Six Nations: Struggling Wales aim to avoid unwanted history

It was a disastrous first half where the calamitous mistakes from Blair Murray and Ben Thomas that led to Scotland’s fourth try typified the chaos.

Players like Ellis Mee and WillGriff John, who had produced encouraging Six Nations debuts against Ireland, were ruthlessly exposed to the realities of international rugby.

Coach Mike Forshaw’s Wales’ defence, especially out wide, unravelled with 33 missed tackles during the game.

Wales lost the aerial and kicking battles with Tom Jordan and Blair Kinghorn running riot and Finn Russell pulling the strings.

Scotland led 35-8 after an hour and a record defeat beckoned, before a revival in the final quarter was orchestrated by replacement fly-half Jarrod Evans who had come on for an ineffective Gareth Anscombe.

Wales managed to score three tries to pick up two losing bonus points and make the scoreline far more respectable.

Scotland had relaxed as Wales capitalised. Even Sherratt admitted Wales’ comeback occurred after the game was settled and Scotland had slipped by 5%.

Co-captain Finn Russell was off the field in the final quarter after suffering from cramp and other key performers had been brought off the field.

While the visitors could have set up a frantic finale if a late Taulupe Faletau try had not been disallowed because of Murray hurdling a tackle in the build-up, the hosts were the dominant side.