With the offensive bonus point, the Scots join Ireland, who had just beaten France (32-19) earlier, at the top of the standings, with 10 points.

For the Welsh, on the other hand, the return with fanfare of Warren Gatland on the bench knows its second false note after the defeat (34-10) at home against the Irish a week ago.

After a lackluster first period, the XV du Chardon accelerated under the leadership of a Finn Russell author of ten points and two spectacular "assists" for tries from winger Kyle Steyn.

At the break, however, despite the score of 13-7 in favor of the locals, the Welsh were well in the game.

Scottish winger Kyle Steyn (g) overtakes Welsh winger Rio Dyer, February 11, 2023 in Edinburgh © ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP

Russell had capitalized on two penalties (6-0, 14th) and, on a penetrating group, hooker George Turner had escaped to go flat (13-0, 31st).

Unfortunately for the Scots, Turner took a yellow card in the wake of his try (33rd) and on another penetrating group, it was his alter ego and Welsh captain, Ken Owens, who closed the gap (13-7 ).

Undoubtedly a little moved by Gregor Townsend at the break, the Scots clearly took the upper hand afterwards.

Historical doubling

Russell first took a nice interval a few meters from the line to draw three opponents on him before making an outside pass to Steyn who only had to receive and drop in the in-goal ( 20-7, 52nd).

Scottish opener Finn Russell (c) between the Welsh Christ Tshiunza (d) and Taulupe Faletau, February 11, 2023 in Edinburgh © ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP

Things didn't settle for the Reds when their full-back Liam Williams picked up a yellow card in the 56th minute, creating spaces which Russell reveled in with a superb kicking pass to Steyn, completely free along his line of touches, for his double in six minutes (25-7, 58th).

With the game down sharply in intensity, Russell again stood out with his kicking game as he found fellow winger Duhan van der Merwe, who slipped away along the line before putting inside for Blair Kinghorn and the bonus test (30-7, 71st).

Matt Fagerson finally gave a doubly historic dimension to success with a last try (35-7, 78th), despite the waste in Russell's conversion.

Scotsman Matt Fagerson scores a try against Wales on February 11, 2023 in Edinburgh © ANDY BUCHANAN / AFP

The Scots had never beaten the Welsh by more than 25 points and they had never won their first two matches of the Tournament since it was played in six nations.

Before moving on to the Stade de France and the reception of Ireland, Scotland was full of confidence by finally showing regular and effective.

© 2023 AFP