Three things to remember about this game. One, Scotland players making big hits on Welsh players and coming off worse. Two, Leigh Halfpenny's first 6 Nations try. Three, solid Welsh defence in the last 15 minutes.
I was impressed with how sharply Wales started. They played some slick rugby in the first ten minutes. The first big moment of the game came when Scotland winger Simon Webster put a big tackle on Martyn Williams. The Welsh open side was stopped in his tracks and his head was whipped back nastily. Thankfully Martyn was okay and it was Webster who was feeling more groggy from the tackle. Not long after Scotland prop Geoff Cross chased an up and under and took out Lee Byrne in the air as he was catching the ball. The replay showed that Cross caught a knee in the face accidentally. He was stretchered off and given a yellow for the dangerous tackle. Wales piled on the pressure and managed to score two tries when Scotland were down to 14 men. Shanklin and Wyn-Jones crossed after good team play.
The best try of the game came early in the second half. Jamie Roberts made a good break up the middle and the ball went through the backline to Shane Williams who off loaded brilliantly to set up Halfpenny for a fall over the line. More good play saw Shane add to his Wales try count before Gatland brought on new players for the last twenty minutes. Scotland came back into the game with a try but the final result was never in doubt.
A solid start for Wales. A decent away win.
My man of the match: Jamie Roberts
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