Well, what do we make of that? I was expecting Scotland v Wales to be the sort of contest the unbiased observer would relish and so it proved in a Test match that produced nine tries.
On the face of it, a fairly close score and two bonus points is not a bad return from a visit to Murrayfield when you think about it. Under the previous regime it would have been unthinkable.
However, in reality, we basically blew it in the first half. After a confidence-boosting performance against Ireland the players received a big slap on the back with the same team selected and we all expected the same level of performance, if not better. It didn't happen at all in that opening 40 minutes.
READ MORE: Six Nations appeal to be launched after 'disturbing' actions of referee
READ MORE: Six Nations announce decision on shock accusation over 'reprehensible' incident
I find the lack of consistency frustrating. Playing well in one game, deserving the plaudits, and then not performing in the next is difficult to accept. WillGriff John’s mental aberration didn’t help, either. It left us a man short at a time when we needed all hands on deck.
We lost the game in the first 50 minutes and if we had continued in the same way, we would have been dead and buried well before the end. However, under the circumstances, credit should be given for the display of tenacity in coming back at them in the latter part of the game. It seems our bench was more influential than theirs, with the likes of Dewi Lake, Aaron Wainwright, Teddy Williams, Gareth Thomas and Jarrod Evans providing what we had been missing in the first half. Joe Roberts also produced some good touches, even though he was actually on the field for most of the game as an injury sub for Tom Rogers.
We looked what we were, in truth, a team that is under-coached. This is understandable given our current predicament. Previously we had been over-coached.
We kicked more than they did but they achieved the territorial advantage, indicating that our kicking game was poor. It made Blair Kinghorn look like a world beater. As I have said so many times before, a kick is only as good as the chase and because they were in command territorially we were unnecessarily forced to play too much of high-risk rugby from deep in our own half.
Against Ireland our attacking play was refreshing. However, in my last column I expressed concern about getting carried away with it and it appeared that is what happened.
The selection of the team to play Scotland was made easy following the performance against Ireland. Every player deserved to keep his place. After the manner of this defeat, Sherratt has a lot to think about ahead of Thursday's team announcement for the England match.
Jac Morgan produced his usual captain's performance. At times he appears to be holding the team together on his own.
Taulupe Faletau is having an Indian summer. He has definitely shown his class in the last two games. It’s a long time since I can remember him running that far in a game. It’s a throwback to the time we used to see him running in the wide channels in his younger days.
Alongside them, Aaron Wainwright needs to be brought in at number six. We need his physicality and I’ve never been in favour of playing two number sevens.
Our scrum didn’t scale the heights of the previous game but it was adequate. However, Dewi Lake should return to the starting lineup. No disrespect intended to Elliot Dee because he has been superb in his contribution but Lake provides a physical presence that Dee doesn’t.
WillGriff John doesn’t deserve to be selected after the yellow card incident. Henry Thomas appears to be out of favour so I guess it is Keiron Assiratti who would get the nod.
Teddy Williams deserves to start alongside Dafydd Jenkins following his contributions off the bench. Will Rowlands just isn't providing the contribution that we expect from him anymore.
I would bring Josh Hathaway in as a straight replacement following Rogers' injury. With Josh Adams also on the injury list we are a bit thin on the ground in the back three.
Gareth Anscombe’s form has dipped somewhat and Jarrod Evans has done enough off the bench in the last two games to persuade me he should start against England. I would also bring Dan Edwards onto the bench.
The England game will prove to be a different challenge to Scotland. Although they have also introduced an element of the quick offloading strategy, it will not be played at such a high tempo as Scotland. It will, however, be much more physical.
If we approach this game in the same way as the Ireland game we will regain some self respect and give ourselves a chance. England have defeated themselves in the past and there's every hope they could do it again as they try and win the title.
