If Wales’ win over Ireland last weekend was shrouded in controversy, they returned to more routine ways on Sunday against Scotland with a clinical defeat of their Celtic rivals.
The hosts did, however, have to fight off a spirited first-half challenge, where the visitors enjoyed the majority of territory and possession, and Wales’ tackle count was twice that of Andy Robinson’s men, who went in level at 3-3.
It was a surprisingly low scoreline considering the level of quality, broken field running that had took place in the opening 40 minutes, and while the second half began in similar fashion, the scoreboard eventually reflected that.
Leigh Halfpenny was the thorn in Scotland’s side with two tries but not before 1.98-metre winger Alex Cuthbert burst over for the opening try of the match, two minutes after the restart.
Nick De Luca then saw yellow for Scotland, and Wales were in no mood to let them rest easy with 14 men, as Cuthbert put in Halfpenny out wide, after Wales had used the width of the Millennium Stadium to stretch the diminished Scottish defence to lead 20-6, Halfpenny and Greig Laidlaw having previously exchanged penalties.
Worse came for the visitors soon after as 14 became 13, full back Rory Lamont being sin-binned after tackling Toby Faletau from an offside position. Wales took less than two minutes to take advantage once again, winning the resulting lineout from Lamont’s infringement, and driving at the line.
Halfpenny looped around the back of scrum-half Mike Phillips, who’s perfectly-timed offload saw the British and Irish Lion cross for his second try.
Halfpenny dusted himself off and landed the conversion from the left to give Wales a 27-6 lead, and leave Scotland in all sorts of bother.
A half-century of Welsh points seemed a real possibility, such was the disarray Scotland were in, but to their credit the visitors dug in and fashioned a glorious opening, only for Stuart Hogg to be adjudged to have knocked the ball on with the try line at his mercy.
It was an agonising moment for Scotland, particularly after the quality of the attack that had moved them deep into Wales’ 22, but considering they were five games without a try, it seemed like cruel irony that replays would show that Hogg hadn’t offended.
With Robinson’s face red with anger, his men at least gave him something to cheer moments later, with giant forwards David Denton and Richie Gray leading another purposeful break.
Hogg led a line in off the wing, before Laidlaw chose his moment perfectly to outfox the Welsh defence and touch down right on the line, before adding the extras.
Scotland’s effort in getting themselves back into the match was as unexpected as it was impressive, but they seemed to run out of steam, and despite being intent on clawing back their two-try disadvantage, couldn’t breach the home defence again.
