MX23RW : Saturday, December 14 16:43:48| >> :600:212953:212953:

Gregor Townsend: 'Scotland are just getting started'

Gregor Townsend: 'Scotland are just getting started'
© Reuters
Scotland's win was their first in Wales since 2002.

Gregor Townsend promised there was “a lot more to come” from his Scotland side as a 14-10 Guinness Six Nations victory over Wales ruined Alan Wyn Jones’ landmark day in Test rugby.

Wales captain Jones made a record 149th Test appearance in Llanelli, but the veteran lock forward was on the losing side as Scotland claimed a first win on Welsh soil since 2002.

It was a third straight win for Scotland in the delayed 2020 Six Nations after victories over France and Italy in the spring.

Wales v Scotland – Guinness Six Nations – Parc y Scarlets
Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend was delighted after his side’s first win in Wales since 2002 (David Davies/PA)

“To get an away win is something we’ve been waiting for a while in Wales,” said head coach Townsend.

“For this group it’s great to have some confirmation of the hard work and progress they are making.

“We know there’s a lot more to come. If it wasn’t such a special victory and the character was on show, I’d be thinking there’s so much more we’ve got to improve.

“But you need those wins to build the confidence in the group, for the players to see there’s progress. Come the next Six Nations we’ll have to be better because the teams we’re playing against are very good.

“It’s a step in the right direction but there’s a lot more work to do.”

Scotland dominated possession and territory at a wind-lashed Parc y Scarlets and won the battle of the breakdown, with flanker Jamie Ritchie named man of the match.

Replacement hooker Stuart McInally scored the decisive try just after the hour mark to put Scotland 11-7 in front.

“To come back in the second half when we went behind and earn that win was good to see,” said Townsend, whose side finish the Championship with the best defensive record having conceded 59 points in their five games.

Wales v Scotland – Guinness Six Nations – Parc y Scarlets
Scotland’s Scott Cummings wins a line out during their 14-10 victory over Wales in Llanelli (David Davies/PA)

“It was a difficult situation with no crowd, the wind and injuries, so it was good see that togetherness and character and power in the second half. It was encouraging.”

Wales, meanwhile, have suffered five straight defeats with Wayne Pivac enduring a torrid time since succeeding Warren Gatland.

It is the first time since 2007 that Wales have managed only one win in the Six Nations Championship.

Pivac said: “It’s not going to be lost on us, it was the worst defeat in terms of performance.

Wayne Pivac file photo
Wales have suffered five consecutive defeats under head coach Wayne Pivac (Adam Davy/PA)

“We didn’t fire too many shots. We have to go away and put a line in the sand, because we have got two weeks to build into the Autumn Cup.

“We have to lick our wounds and make sure we make the right impression in that tournament.

“But we must improve because we lost our way in the last half-hour in the breakdown. We’ll certainly look at that because the breakdown killed us.”

Skipper Jones said: “We’ve got to improve, it’s as simple as that.

RUGBYU Wales

“They (Welsh public) have got high expectations from the previous 12 years. Of those 12 years we won three grand slams and a championship. We can’t really forget the eight years that were pretty dormant.

“We’ve got to work to change that.”

On his personal record, Jones added: “It’s done, now we can move on. It’s not the time to celebrate that now.”

ID:420566: cacheID:420566:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:10520:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
rhs 2.0
Today's games header


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!