Cotter’s tactics were spot on – so why is SRU letting him go?
Scotland got their strategy just right yesterday – based on prodigious work rate and ferocious defence
Scotland’s tactical tweak makes the difference
Wales dominated the breakdown in the first half with Alun Wyn Jones, Sam Warburton and Justin Tipuric getting over the ball time and again, and the key to the match was the tactical switch Scotland made at halftime. If Scotland were to have any chance of winning they had to speed up the game, and they did so by going to ground earlier, putting the emphasis on clearing out the first man to reduce the potential for turnovers and ensuring quicker ball. Contact was on Scotland’s terms, guaranteeing more time for Finn Russell and Stuart Hogg – and they took full advantage.
They were helped by a wonderful second-half performance from the back five of the pack, with Hamish Watson the outstanding back row when he came on. That tweak, allied to a prodigious work rate and a ferocious defence, proved a combination that Wales were unable to match as Scotland won the second half 20-0.
Do not underestimate the psychological swing just before half-time
Scotland’s tactical switch was vital but so, too, was the psychological swing in the two minutes before the break. As the clock ticked to 38 minutes Leigh Halfpenny had a kickable penalty from the 10 metre line that would have made the score 16-6 in Wales’s favour. He missed, and Scotland took advantage as they got the ball wide to Stuart Hogg for the first time, his brilliant grubber bouncing perfectly for Tommy Seymour to gallop through. Seymour fed Huw Jones, and although the centre was hauled down it led to a penalty that meant Wales’s potential 10-point half-time lead was suddenly just four points.
It also showed what Scotland could do with ball in hand, and that would have been in both teams’ heads at half-time. Scotland were almost visibly lifted and they played some fantastic rugby in the 10 minutes after half-time to take a lead that would have been hugely unlikely if they had been 10 points behind.
Wales’ scoreless second half shows how attack was blunted
Wales will be concerned they went scoreless in the second half despite 20 minutes of sustained territory and possession. Their sole try came from a quick tap taken by Rhys Webb and that meant they went through multiple attacking phases without scoring. One of the main reasons for that was Scotland’s defensive effort, particularly their scramble defence. But Wales only caught Scotland out once despite having a huge amount of the play, which suggests they maybe need a little more variety in their game.
Scotland had that; they could change tack and target George North and Liam Williams under the high ball, in what seemed a pre-planned ploy. It helped that both Seymour and Tim Visser were exceptional, but Scotland demonstrated why they are the best attacking team in this tournament: they can take you on close to the breakdown, switch play out wide or go high.
Attacking precision has made this the best championship in years
All three tries were taken brilliantly. They all reminded me a little of Elliot Daly’s match-winning score in Cardiff because if there had been one poor pass in the move then the try would not have been scored. Attacking precision is becoming a real feature of this Championship and it is just one reason why I believe this is the finest Six Nations in at least a decade.
Wales’s try was a perfect example of quick thinking from Webb – who was exceptional – but Scotland’s scores were just as impressive. For the first, Visser switched wings to act as an extra man, and his timing in arriving at the right moment gave Seymour the space to score. For Visser’s try Stuart Hogg was the key man, and his flicked pass was an excellent piece of skill that Wales just had to applaud.
Warburton back to his best
Wales will be pleased with the performance of Sam Warburton. I think he is much more comfortable at No 6 than No 7, which is where he made his name, and he is benefiting from being relieved of the burden of captaincy. Like Tipuric and Jones he dipped somewhat in the second half but I am delighted to see him having an impact and showing the world what a good player he is.
Letting Cotter leave is a bad mistake
It was fantastic to hear such a brilliant atmosphere at Murrayfield and it made me wonder if the Scottish Rugby Union might look silly in allowing Vern Cotter to leave his post as head coach, which he will do at the end of this Championship. He has done an outstanding job. I question whether the SRU realises what it is giving away with Vern leaving to join Montpellier and Glasgow director of rugby Gregor Townsend taking over. Gregor has time on his side, and with the two of them in their current positions Scotland are in a position of real strength. Vern has built a vibrant, attacking side that has got the nation behind them and it seems a shame to be giving that up.