Scotland 18-28 Wales: Wales keep alive their hope of Six Nations success with battling win at Murrayfield

Leigh Halfpenny booted seven penalties and converted Richard Hibbard's try in a foul-ridden match which saw 19 attempts at goal by both sides, a world record in Tests. Greig Laidlaw booted all 18 points for the hosts.

England will face the reigning champions this Saturday with the title on the line.

Welsh caretaker boss Rob Howley said: "They will have a nice warm welcome at the Millennium Stadium."

He added: "I was pleased with the victory. Murrayfield is not the easiest place to come. Many good Wales teams have come down the years and lost."

Howley paid tribute to flanker Sam Warburton who turned in a man-of-the-match display after two games out.

"He showed world-class qualities, pressure on the ball and vital turnovers.

"I'm delighted for Sam because he's had a tough time the last five-six weeks."

Scotland's interim head coach Scott Johnson refused to criticise referee Craig Joubert and said his side only had themselves to blame for defeat.

The official dished out an astonishing 28 penalties as he pulled up a number of infringements at the set-piece.

Johnson admitted he was baffled by some of the decisions but said: "I don't want to be the guy who talks about referees when he loses.

"We need to look at ourselves. We can try to find excuses and different reasons why that game didn't go our way. But I'd rather work on what we can do. "

Scotland flanker Richie Gray was carried off midway through the first half with a nasty-looking hamstring injury and Johnson admitted: "He's in a pretty bad way."

Also yesterday, Ireland drew 13-13 at home to France in a match which saw substitute scrum-half Eoin Reddan ruled out for three months with a broken leg.

The hosts again let victory slip from their grasp having led 13-3 with Paddy Jackson kicking eight points and Jamie Heaslip going over for a try.

But France levelled in the final 15 minutes through a Louis Picamoles try which Frederic Michalak converted.