Ill-discipline works in Wales' favour as they roll over Scotland

Another enthralling match involving Wales, this time with the slightly more emphatic scoreline of a 27-13 win. Scotland, apart from 10 minutes of madness at the start of the second-half, more than matched Wales, and were highly impressive. However, yet again, ill-discipline costs a team, this time Scotland, who shipped up two tries and 14 points with a reduced number of players. Credit must be given to Wales though, who took the opportunities presented to them well, and ultimately deserved their win. Anyway, onto my review, using the system I used last time, positives (+), negatives (-) and uncertainties (?):

Positives:

+ Wales' clinical finishing. Two errors from Scotland players resulted in yellow-cards, and Wales capitalised magnificently. Two tries, two conversions, 14 points, and effectively game over from that point onwards. Wales dominated with 15 men superbly and gave Scotland a horrendous time and ran them ragged. It is especially sweet after last week, leading me nicely onto my next point...

+ Wales' discipline was much improved on last week's performance. After Bradley Davies' mis-hap against Ireland, it would have please Warren Gatland that Wales were the beneficiaries of another team's ill-discipline, rather than toiling due to their own. A few penalties were conceded here and there, but generally speaking, they defended impeccably, and were very careful in their own-22, where any mistake could cost you a whole load of points.

+ Contrary to my blog yesterday, Captain and talisman Sam Warburton was ruled out of the match about an hour before kick-off. In came uncapped Scarlets Aaron Shingler, and he was sublime. His pace with the ball in hand was incredible, and with such little preparation time, he gave a remarkable relaxed and assured performance. So kudos to him from me!

Negatives:

- Mike Phillips, who won man of the match last week, didn't put in such a good turn this week. He didn't do anything particularly dreadful, but he just wasn't quite to the standard that we would come to expect from him. He was slow getting the ball from the ruck, and was caught unaware by the quick thinking Scottish forwards from the rucks on several occasions. He will be looking to bounce back next week, and I am sure he can deliver.

Uncertainties:

? Warburton's fitness is an obvious concern, as is George North's, who went off injured just before half-time. Both players are vital to Wales, as much as Shingler and Halfpenny shined in their place, and we will need them if we are going to win the England game.

In addition to this, the welcome return to fitness of Dan Lydiate is a bonus for Wales, and stand-in Captain Ryan Jones put in a stellar performance in a position unfamiliar to him. Finally, as you can see, not many negatives and uncertainties this week, which is good in my opinion with possibly our toughest match coming up in 2 weeks time. England at Twickenham is going to be a monster match. England, fairly underwhelming so far, will want to claim the scalp of Wales, and with home support, they will be so fired up to play. Wales' biggest reassurance is their form. Recently, Wales have always stepped it up against England, and will look to do so again. Saying that, I still feel that it will be too close too call, and the winner will be the team that handles the pressure better. Either way, it will be a cracking game, and with the possibility of the triple-crown, Wales will be more determined than ever to beat England on their own soil. Bring it on!

Final Score: Wales 27 - Tries: Cuthbert, Halfpenny (2). Convs: Halfpenny (3). Pens: Halfpenny (2)

               Scotland 13 - Tries: Laidlaw. Convs: Laidlaw. Pens: Laidlaw (2)