Wales needs to make life incredibly difficult for Scotland and target their star player immediately! That's the urgent call from former Wales fly-half and S4C pundit, Gwyn Jones, as Wales prepares to face Scotland.
While it might have seemed like Wales showed improvement in their last outing, a closer look reveals a more complex picture. Some aspects of their performance offered glimmers of hope, but others have only amplified lingering questions about the team's fundamental structure.
The England game exposed glaring weaknesses. The line-out was a disaster, and discipline was even worse, with four yellow cards leading to extended periods of playing with only 13 men. This created vast spaces for England to exploit, essentially handing them the scoreboard.
But here's where it gets controversial... Against France, discipline improved, with no yellow cards and fewer penalties. Yet, Wales still conceded a staggering eight tries. This isn't just about individual lapses; it points to a deeper, systemic issue within the team's defensive setup.
Of course, France is an exceptional team, boasting immense power, skill, and timing, and they're on track for a Grand Slam. However, Wales simply cannot continue to leak 40 points per game and expect to be competitive. These numbers are unsustainable, even against the world's best.
Defense must become the bedrock of this Welsh side. They need to be a team that's harder to play against, awkward, and resilient. This means prioritizing line speed, tackling technique, defensive spacing, and overall cohesion. Players need to live and breathe defense.
Attack can take a backseat for now. Pragmatism must come first. The team's immediate goal should be to learn how to stay in the fight, and confidence will naturally follow.
And this is the part most people miss... Structurally, Wales was too narrow in their play, a weakness France expertly exploited. A prime example was when France committed half their backline to a driving maul, yet still managed to outflank Wales with cross-field kicks. This kind of tactical advantage will be ruthlessly punished by Scotland, who move the ball with speed and accuracy, exploiting any available gaps.
As Gwyn Jones mentioned previously, he'd love to see Tommy Reffell in the team. Against Scotland, Reffell should be tasked with getting under Finn Russell's skin. There's still a place for some old-school physicality and intimidation, as the legendary Ray Prosser would say, 'intimidation is nine-tenths of the game'. Russell's unpredictable nature must be exposed, and he must not be given the time or space to dictate the game and pick Wales apart.
Scotland might miss Matt Dempsey, as he makes a significant impact with nearly every contribution, and they lack an equivalent replacement, which weakens their bench's effectiveness. While the Scotland of old were known for their rucking power, they still approach rucks with aggression and speed in the modern game. Wales must match this intensity or risk surrendering control.
In attack, Wales can afford to be simple. They need to ensure their carriers get flat to the line and play off scrum-half number nine. Don't be afraid of being 'boring' – in fact, boring can be good, as it suggests a stalemate, which is currently what Wales should aspire to achieve. They need to retain possession, phase after phase, making small gains and forcing errors. Width and flair can come later; the priority is to establish a solid platform, create pressure, and resist the temptation for miracle plays.
The kicking strategy has faced criticism, but for Jones, it's less about the number of kicks and more about their execution. When Wales kicked long, they often sent a single chaser who was easily outmaneuvered. A connected line of defenders moving upfield together is crucial for cutting off counter-attacks, a fundamental aspect of the game.
Decision-making remains inconsistent. Against France, there were moments where line-out carries created space to build momentum, but Wales failed to recognize the opportunity and opted for a rehearsed kick instead. This hesitation is a symptom of low confidence, leading to missed opportunities.
The breakdown is another area of concern. Wales lacks a consistent 'jackal' threat. Chop tackles can allow for contests for the ball, slowing down opposition possession and setting up the defensive offside line. Holding up the ball carrier prevents the attacking team from advancing and can force the defensive line to retreat.
Wales needs to bring Scottish runners to the ground and contest hard for the ball. Looking back to the autumn, Wales faced a formidable run of games. The match against Scotland then felt winnable. However, reality has set in, and Wales is currently inferior to Scotland in too many areas to be confident of a victory.
But here's where a glimmer of hope emerges... We've seen this before with the Scottish team; inconsistency has been their hallmark. Is it too much to hope they might self-destruct again?
Wales is in a period of transition. The effort and desire are evident, but Test match rugby is unforgiving, and the errors remain too frequent and too costly.
My biggest wish for this weekend is that Wales avoids conceding early points. Let's not find ourselves three scores down in the opening 20 minutes. The key is to compete and stay in the game, applying pressure for the first hour. Engaging the crowd could rattle Scotland. Tackle everything that moves. The scoreboard might not be perfect, but the process is paramount.
Gwyn Jones is part of S4C's live coverage of every Wales match in the Six Nations. You can watch Wales v Scotland from 4pm on Saturday.
What are your thoughts? Do you agree that Wales needs to focus on being 'awkward' and targeting Finn Russell? Or do you believe they should prioritize their attack? Let us know in the comments below!
