Transformed and driven by a Principality Stadium in full voice, Wales long believed they were about to secure their first Six Nations victory after three years of drought, but Scotland had other plans. Led by a dazzling Finn Russell, the Scots found the resources to snatch victory in the closing minutes, 23 to 26. A heartbreaking ending for Steve Tandy’s men, who delivered a high class performance but now face the growing threat of another wooden spoon.

They believed for a long time, a very long time. In the stands of the Principality Stadium, the Welsh crowd had begun to hope again, like in the glory days. Long buried memories slowly resurfaced, memories of winning a Six Nations match, something Wales have been deprived of for three long years. There were also memories of celebrations in the streets of Cardiff after matches, and of a proud nation speaking passionately about its national team, a team for which, here more than anywhere else, an entire people lives to the rhythm of its tries. But Scotland’s second half resurgence shattered all those aspirations.

Yet in the first half, Wales produced an almost perfect performance. Facing a confident Scottish side fresh from victory at Twickenham the previous week, the Welsh, fearless and determined, were convinced they could achieve the upset, whatever obstacles stood in their way.

Reduced to fourteen men after Joe Hawkins received a yellow card for a high tackle in the fifth minute, the men in red refused to sit back and opted to kick for touch from a penalty five metres out. The gamble paid off, prop Rhys Carré crashed over in the tenth minute, and the seventy thousand spectators at the Principality Stadium erupted. “It was the loudest crowd I have ever seen here,” Ben Carter admitted after the match. Scotland responded through Steyn following a fine team move with the numerical advantage in the fourteenth minute, 7 to 5, but the fervour did not fade.

The Principality Stadium, a temple in full fervour

Galvanised, Wales were remarkably composed in attack throughout the first half, exceeding even Steve Tandy’s expectations. “The way we attacked at the start of the first half was incredible.” The contrast between the two sides was striking, as Wales appeared united and on a mission, while Scotland struggled to breathe. The Welsh pack surged forward, the forwards fixed defenders and released the backs, and Sam Costelow had all the time he needed to send Josh Adams over for a try in the nineteenth minute, 14 to 5.

Costelow, preferred to the usual starter Dan Edwards, was outstanding. The Welsh fly half was clinical from the tee and punished Scottish indiscipline, converting two penalties in the thirty first and forty ninth minutes. His injury enforced departure proved costly, as Scottish maestro Finn Russell gradually imposed his rhythm and allowed Scotland to regain control.

Russell broke through the Welsh defence in the fifty eighth minute to score, then caught Wales off guard with a quickly taken restart just after Wales had converted a penalty. On the wing, Darcy Graham anticipated perfectly and gathered the kick. The unlikely try punished Welsh passivity in the fifty ninth minute, 23 to 19, before the decisive blow came in the seventy fifth minute. Following a driving maul, Scottish hooker George Turner collapsed over the line. Russell’s conversion made it 26 to 23, sending a chill from Swansea to Newport via Cardiff.

This defeat is all the more cruel for Wales, who truly believed victory was within reach. Captain Dewi Lake appeared devastated in the post match press conference. “I think we did what was needed to win this match, which makes the defeat even harder to take.”

Yet it does not erase the pride of having matched Scotland at such intensity, nor the belief that Wales have reminded the rugby world they remain a major rugby nation. The Welsh must now lift their heads and turn their focus to their clash with Ireland in two weeks’ time, hoping to avoid another wooden spoon, synonymous with five defeats in a single tournament.

Steve Tandy now faces the challenge of rallying his players and using this defeat to build the foundations for future success. “We are getting closer to the team we think we can be and that we want to be,” he said. Progress is still expected, but the quality of Welsh rugby this Saturday afternoon rekindled hope across the country that the national side can finally emerge from its crisis.

Léo Billard

Picture : Léo Billard / Sport W