Gregor Townsend: Memories of 2010 collapse were on my mind

A repeat was almost on the cards on Saturday as Scotland flew into a 27-0 lead, before the hosts responded with four tries.  

Townsend admitted memories of that day in 2010 were on his mind during the hosts’ fightback.  

“The 2010 match here was coming into my thoughts as the second half went on. I remember the atmosphere that day and Wales had the momentum and came back on the scoreboard and the same happened today. 

“Fortunately, we stayed ahead and we were able to play well in the last five minutes.”  

While Townsend was pleased Scotland avoided a repeat collapse, he was concerned by the drop-off from his side after a dominant opening 40 minutes.  

“We didn’t have that many opportunities but we grew in confidence and were accurate and we put Wales under pressure.  

“To score those two tries was a good reward - sometimes you don’t get that in first halves, but to have that cushion should have made it a more comfortable second half. 

“The fact that it didn’t is a concern for us. A lot of that was to do with the penalty count and the numerical advantage Wales has for 20 minutes. That created problems and created pressure and Wales played their best rugby in that period, too.  

“We went out in the second half with the same mindset but we couldn’t get on ball and had to defend a man down.” 

His side also coughed up 16 penalties in the match and Townend was disappointed the visitors got on the wrong side of referee Ben O’Keeffe.  

"Wales didn’t concede a penalty in the second half. Sixteen penalties to four in a game we were 27-0 up in just doesn’t seem to make sense but we’ve got to look at where we can improve.  

“We were getting penalised for things around the tackle ruck area and offsides that Wales weren’t getting penalised for. We have to be better. To concede 16 penalties, no matter if we thought they were harsh decisions, it’s going to put you under pressure, and it did.” 

READ MORE: Scotland player ratings as discipline causes second half issues

https://www.scotlandrugbynews.com/scotland-rugby/24095785.scotland-player-ratings-discipline-causes-second-half-issues/

Townsend was pleased Scotland had ended the 22-year wait for a win in the Welsh capital, but said attention has already turned to next weekend’s meeting with France.  

He knows they will need to be better to defeat Fabien Galthie’s side, who will travel to Murrayfield wounded by their defeat to Ireland on Friday night.   

“I know how hard it is to win here, both as a player and as a coach, so I feel pride that we’ve managed to finally get the win at this stadium. 

“We’ve got to take a lot of pride in the win and the performance because it was our first outing in four months and how we started that game and the second half.  

“Next week is a totally different challenge against a team that has been one of the best in the world for a number of years and are coming in one the back of a defeat. They will be a big threat to us and we’ll have to be better.” 

Scotland will almost certainly be without both Richie Gray and Luke Crosbie for Saturday’s match with France.  

Gray went off early on with a bicep injury, while Crosbie was forced off in the second half with a shoulder problem.  

Scotland forward Luke Crosbie (Image: PA)

Townsend said Gray may miss the rest of the championship.  

“They’re both in a lot of pain. Richie knew straight away that it was a bicep injury, so that doesn’t look good for this championship. 

“Luke’s is a shoulder injury which is a painful one now but that might settle, though probably not for next week. Let’s hope he’s not done any significant damage there.  

“It’s a blow to lose two players who are in our starting team. Richie is a very experienced player for us and Luke has been outstanding this season and took the game to Wales.  

“We’ve got Grant Gilchrist coming back from suspension and we’ve got a lot of competition in the back row. I’m sure guys will be able to step up when they get the opportunity next week.”