Following an impressive 34-7 win for Wales over Scotland in the Six Nations, here are five takeaways from the game at Principality Stadium.
Wales genuine contenders: Despite missing hundreds of caps worth of experience in their XV, there was a great deal of excitement when the Welsh named their side earlier in the week. Players bang in form were included and to crush a Scotland side that thumped Australia and also ran New Zealand close in November shows they have to be considered as genuine Six Nations winners. Such an assured performance from Wales.
Scottish errors cost them: It really was a nightmare day at the office for the Scots. They started brightly and should have crossed early, with Jonny Gray’s break one moment of promise. However, a combination of errors and stoic Welsh defence foiled Scotland, whose afternoon plummeted play by play. They must show greater accuracy next weekend against France at Murrayfield or risk suffering back-to-back losses.
Crooked feeds: Pascal Gauzere penalised both sides in the first-half of the game but missed other blatant feeds later on in Cardiff. It’s all very well and good seeing this bugbear of rugby pinged, but it simply has to be consistent throughout the Championship and thereafter. Pinging crooked feeds means nothing if not replicated elsewhere so we wait to see whether the officials stay hot on scrum-halves. Do it…
Scarlets backs superb: As mentioned, the excitement surrounding Wales’ line-up was due largely to the backline being packed with Scarlets. Only Josh Adams was the non-Scarlet as Wayne Pivac’s men were rewarded for their excellent form and boy did they transfer that to the Test stage. Gareth Davies and Rhys Patchell orchestrated the backline, Hadleigh Parkes and Scott Williams shut down Scotland’s attack while the try drought is finally over for Leigh Halfpenny, who grabbed a brace. Elsewhere Steff Evans was a threat, even in the tightest of spaces.
Scotland to tweak midfield: Harsh to put the spotlight on one player, but we expect Gregor Townsend to make a change in midfield for that match against les Bleus. Chris Harris had a forgetful game and Scotland missed Huw Jones’ running out wide, so we think Pete Horne will be named in their side next weekend in a quartet of Price-Russell-Horne-Jones. We stress though, Harris was not alone in struggling to make an impact.
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