Do I like being proven right when it comes to the Scottish inability to ever back up a good performance, absolutely I do! Scotland failed to win in Cardiff for the first time in over 20 years as a defiant Welsh side ground out a much-needed victory to get their championship defence finally up and running.
The key to their gritty victory was going back to the core of Welsh rugby identity that has been central to their success over the past 15 years; a high intensity defence, solid set piece and a strong kicking game, helpfully roared on by a loud Principality crowd.
But moreover, the essential ingredient to this Welsh win was the desire and hunger to prove the doubters wrong. Backs against the wall and they delivered. Right from the outset this was shown from a scrum penalty which set the tone, further adding pain to Townsends odd decision to start his second-best front row, acting as if he has the depth of Rassie Eramus’ South African world class pack.
Yet Wales didn’t allow any fluidity to the Scottish game. The game was stop start and Scotland, to their detriment kicked away a lot of ball with not a lot of purpose. They failed to capitalise on the finish from Graham which gave them a lead. Not surprisingly, very little has been said about Rees-Zammits very poor defence allowing the try. Had it been Cuthbert who’d shown similar weakness he would be hounded, but because it is super Zammit it tends to go unnoticed.
Instead, it was Wales’ front five that really showed up on Saturday. Beard was impressive, leading the lineout to 100% success, while Francis and Elias played pivotal roles with their defensive displays. But ultimately it was the test match warrior of Dan Biggar that was central to the win. I had predicted in the lead up to the Wales Ireland game that Biggar needed to have one of his best performances in a Welsh jersey if they were to win but instead, he brought that level of performance to Cardiff on the occasion of his 100th cap. He was monumental. And yes, I doubted his drop goal decision, which wasted an advantage that normally lasts 60/90 seconds nowadays and it allowed more time on the clock for a potential Scottish comeback. But Biggar knows his side better than anyone and he trusted their defence to win the game.
For Scotland, the question of consistency and away form lingers above like a dark cloud over the Hogg/Townsend era. A massive challenge now awaits them at home against France. But if they are to ever to achieve a top or even 2nd place finish in the Six Nations they must win their first two matches, something they haven’t done since 1996, a truly embarrassing stat.
To do that, Scotland must overcome their inherent instinct to treat playing England as if its their World Cup Final. Scotland have the quality and a well-coached, settled side yet this is a question of mentality. This is truly wasted opportunity from Scotland, but they faced a Welsh side just at the wrong time who were looking to prove a point.
Ultimately, many Welsh fans will fear this result will once again paper over the cracks of their regional and structural failings. The result probably has done just that, but fear not, I am sure a schooling at Twickenham in two weeks-time will only renew the conversations of deep-rooted problems in the Welsh game.
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