Six Nations
Tom James' 70-metre sprint may have saved Wales' Six Nations hopes
Martyn Thomas
February 13, 2016
Wales shade Scotland in Six Nations epic

CARDIFF -- When the dust settles on the 2016 RBS 6 Nations, just how pivotal might one second-half fumble at the Principality Stadium prove?

With a tad under 25 minutes left on the clock in Cardiff, Scotland were in the ascendancy, three points up and looking to turn their dominance into a first ever win against Warren Gatland's Wales. The hosts' defence was creaking and their tag as tournament favourites appeared to be weighing heavy.

That was until Scotland flanker John Hardie lost control of the ball deep in Wales territory and Tom James scooped it up. James is not the quickest winger in the world but his 70-metre burst upfield turned the game on its head.

The Cardiff Blues man may not have been able to outstrip Duncan Taylor but he had already altered the momentum of the contest. From defending for their lives, Wales were suddenly on the attack.

Minutes later they had a scrum five metres from the Scotland line, and a vociferous Cardiff crowd at their backs. It was the red tide that was now pushing forward.

© Paul Ellis/AFP/Getty Images

Fast forward through a series of punishing set pieces, several failed darts from close range, and Wales had their second try -- a powerful finish from man of the match Jamie Roberts.

More importantly they also had the lead. It may only have been a four-point advantage, but the mood inside the stadium -- amplified with the roof once again closed -- had shifted, too.

The home fans expected their heroes to deliver the goods, and George North duly obliged. The Northampton wing had gone five Tests without a try but put that right with a barrelling run to give Wales an 11-point lead and break Scottish hearts.

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Victory keeps Wales a point behind France and puts them right in the championship mix, with England still to face Italy on Sunday. Gatland had used his programme notes to stress the importance of the next two home games, and with France the visitors here next, on the last Friday evening of February, it is easy to see why.

Win under the Friday night lights and Wales really would be favourites to lift this year's Six Nations.

Not that they looked like title challengers for large spells in Cardiff on Satuday, and the Welsh coaching staff will know there is work to do. Not least in attack.

Handling had been a problem in Dublin, and a first-minute Taulupe Faletau knock-on set the tone for another worrying afternoon where retaining possession was concerned. Keeping hold of the ball in cold conditions is not easy, of course, and at times the hosts' task was made more difficult by a dodgy supply line.

Gareth Davies has provided excellent cover for Rhys Webb but his distribution can, at times, be erratic. Too many times, Wales players are having to look down before they look sideways.

That said, the hosts were put under an enormous amount of pressure by a committed performance from Scotland. The visitors even had to overcome an unfortunate oversight by the TMO for Davies' opening try, when the Welsh scrum-half was offside after Roberts had contested a high ball. It was referred 'upstairs' principally to check for a knock-on, but should have been pulled back for the other infringement instead.

Such is the way for Scotland at the moment -- they are the epitome of a team that hasn't won a Six Nations match under their new coach. You sense that if they break that streak, some of these other circumstances will start going their way as well.

© Stu Forster/Getty Images

There were -- as is repeatedly the case for Scotland of late -- plenty of positives. Vern Cotter had clearly noted Wales' deficiencies when trying to play with width against Ireland last weekend, and his side looked to show them the channels.

The late switch that saw Tommy Seymour switch to the right wing paid dividends for the visitors, too. The U.S.-born wing was imperious under the high ball and played an integral role in a Scottish game plan that for 56 minutes or so had Wales rattled.

Seymour embodied the confident, attacking spirit that coursed through Scottish veins ahead of kick-off. Scotland dominated possession and territory, and when Wales found themselves in the Scottish half they struggled to break a defence that begged them to go wide.

As the second half highlighted, that is not the Wales way.

Progress for Scotland is real but they need to turn performances into results, starting with their trip to Rome in a fortnight. Lose there and yet another wooden spoon beckons - that is the slim margin they are facing.

In Cardiff, they were undone by small errors that had a massive effect. Once Wales scented blood, Scotland had no answer. If the hosts can carry that killer instinct into the rest of the championship, then a fourth title might well be theirs.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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