WARREN Gatland lauded Jamie Roberts and George North as big men for the big occasion after they inspired Wales to victory against Scotland.

The duo scored tries in the final quarter as Wales overcame the spirited Scots 27-23 to keep their Six Nations title destiny in their own hands.

Head coach Gatland was delighted to get the job done given the rapid turnaround from their opening weekend draw against the Irish in Dublin.

"It was a tough game, we had to dig deep and grind out a victory, there is no easy game in this tournament and we had to use everything we had in the tank to get the victory," he said.

"Maybe the difference between the sides was when we had a couple of chances, we took them.

"Jamie Roberts was deservedly man of the match, I thought he was absolutely outstanding defensively and we saw something special from George North.

"Sometimes you need that in games, you need something special. You need guys for big moments."

North’s try, when he cut a glorious line off a scrum to beat a handful of defenders for the clinching score, was particularly pleasing for Gatland.

"Everyone saw how devastating he was as an attack threat when he burst onto the scene," he said. "But for whatever reason his form didn't match up with the way he was playing earlier.

"It's just really pleasing to see him now playing well and have some confidence. Hopefully he can kick on from here."

North will be to the fore in the encounter against France at Principality Stadium a week on Friday as Wales attempt to set up a mouth-watering return to Twickenham against an England side they knocked out of their own World Cup.

"For us it's about the next two weeks. If we can beat France we are potentially playing England for the Championship,” said Gatland.

"That's how it boils down, and that's taking nothing away from Italy in the last game.

"If we are able to win the next two games I think the motivation will be there to play Italy at home but it's about one step at a time."