6N squad - starting team

[Jocky]

Wales will do what they always do against us - force us into making mistakes with physicality, an aerial bombardment and line speed. We then implode. We really need to be up for this match and treat it like it's the biggest game in our history, which it is - a chance to do what we've never done before by winning the first two matches in a six nations campaign. It's time to get the Welsh monkey off our back. We won't be respected by other nations until we start consistently delivering. It's like we've become the new France - inconsistent with not knowing which version is going to show up. It's time to change this persona.

[switchskier]

Why is that pass not massively forwards?

[switchskier]

Well this is massively shit. Once again getting dominated for possession by a Garland team.

[Which Tyler]

Well done Scotland - very well deserved

[Wallpaperman]

Congrats Scotland & good luck for the rest of the championship

[Ross. S]

Congrats guys. Easily the better team today. You'll have far sterner tests this year

[Big D]

Nice to look forward to a game where we can win thr triple crown. Even if huge underdogs.

[pompey-zebra]

Well done Scotland, by far the better team won. There's talent and belief in this team and you dont need to fear anyone.

[Cameo]

Delighted with that. First half there were errors that kept Wales in it but we were clearly the better team. Previously we have lost our heads in that situation and started getting frustrated. This time, we stuck to the game plan and pulled away. Felt like Steyn's first try was crucial in giving us confidence.

[Jocky]

Really stepped it up in the second half - the first half and especially if Wales hadn't fluffed that chance just on half time it was normal service being resumed on this particular fixture. Finn was, well 'Finntastic' in the second half. They found a way to win despite being fortunate to be ahead at half time. I think we can go into the next two games as big underdogs and hopefully it will bring even better performances out of the team. So happy to exorcise the Welsh hoodoo.

[Jocky]

Kinghorn has been very impressive in the last two games - his pace is such a weapon. Duhan was dangerous every time he got the ball and is so difficult to bring down, but his pass to Kinghorn shows he is developing all the time too. Steyn may not have Darcy's x faxtor but he is a very solid performer. Shug was fantastic today also. Pack really stepped up in the second half to give Finn the space to do his magic.

[BaldiePete]

Very pleased (and surprised) that we managed to be in front at half time despite some slack play and Turner’s card. Second half was a revelation, we finally did what we’ve thought we should be able to do and put a team away and not blow it when we are in front. I thought Kinghorn was excellent when he came on. Playing at 10 for Edinburgh (and sometimes for Scotland) has made him a better 15. I think this has to be his position in future. Finally, Russell’s back of the hand offload for Steyn’s try was pure rugby porn. Loved it.

[Cameo]

Very pleased (and surprised) that we managed to be in front at half time despite some slack play and Turner’s card. Second half was a revelation, we finally did what we’ve thought we should be able to do and put a team away and not blow it when we are in front. I thought Kinghorn was excellent when he came on. Playing at 10 for Edinburgh (and sometimes for Scotland) has made him a better 15. I think this has to be his position in future. Finally, Russell’s back of the hand offload for Steyn’s try was pure rugby porn. Loved it.

I think these last couple of weeks Kinghorn has shown what Townsend wants from him at the moment. A bench player who covers ten but can come on in different positions and offer real impact.

Having said that, I found his two late drops a little disappointing. They are the type of errors that have held him back a bit.

[Cameo]

Dunno how much of this is confirmation bias, but to me the biggest difference in attack is having two centres who offer a threat. Gives Russell options and opens up so much more space. Previously, I have felt Russell ends up desperately looking for Hogg or trying too hard to get the ball straight to the wings.

[switchskier]

I missed the last 15 minutes but I actually came away a bit frustrated. Thought that we were really poor in the first half, dominated in terms of possession and territory and making cheap mistakes to undo good attacking ball. Wales were awful, but still got into our 22 9 times in the first 65 minutes. None of the other teams will be as inept. Though I'm delighted with the result and to be 2/2, I think we still need to see another step up in a fortnight's time, even if we don't win.

[Big D]

Dunno how much of this is confirmation bias, but to me the biggest difference in attack is having two centres who offer a threat. Gives Russell options and opens up so much more space. Previously, I have felt Russell ends up desperately looking for Hogg or trying too hard to get the ball straight to the wings.

Harris being taken out has helped but the attacking structures being completely changed too which is the biggest thing IMO. ABZ was a pretty average attacking coach.

The forwards have been giving rapid ball too which hasn't happened consistently for a while.

[General Zod]

Thoroughly enjoyable, and a triple crown game to look forward to. However, first we need to make sure we start well against France, as if we open up against them like we did v England and wales, we could be out of the game by half time. Would be great to be in it with 20 to go and get the French fans jeering.

[Cameo]

Another thing - how great is it to have Richie Gray on form?! I have to be honest and admit I thought he was well and truly done even at club level.

Gilchrist is still a big question mark for me though. I genuinely don't know if he is a mistake prone plodder or a key part of our pack both in terms of the lineout and clearing. There are a lot of calls for Skinner (and two years ago they would have been for J Gray) but I don't know if we would be losing something that isn't obvious without being in camp or analysing in real detail.

[Mikey Brown]

Yeah that was strange. Wales were properly shit, but we kept the pressure on for the most part and suddenly had a handsome lead. Will need infinitely more for France and Ireland, but the fact we managed to back up all the talk around this game was very enjoyable.

If Wales had scored a couple of their many, many chances it would have been interesting to see how we’d respond.

[Cameo]

If Wales had scored a couple of their many, many chances it would have been interesting to see how we’d respond.

I have seen a bit of talk about Wales' missed chances. I might have missed some but I can only remember Dyer's drop just before half time?

I felt their attack was blunt and we dealt with it pretty comfortably. Didn't feel like we were under much pressure to me. That feeds into my assessment of the first half too. Not perfect, but we looked on top to me. I think Scotland fans were just understandably nervous because previously we have followed that up by getting drawn into a niggly second half.

[Cameo]

Also, made the mistake of looking at the Offside Line ratings and comments on them. A lot of unfair hate on Zander Fagerson at the moment.

They also have it the other way round on Gray and Gilchrist. Questioning if Gray has the fire anymore and giving Gilchrist a 9!

[Big D]

Another thing - how great is it to have Richie Gray on form?! I have to be honest and admit I thought he was well and truly done even at club level.

Gilchrist is still a big question mark for me though. I genuinely don't know if he is a mistake prone plodder or a key part of our pack both in terms of the lineout and clearing. There are a lot of calls for Skinner (and two years ago they would have been for J Gray) but I don't know if we would be losing something that isn't obvious without being in camp or analysing in real detail.

Gray and Gilchrist make a good combo. Gilchrist is solid in defence and hits plenty of rucks and is good in the lineout. Gray is good around the park and very good in the lineout.

[Big D]

Also, made the mistake of looking at the Offside Line ratings and comments on them. A lot of unfair hate on Zander Fagerson at the moment.

They also have it the other way round on Gray and Gilchrist. Questioning if Gray has the fire anymore and giving Gilchrist a 9!

They are over the top on ZFagerson. He does get involved in needless niggly shit but wasn't too bad after the flare up though.

[Big D]

Yeah that was strange. Wales were properly shit, but we kept the pressure on for the most part and suddenly had a handsome lead. Will need infinitely more for France and Ireland, but the fact we managed to back up all the talk around this game was very enjoyable.

If Wales had scored a couple of their many, many chances it would have been interesting to see how we’d respond.

Grays tackle on Cuthbert just before half time was huge. Cuthbert was in if Gray hadn't tackled him.

[Cameo]

Also, made the mistake of looking at the Offside Line ratings and comments on them. A lot of unfair hate on Zander Fagerson at the moment.

They also have it the other way round on Gray and Gilchrist. Questioning if Gray has the fire anymore and giving Gilchrist a 9!

They are over the top on ZFagerson. He does get involved in needless niggly shit but wasn't too bad after the flare up though.

Yeah, every second post is saying he is a massive penalty machine. Takes someone to point he gave away the same as Nel the week before!

His niggle does sometimes annoy me to be honest, though I suspect half the people complaining about him spend the rest of their time complaining we are "too nice". I sometimes wonder whether ZFagerson's gumshield doesn't help him - makes it look like he is smirking the whole time.