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Jamie Roberts backs Lee Byrne on Phil Godman trip claim

Wales' Shane Williams

Extended highlights - Wales 31-24 Scotland

Wales centre Jamie Roberts has backed team-mate Lee Byrne over claims he "milked" a collison with Scotland's Phil Godman to earn a crucial penalty.

Godman was sin-binned by referee George Clancy for tripping Byrne as the Wales full-back followed up a chip kick.

Wales levelled the scores with the resulting penalty and then scored a dramatic last-gasp try to win 31-24.

"I've had a look at the video and it was definitely a trailing leg after he [Byrne] kicked the ball," Roberts said.

"You'd have to speak to Lee on that one but... he definitely trips over something - it's a hell of a dive otherwise!"

Godman and his coach, Scotland boss Andy Robinson, were unhappy with the incident, which saw the visitors reduced to 13 men for the final moments in Cardiff.

Replacement Scotland hooker Scott Lawson had been sin-binned minutes earlier for going deliberately off-side at a ruck after repeated warnings from the match official.

Fly-half Godman though, was left bitterly frustrated: "I was very disappointed. Lee chipped over my head, I went to jump up and try to get the ball.

"There was no malice at all - I didn't stick my leg out or block him. He milked it, and the referee gave a decision I did not agree with.

"It was deeply frustrating for not just myself, but the entire team and all the fans."

"If I had stuck my foot out and tripped him that would be different.

"He certainly put himself in towards my body. I am not sure he went down deliberately, but he did milk it in some respects."

While Roberts told the BBC Scrum V programme he backed Byrne, the Lions centre admitted Wales had not shone in the famous come-from-behind win.

Next up for Wales, who lost their opening match away to England before recording the welcome win over Scotland, is Grand Slam-chasing France in Cardiff on 26 February.

Robinson accuses Byrne over sin-binning

"France were fantastic against Ireland yesterday and come two weeks' time at the Millennium Stadium we can't afford to have a first half like that again," Roberts added.

"There's no doubt we'll lose the game if we play like that first half.

"We have to be more settled in defence, the tackling wasn't up there and we weren't dominating in the collisions.

"But Test match rugby is about winning and we won yesterday so we can be delighted with that.

"Losing games like that is the worst thing ever but winning them is the most amazing feeling ever.

"It was a great feeling after the game with Shane going over for that last try and the dressing room was a very happy place."

Andy Powell in action for Wales against Scotland

Scrum V's Wales v Scotland analysis



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