Matt Williams’ career in international coaching got off to a dismal start when his Scotland side were well a truly beaten, 23-10, by Wales at the Millennium Stadium.
Matt Williams’ career in international coaching got off to a dismal start when his Scotland side were well a truly beaten, 23-10, by Wales at the Millennium Stadium. And least there be any doubt about the merit of his side’s peformance or the task that faces Williams, it might be pointed out that the final scoreline was hugely flattering to this Scotland team.
They were dominated and outclassed in almost aspect of this game and their only try came in the final moments of the game.
Wales began with the clear intention of running the Scots ragged and their plan worked a treat. They spread the ball wide at every opportunity and that resulted in a most entertaining first half, – from a Welsh or neutral point of view that is.
It began with a Rhys Williams try followed by a second from prop Adam Jones who popped up on the left wing to romp over unopposed. In between there was a drop-goal from Scotland number 10 Chris Paterson but his side spurned the opportunity to close the gap further when Brendan Laney took a quick tap penalty when a kick at goals looked a much better option. The Welsh led 18-3 at the break but in truth Scotland were fortunate to be even that close.
Things didn’t improve for the Matt Williams side in the second half as Williams scored his second try and after this the flair went out of this game as Wales contented themselves with containing the Scottish offensive. It wasn’t really that difficult a task because the Scots had neither the wit out wide nor the weight up front to seriously trouble the Welsh.
Scotland lifted the siege and really should have scored another try but Williams went for his hat-trick instead of indulging those outside him. Instead the Scots launched one final assault and that ended with a try for Simon Taylor with Paterson’s conversion bringing proceedings to a close
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