Crunch Time

The question on the lips of many Welsh rugby fans after last Friday's disappointing defeat to England at the Millennium Stadium is how did we let it slip? Indeed, it was a crushing loss and no-one was more distraught than me. It seemed as if in the second half we couldn't handle England's physicality, which is a very worrying sign. We also didn't use our brilliant backline enough. It's hard to recall a time when Jonathan Davies, Alex Cuthbert or Jamie Roberts were given the ball in the right areas and looked threatening.
However, in the first half, we looked like the Wales team that we are all used to. Dogged, determined and threatening with ball in hand in the right areas. Players like Toby Faletau and Leigh Halfpenny really put a shift in and fought for the Welsh badge on their chest. We went in at the break in a 16-8 lead, and certainly looked like the team that would go on and win the match. But after the break, something changed in both sides. England came out with new belief. They looked hungry and to be honest we couldn't live with them.
When Jonathan Joseph ducked and weaved his way around 3 missed tackles, you sensed the momentum had swung their way. That try moved England within touching distance, and the boot of George Ford gave them a victory that we will never hear the end of!
Yes, it was gutting, but there are positives to take from the game. In the first half, we had control against a strong team, and on another day, would have pushed on to win the game.  Theoretically, the championship is still wide open. If we win all our remaining games, which is not impossible, we have a decent chance of reclaiming the title that belongs in the "land of rugby", don't we?
What is important if we want to do well this year, is that we move on from this result quickly. We face a tough test at Murrayfield on Sunday. Scotland are starting to look like a side who can give most international sides a decent game. They went to France last week and made the French work hard for their victory, sometimes showing signs that they could win the game themselves. They have a fantastic backline, with Laidlaw, Hogg, Lamont, Fife and Visser all very able players.
In the forwards, the two Gray brothers will be a handful, with both looking good in Paris last week. I think the game will be one and lost in the first 20 minutes. If we can get an early try and play with confidence from the outset, then I have no doubt that we will take a valuable win back to Wales. However, if the Scots get early momentum and the Murrayfield crowd back them, then we could have a great contest on our hands.
We will be without Samson Lee and George North, who are both concuss after the gruelling battle last week. North in particular took some nasty blows to the head. They will be replaced by Liam Williams and Aaron Jarvis, who in my opinion, both deserve the call-ups.
I hope that we play fluent rugby and really go after Scotland, if we do then I think we will win the game. Our back line has the ability to score tries for fun, and we have the forwards that will work hard to secure ball for them. Let's hope we can bounce back, come on Wales!