Wales Hang On, Scotland Bang On

Here we go then! The Six Nations Championship is under way. I found it a strange weekend as I would normally been watching Wales in the flesh but that was not to be. So it was the couch and the TV for me.

Things started predictably enough with France giving Italy a thumping without really being stretched. The Italians did show some nice touches at times but were outclassed by the resurgent French who are beginning to look like the real deal with Dupont to the fore.

Then on to Twickenham where the Scots were the visitors. It started badly for England when someone had forgotten their rugby jerseys and they had to wear tee shirts for the match. On top of this the national Anthem was sung in so high a key that only the bats hanging at the back of the West Stand could hear most of it. Never mind, they thought, the papers had predicted that morning that they were going to win the Grand Slam so they would be just fine.

As it turned out, England were far from being just fine as the Scots tore into them from the first whistle. The Scots dominated the game from start to finish and the England players looked despairingly at each other as they quickly ran out of ideas as to what to do. The strange thing is that, although Scotland were in charge, they never managed to pull clear on the scoreboard and the result was far from certain until the final whistle. A flaky drop goal attempt by Russell near the end might have cost them dear. In the end the Scots won 6-11 with the score line flattering England greatly. The much-vaunted England pack had been bested in all phases and the English backs had looked clueless. In contrast the Scots bristled with aggression and purpose and must have been left wondering how they only managed one try. Sadly, there was no one there to sing “Swing Low Sweet Chariots” but then I don’t think anyone would have wanted to even if the stadium was full.

Wales had to wait until Sunday afternoon to make their bow against the Irish. Much had been written in the Irish press about how the Irish would turn over Wales quite comfortably. This only served to reinforce my doubts but I am sure it was great motivation for the Welsh team who were on a pretty awful run of results.

Wales started really brightly moving the ball with purpose and soon were 6-0 up. Their cause would surely be helped by the early dismissal of O’Mahony for an elbow to Tom Francis’ head. Wales too lost their starting No 6 when the unfortunate Lydiate was forced off with a knee injury. Wales, however, could bring on Navidi while the Irish would have to play with fourteen men for more than threequarters of the game. The loss of O’Mahony seemed to spur Ireland on and they completely dominated the second quarter in terms of territory and possession. So much so that they overturned the Welsh lead and with a converted try and two penalties went in at half time with a 6-13 lead. If Ireland had been good, Wales were poor with the lineout vulnerable and the penalty count against them rising alarmingly.

The second half started with Wales looking far better. They moved the ball well and scored two well-worked tries in the right hand corner. There were excellent finishes from North and Rees Zammit to complete good passing movements. One of the tries was converted and with a further penalty from Halfpenny Wales established an eight point lead at 21-13. The Irish were not about to roll over and stormed back at Wales. It was rough and tough and the injury toll for both sides was alarming.

The Irish reduced the deficit to five points with a penalty at 21-16 and we were in for a nail-biting finish. Wales had forgotten how to win, I thought as I covered my eyes with my hands. The clock ticked on incredibly slowly but relief was on hand. A sliced kick from Ireland went straight into touch and Wales had a scrum near the Irish twenty-two. There was only a minute left. The Welsh scrum held firm. Just hang on to the ball for a couple of carries and the game is ours. For reasons only he will know, Gareth Davies kicked ahead and gave possession to the Irish. Moments later the Irish were awarded a penalty in the Welsh half. Tragically for the Irish, substitute fly half Billy Burns put too much on his kick to the corner and their last chance had disappeared. The sigh of relief from the Welsh throughout the land would have sent a thousand wind turbines into overdrive.

Wales will be all the better for this win but it was far from a convincing victory against fourteen men for most of the game. The injury toll looks like it will be formidable and with a trip to Murrayfield in the offing with just a six day turnaround the squad will be stretched to the limit. The Scots must be feeling cock-a-hoop after their victory and must start as strong favourites.

I guess Wales would like to go into that match with the same team but that clearly not be possible with a minimum of four enforced changes due to injury. Liam Williams is now available which will help and there are many options in the back row. It is difficult to speculate until the full extent of the injury list is known of course.

Any weekend that sees Wales win and England lose is reason to celebrate I think. Perhaps Wales and Scotland will not be scrapping it out for fourth and fifth places after all.

Well done Wales and good luck in Scotland.