KEY AREAS A HUGE CONCERN AS FIGHTBACK FALLS SHORT
WHAT a day of Six Nations rugby. Wales looked odds-on to suffer their heaviest Six Nations defeat in Cardiff only to come within a whisper of recording the greatest comeback in the competition’s history.
It wasn’t to be as Warren Gatland’s men slipped to a 27-26 defeat to Scotland, their first at home against their Celtic rivals since 2002.
It was a breathtaking contest which had more twists and turns than a Steven Spielberg film. Wales now have to regroup with the aim of building on an excellent second-half performance before Saturday’s clash with England at Twickenham.
Now the dust has settled on an enthralling contest in Cardiff, rugby correspondent Steffan Thomas picks his winners and losers.
TOMMY REFFELL
Reffell and his back-row team-mate Aaron Wainwright were the only two players who could hold their heads high at half-time after what had been a disastrous 40 minutes for Wales.
There has been a lot of fanfare around Jac Morgan’s performances at the Rugby World Cup – and rightly so – but it’s easy to forget just how good a player Reffell is.
The Leicester Tigers openside has been one of, if not the best, fetchers in the English Premiership for the past few seasons, and he has successfully transferred this form onto the international stage.
If Reffell hadn’t been on the field things would have been a lot worse for Wales at half-time.
The Pencoed man won a couple of crucial turnovers, while he was relentless in defence and also carried well.
He was instrumental in dragging Wales back into the game.
Morgan has a fight on his hands to get back into this Wales team if Reffell maintains this level of form.
AARON WAINWRIGHT
The fact he was named player of the match in a losing side tells you everything you need to know about the quality of the Dragons man. Wainwright was outstanding throughout, and excelled in every area.
The 26-year-old was Wales’ main source of line-out ball, while he tackled himself to a standstill.
His carrying game has come on leaps and bounds, with one explosive charge upfield during the second half eventually resulting in a Wales try.
Wainwright has previously said his preferred position is No. 8, but more often than not he has been used at blindside to make way for the worldclass Taulupe Faletau.
The reality is once Faletau is fit, Gatland will likely want to include both players in his back row, but in the long run Wainwright will be his successor in the No. 8 shirt.
He is a serious contender to tour with the British and Irish Lions in the summer of 2025.
TOMOS WILLIAMS
No man did more to change Wales’ fortunes than the Gloucester-bound scrum-half.
Williams did benefit from playing behind a Wales pack that was on the front foot, but regardless of that he was outstanding.
There was so much more tempo and speed in Wales’ game with Williams at No. 9, while he posed a serious threat with ball in hand which played havoc with the Scotland back row.
His game management was also top class with his decision-making very good.
Former Wales playmaker Rhys Priestland recently claimed Williams is currently the best player in Wales, and it’s hard to disagree with his assessment.
He must
Saturday. start at Twickenham on
IOAN LLOYD
It wasn’t the best start for the Scarlets playmaker, who replaced the injured Sam Costelow during the closing stages of the first half, as he missed a kick to touch which would have given Wales a five-metre line-out.
But to his credit he put that one blunder behind him, and was quietly impressive during the second period.
Lloyd’s range of passing along with his peripheral vision added a different dimension to Wales’ attack. The 22-year-old’s footwork also asked plenty of questions of the Scotland defence.
On the whole Lloyd managed the game well during the second half, and Gatland would have been pleased with how the Scarlets man performed.
Given Costelow failed a HIA, Lloyd is surely in pole position to wear the No. 10 shirt at Twickenham on Saturday.
FINN RUSSELL
The Scotland playmaker was pure class and demonstrated a fly-half masterclass during a perfect 40 minutes of rugby for Scotland.
Russell’s kicking out of hand was majestic, while his boot piled on the points and made Wales pay for their ill-discipline.
His range of passing was a joy to behold as he ripped the Wales defence to shreds.
His delightful inside pass on 42 minutes sliced the Wales defence wide open and it allowed wing Duhan van der Merwe to race in a stunning try.
At his best the Bath star is one of the world’s best players, and is worth the entrance fee alone.