon, they were ahead at the break, having added 16 first-half points, but could not add to their score in the second 40. Scotland's deficit isn't as great as England's in Cardiff, so Scotland know that Wales are catchable.

The players are starting to make their way back out for the second half, while Finn Russell gets warmed up on the bikes. He'll be back within a minute of the restart.

RESTART! Wales get the action back underway at Murrayfield.

Russell does indeed return, so Scotland are back up to 15 to help the hosts with a lineout.

Gray comes under pressure during the lineout, and manages to get the ball to Lamont, but Wales get the scrum when he knocks on.

Russell makes his first contribution since returning from the sin bin, kicking a penalty deep too give Scotland a lineout. It goes straight over the line and out the back to Cuthbert, but Dunbar quickly recovers it for the home side, forcing a penalty.

Laidlaw steps up to add his second penalty kick of the day, firing it straight through the middle to cut Wales's lead in half. The visitors have just another minute before Davies can come back on.

Roberts steals that ball away from Hogg as they both go for a high ball. Wales will have the scrum, and Davies is back on after his 10-minute sin bin spell.

Scotland are penalised for not binding in the scrum. Biggar and Roberts try to play the advantage, but the referee calls it back, so Halfpenny will go for the posts again.

Halfpenny's penalty strike's the inside of the post before dropping onto the bar, but it still goes over to allow Wales to restore their six-points lead. Those three points are Wales's first in the second half at this year's Six Nations.

Scotland need a couple of chances to get a scrum away, but Bennett eventually breaks, and wins a penalty as Jake Ball tackles Beattie, who doesn't have the ball. It's a long way out for Laidlaw at 42m, but he's going for it.

Despite the long range, Laidlaw makes it with easy to cut Wales's lead to just three points again.

There's an injury worry for Scotland as Richie Gray appears to have injured his wrist, and he makes his way straight down the tunnel. Jim Hamilton takes his place.

Wales turn the ball over in the middle before Jones offloads to Faletau. It eventually comes back across to Williams on the wing, but he's turned over. However, the referee awards Wales another penalty, and they choose to kick to the corner rather than go for the posts. A similar decision in the first half resulted in no points.

After a driving maul from the lineout, Liam Williams gets it in dives over, but the referee wants to take a look at the replay.

NO TRY! Williams is denied the points as Jones and Ball were obstructing to make sure the wing wasn't tackles as he took it over.

Williams doesn't let the lack of try get him down as he makes a big leap to get Wales back in Scottish territory straight away. Wales have a penalty as Blair Cowan comes in from the side, and it looks like Halfpenny is going for the three points.

MISSED PENALTY! It's a rare mis-cue from the full-back as he scuffs the penalty, firing it well to the left.

Wales for a mistake from Scotland to get the ball back, and Biggar times the pass out wide with Jonathan Davies superbly to leave the centre to burst over from a few metres out, grounded it under the posts to leave Halfpenny with an easy conversion.

After a quick break, Visser is close to getting Scotland back into the game, but he's just held short, and Wales have time to get their line organised as they try to protect their lead.

Laidlaw flicks it back, but there's no-one there, and Hamilton has to gather it. The hosts force a penalty, and Laidlaw goes for a chip and go instead of taking three, but he can't get over. Scotland still have the ball though, and Wales are defending hard.

Johnnie Gray and Welsh try to find a gap as Scotland continue to run at the line, but they couldn't find their way over, and Wales eventually get a penalty of their own, which Biggar clears to the half-way line. That's was a fierce defensive display from the visitors that could prove vital.

Scotland are trying too hard as they attempt to create something to give them so late hope. The visitors get another penalty, and they get the lineout.

NO TRY! Mark Bennett thinks that he's got Scotland back into the match as he gets the ball from Hidalgo-Clyne after another superb dash from the Scottish full-back Stuart Hogg, but the referee rules that there was a knock on when the scrum-half dropped it prior to Bennett collecting the ball, giving Wales the scrum.

Scotland have a scrum, and it's wheeled around, so the hosts have the penalty, allowing the Scots to get it deep into Wales territory again. At this points, a try would surely only be a consolation, but Scotland are still pressing.

Hamilton squeezes over after an offside from Chartaris gave Scotland the penalty. There's a bit of a scuffle between the two sides as Hamilton celebrates.

With Laidlaw having gone off, Russell adds the extras, but there isn't time for the referee to get the match back underway, so Wales get the narrow win to keep their hopes alive in this year's Six Nations.

Despite the win, Wales remain fourth in the table, while Scotland are fifth, just above Italy.

Well that's it from this match as the Six Nations heads into a two-week break. Next up for Scotland is a potential wooden spoon decider against Italy, while Wales face a tricky tie against France in Paris. Until then, thanks for joining me this afternoon. Goodbye.