As frustrated Wales fans drive away from Twickenham on Saturday night, they won’t learn much from Wales’ 48-7 Six Nations defeat to England.
They already know Welsh rugby is in chaos and spiraling dangerously out of control.
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They had expected Steve Borthwick’s side to beat Wales at the Allianz Arena. Of course, that’s exactly what happened in seven tries against a ruthless England side.
England have won their last 12 Tests, while Wales have lost each of their previous 12 Six Nations matches, a streak dating back to March 2023.
So these are two teams going in different directions and going at a pretty fast pace.
Wales’ passion was unquestionable and the players proved after the game how much they care. Winger Josh Adams was nearly brought to tears and captain Dewi Lake honestly declared that the team had let both themselves and the country down.
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It’s a heartbreaking but now familiar story for Wales players and supporters, with few signs of recovery or any general optimism.
Miserable first half for Wales
Dewi Lake captains Wales with Jacques Morgan out injured [Huw Evans Picture Agency]
Since the end of 2023, Wales have been in poor form having lost 22 consecutive Test matches in 24 international matches.
However, a dismal opening 40 minutes against England will still take some of its toll as Wales equalized their heaviest half-time deficit at 29-0, the same margin they trailed France in 1998.
“We want to be positive about this young Wales team,” former Wales half Dan Biggar told ITV.
“There is a new coaching staff and staff but the level of performance in the first half was nowhere near international rugby standards.”
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It was the performance, not the result, that disappointed Bigger the most.
“We’re not saying Wales should beat England or France because they are the better team, but when you put on the red jersey there’s an expectation of performance,” he added.
“When you come to a place like Twickenham the performance level has to be much better.
“The way Wales lost and the level of performance they played in the first half was way behind them.”
Former Wales scrum-half Richie Rees told the Scrum V podcast: “We didn’t shoot.
“We didn’t put our stamp on the game and that’s where they’re going to get frustrated.”
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Tough discipline hampers Wales
At the heart of that first-half capitulation was the horrific discipline that plagued the Tandy era.
There were four bookings against England, with front-row duo Lake and Nicky Smith sent off within less than a minute of each other in the first half.
Cardiff center Ben Thomas and Scarlets wing Tyne Plumtree were both booked in the second half as Wales were twice reduced to 13 men.
“It’s hard enough playing England with 15 men, let alone 13 men for 20 minutes,” Tandy said.
“We’re not a good enough team to make these big mistakes. We have to be more accurate and I’m very disappointed.”
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Wales conceded 10 penalties in the first 21 minutes and 16 in total. It was the most goals Wales had conceded in a Test match since conceding 18 penalties against Ireland in 2009.
In the five games Tandy coached, the total number of penalties reached 65, including 10 yellow cards and 1 red card.
Wales are under huge pressure but Rees believes some of it can be avoided.
“It’s impossible to go into international rugby and concede so many penalties,” Rees said.
“That lack of discipline is something they can control. The type of penalties conceded are different and they have to improve.”
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Tandy’s Baptism of Fire
It was always going to be a difficult start to Tandy’s first job as international head coach, but his first Six Nations game in charge ended in devastating fashion.
After taking over a sluggish team, Wales have conceded 34 times and conceded 248 points in Tandy’s first five games, which will hurt the former Scotland defense coach.
“I knew when we took this job that it wasn’t going to happen overnight,” Tandy said.
“We know where we are now and it’s part of our journey, but even though we’re ranked 11th in the world, we expect more from ourselves.”
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One area where Tandy could use more support from the WRU is his coaching staff, which currently only has two permanent members: Matt Sherratt (attack) and Danny Wilson (forwards).
Tandy is an inexperienced national team coach, while Sherratt has been on the Test scene for less than a year.
Casual trio Duncan Jones (scrum), Rhys Patchell (kicking) and Dan Lydiate (defence) have been brought in for the second game after being involved last autumn.
Jones was forced to leave training camp after suffering a serious injury in practice, while Patchell and Lydiate are working on their craft after coming off games.
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Welsh rugby is in chaos both on and off the field
WRU chief executive Abi Tierney (left) and chairman Terry Cobner (right) sit above head coach Steve Tandy [Huw Evans Picture Agency]
The latest defeat has once again cast a different light on how crisis-ridden Welsh rugby can transform.
Welsh players are facing major problems off the field, with the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) threatening to ax the professional men’s team and the Ospreys facing the threat of disappearing from the top flight.
Some are calling for the WRU leadership to resign after another embarrassing performance this weekend, while others point out that the result underlines why change is needed.
WRU board member and former Wales center Jamie Roberts outlined the rationale.
Roberts told ITV: “This is a challenging time with the game in Wales facing performance and financial issues.”
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“We have taken the decision to play three teams in the best interests of the Welsh game. We want to see Welsh rugby flourish and club and country win again.
“How to get there is complex and a challenge for fans amid uncertainty, but we are making the best decisions for the medium to long-term benefit of the game in Wales.”
Lake refused to use off-field uncertainty as an excuse for England’s drubbing, but Rees said the issues were certainly causing concern.
“When people get certainty, you have a starting point, and we don’t have that yet,” Reese said.
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“Players, coaches and supporters don’t know where they are. No matter what you say, no matter how you try to park things, there’s a knock-on effect.”
Cardiff fans worried that Louis Rees-Zammit will continue at full-back
Louis Rees-Zammit starts four international defenders for Wales [Huw Evans Picture Agency]
France arrive in Cardiff next Sunday and Wales will be looking for their first home Six Nations win in four years.
The disastrous state of Welsh rugby means the WRU will struggle to sell out its three home games this year, with thousands of tickets still available for sale next weekend.
Tandy hopes Wales will get the same home support as always.
“The support from the fans for the team has been amazing,” Tandy said.
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“We know what playing at the Principality Stadium means to the kids and the fans give them huge confidence.”
It remains to be seen whether the Wales manager will make changes as he balances his reaction to mediocre performances with the need to develop a stable squad.
He said there would be no “knee-jerk reaction” and defender Louis Rees-Zammit appeared to have done enough to retain the number 15 jersey.
The former NFL trial player is making his first Six Nations appearance in almost three years after switching from wing to a new position.
Rees-Zammit had a shaky start and was kicked out for a rush early on, but he settled down and produced a brilliant breakaway in the second half.
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“He did a great job in his first start as a 15-year-old for our team in a while,” Tandy said.
“In Test rugby there’s not a lot of space but I think he’s adapted to the aerial game.
“He’s a big guy who lights up the game in some moments. We’re looking at how to get more of those moments.”
So maybe there’s one thing worth holding on to for Wales fans. No more yet.
