Scots were staring into the abyss … but Cardiff comeback may just have saved Gregor Townsend’s job
Not for the first time, Scotland were staring into the abyss in Cardiff. A nightmare of a first half had plunged them into the darkness once more.
A stadium that has been so tame and silent in recent times had suddenly found its voice. In this cauldron of noise, Scotland were in dire straits.
Trailing 17-5 at half-time, all the euphoria of the win over England last weekend had gone. This was Rome all over again.
Against possibly the worst Wales team in history, a team who had shipped over 100 points in their opening two matches, Scotland were threatening to plumb new depths.
In that moment, you had to ask an obvious question. What on earth had they been doing at their warm-weather training camp over the past week?
Thousands of pounds had been spent to send Townsend and his squad over there. And for what? To produce this garbage?
George Turner gives the thumbs up after scoring the winning try for Scotland
Kyle Steyn touches down for Scotland’s first try in their comeback win over Wales
Scottish Rugby has been in a difficult financial position over these past few years. The trip to Spain looked like an unnecessary luxury during this first-half no show.
In the end, they pulled it out of the fire. Led by Finn Russell, they mounted a comeback in the second half which keeps their Six Nations on track.
They will head into round four looking to have a crack at France, and beyond that they will face a resurgent Ireland in Dublin on the final weekend.
You in the evidence of this, you can’t make a case for Scotland winning either of those matches.
This was a game which raised more questions in answers. But, crucially, this was 40 minutes which could well have saved Townsend’s job.
Make no mistake, had this gone wrong, his head would have been firmly back on the chopping block.
All the noise and criticism that came his way after the defeat to Italy would only have amplified tenfold.
Townsend deserves credit for making some fairly ruthless and brutal changes early in the game.
But why had his team been so feeble during the opening half hour or so? Against better teams than Wales, Scotland won’t get away with this.
There remains an infuriating lack of consistency in this team. Brilliant against England, then all over the shop against the other teams.
It’s just a not a model for sustained, long-term success. This was 40 minutes that may have saved his job, but there is no evidence of genuine progression under Townsend.
Sione Tuilpulotu hails Darcy Graham after the winger touched down for Scotland’s third try
Gregor Townsend would have faced renewed pressure if Scotland had lost in Wales
Their discipline was awful and they allowed Wales to boss everything up front during that opening period.
Wales were reduced to 14 men in the early stages and Joe Hawkins was fortunate not to see red for what was a clumsy high shot on Gregor Brown.
The fact that Wales actually scored the opening try whilst being a man down summed up a dreadful first half from Scotland.
Townsend’s side were making line-breaks all over the place. Pretty much every member of their backline cut through Wales at some point.
But the accuracy thereafter was awful. Especially in the forwards, Scotland repeatedly coughed up possession and wasted good field position.
Scrum-half Ben White was also guilty on one occasion of panicking and trying to force things, throwing a terrible pass when Scotland were camped on the Wales line.
Wales are dejected as George Turner touches down to put Scotland ahead late on
Watching from his position high in the stand, what on earth did Townsend make of it all? As was the case in Rome a fortnight ago, his team were a rabble.
There was a basic lack of urgency and physicality from the Scottish forwards. It was feeble. Wales dominated the breakdown and collisions.
Townsend had seen enough and hooked both Nathan McBeth and Max Williamson after 35 minutes. Neither could have any complaints.
It wasn’t difficult to envisage the hair dryer being brought out and teacups flying all over the place inside the Scottish changing room at half-time as they trailed 17-5.
What had the players been doing over in Spain for the past week? Sitting around on sun loungers? Topping up their tan?
Especially in the battle up front and at the breakdown, Wales had shown far more aggression and urgency in those opening 40 minutes.
Josh Adams of Wales dives in to score his team’s second try against Scotland in Cardiff
Scotland finally started to get their act together. A Finn Russell try, followed by another from Darcy Graham, brought them within striking distance.
But they killed their own momentum at times. There was bone-headed stupidity from George Turner when he flew in at the side of a ruck to concede another penalty.
A Scotland lineout on the Welsh five-metre line saw possession conceded in cheap fashion once again.
Turner would make amends when he dived over to score with five minutes left. For the first time in the whole match, Scotland were in front.
A huge sigh of relief went up among the Scotland players. Townsend may just have been the most relieved man in the whole stadium.
But can this beat hope to beat France or Ireland? No chance. Not on this evidence. Boom and bust, hot and cold, you just never know what to expect from this team.
