The sending off of Murray, Scotland’s famed lineout specialist, gave the home side a crucial advantage at the set piece, and his presence was missed in the loose. With the extra man, Wales were able to build a lead they were never to relinquish, as Gareth Thomas and Sidoli added to an earlier penalty try.
Wales were playing the style of rugby that won them the Grand Slam last season and playing with a defensive steel they had worked on in pre-match training sessions.
“We had to keep our discipline and we played some great rugby,” Mike Ruddock said after the match. Ruddock could only watch from the sidelines as the visiting Scots rallied to score two late tries and give the score line an air of respectability.
“Scotland showed great pride, they were a handful and wouldn’t lie down,” he continued. “They will go on to achieve great things, but for us it was about getting the result.”
