Wales Hopes Go West

 A windswept Parc y Scarlets in Llanelli with empty stands was no way to mark two special moments in Welsh Rugby history. The first the sad passing of Welsh legend J.J.Williams  and the second Alun Wyn Jones running out against Scotland to win the world record number of international caps. Both would have deserved the full pomp of a packed Principality Stadium. These are difficult times for everyone.

The Scots clearly had no fear about playing in the all but silent stadium. There was no Welsh hwyl for the Welsh team to extract from the crowd so they would have to generate themselves. It’s at times like this that you need your experienced British Lions to come to the fore. Wales had no less than five Lions’ test players in their ranks. Three: Faletau, Liam Williams and Jon Davies were on their way back from long injury breaks with Alun Wyn Jones and Halfpenny the other two. Faletau and Davies had what one could euphemistically say were “quiet” games and had little impact on proceedings. Liam Williams was typically aggressive but never really had enough ball to show what he can do in attack. Halfpenny, on a difficult day to be playing fullback, stood up reasonably well but I bet he wished the Scottish kicking had put as little pressure on him as the Welsh kicking did to, Hogg, his Scottish counterpart. Alun Wyn Jones was his usual fully-committed, confrontational self but he and his pack had the utmost difficulty in containing the well-knit Scottish eight.

For all that, it was a close game with never more than a few points in it. For the record the Scots won 10-14 with both teams scoring one try. The weather had a major impact with the visitors managing to cope with the swirling wind a bit better. Scotland deserved to win and looked the more likely to score a try although even they created few chances.

Where did it go wrong for Wales? The biggest issue was the penalty count with Wales transgressing far too often at the breakdown. This coupled with a shaky lineout and too many handling errors scuppered their chances of creating any meaningful pressure. It was a disjointed performance from Wales and it is still difficult to discern what they are trying to do tactically. Losing midfield general, Biggar, quite early on didn’t help things that is for sure. Scotland were hardly rampant but at least you can see what they are trying to do and they do seem to be on an improving trend. Wales unfortunately look to be heading the opposite way with the worrying run of defeats continuing.

Were there any positives for Wales?   Well the defence certainly seemed to be a bit stiffer and the choke tackle created a turnover on the odd occasion. The scrum held up until the substitution of Francis. Lewis-Hughes won his first cap and looks like a good prospect for the future. I am clutching at straws I think.

Where do Wales go to from here? Some might say that Wales never play well in the Autumn internationals and everything will be all right by February and the Six Nations. That was normally the case against Southern hemisphere opposition. A starting point for Wales must be to get everyone super fit. There was a time when Wales were the fittest team in Europe – it doesn’t look like that any more to the tubby observer on the couch! The coaching team have to be given a fair crack of the whip and they now have a run of games and a good chance to show what they can do with what is a talented group of players. They must be ruthless in selection and pick in-form players rather than relying on past reputations. I will support Wales through thick and thin but I really don’t want the thin to last too long.

England ended up winning the Six Nations on points difference from France in second place. France has been my team of the tournament and, barring a stupid red card for a French prop that probably cost them the match against Scotland, would surely have won the Grand Slam. The French look to be on a really positive trajectory with the Sean Edwards’ steel starting to stiffen their resolve. The young halfbacks Dupont and Ntamack are a class act and have the priceless ability to change games. I would be amazed if Dupont is not named Player of the Tournament.

Wales ended up in a dismal 5^th place with only Italy below them. They lost four matches out of five. It has to get better than this doesn’t it?

Come on Wales!