Scotland 21 Wales 9:After a performance as timorous and fitful as any during their Six Nations whitewash in 2003, Wales's stated ambition of winning the World Cup in October looked not so much the triumph of hype over expectation as a denial of how far they have fallen since Mike Ruddock departed as head coach a year ago tomorrow.
Scotland's richly deserved triumph, their third successive championship victory at home, did not mask the frailties in their game, just as the margin of their defeat at Twickenham the previous week had exaggerated their deficiencies. But Wales were so muted as an attacking force, so devoid of inspiration, direction and leadership, that the most remarkable feature of the home side's utter dominance was that it did not yield them a try.
In a one-sided second half prop Allan Jacobsen forced his way over the line only to be denied by Tom Shanklin, wing Chris Paterson was caught a yard out by Stephen Jones, an outhalf not renowned for his pace, and centre Rob Dewey did touch the ball down only to find that it was not he who had wrong-footed three defenders but the referee, Alan Lewis, who blew for a scrum.
Scotland showed far more attacking intent than at Twickenham but Chris Cusiter was too often caught in possession at the breakdown and, although Phil Godman proved a more willing link man than Dan Parks, he stood too deep and rarely committed defenders, forcing his side to play behind the gainline and highlighting their lack of pace. The more Scotland hogged the ball the more their lack of creative ability was exposed.
Gareth Jenkins has appointed Stephen Jones his captain for the World Cup campaign but the experiment of playing James Hook at inside-centre is not working. On top of that Wales do not have the resources to allow them to dump someone of Gavin Henson's match-winning ability and big-day temperament, no matter how wretched his form.
The return of Scott Murray gave Scotland the edge in the lineout, they squeezed the Wales scrum, and they got on top at the breakdown when Allister Hogg replaced Kelly Brown.
If there was a simplicity to their game, they at least knew what they were about. Much of Wales's play was patternless and although a few individuals stood out, notably the secondrow Alun Wyn Jones, they were lacking collectively and showed a chronic indiscipline which allowed Paterson to land seven penalties out of seven.
Hadden's side face examinations of a different kind in the next two rounds, at home to both Italy and Ireland, when they may not get away with such attacking profligacy.
Jenkins, having taken so long to climb to the top of the greasy pole, is already struggling to keep his grip.
SCOTLAND:Southwell; S Lamont (Walker 76), Di Rollo, Dewey, Paterson (capt); Godman (Webster 76), Cusiter (Lawson 80); Kerr (Jacobsen 58), Hall (Ford 73), Murray (Glasgow), Hamilton (Hines 52), Murray, Taylor, Brown (Hogg 58), Callam. Pens: Paterson 7.
WALES:Morgan; M Jones, Robinson, Hook (Shanklin half-time), Czekaj; S Jones (capt), Peel; D Jones (Jenkins 61), R Thomas (Rees 73), A Jones, Sidoli (Gough 54), AW Jones, Popham, Williams (J Thomas 73), R Jones. Pens: S Jones 3. Sin-bin: R Thomas, 59.
Referee:A Lewis (Ireland).
