Gatland impressed by Wales maturity

Warren Gatland
12 April 2012

Wales head coach Warren Gatland hailed the maturity of his side after seeing them take a second step on the road to a potential RBS 6 Nations Triple Crown with a 27-13 victory over Scotland at the Millennium Stadium.

Wales managed the victory despite having captain Sam Warburton ruled out before kick-off with the dead leg he suffered in Dublin last week, and lock Bradley Davies suspended following his tip tackle in the same game. And it was his side's ability to deal with those obstacles that pleased Gatland most.

"We expected Scotland to be a lot tougher than maybe the public did," he said.

"If you look at their numbers last week in terms of territory, possession and line breaks, they should have won that game against England. So we are very pleased with the result given the disruption of losing Sam Warburton, and having to adjust to the loss of Bradley Davies during the week, as well as being without three or four key players.

"That is a sign of the maturity of this team at the moment. They can handle these disruptions and it doesn't seem to affect them psychologically, they just go out and play the game so there are some very pleasing aspects on and off the field with this team at the moment."

While Wales ended the weekend sitting top of the Six Nations table, Scotland were again languishing near the foot of the table.

Greig Laidlaw's consolation score did see Scotland register their first try in five Tests but this was a fourth-straight defeat for Andy Robinson's side and leaves the former England coach with just two wins from 12 Six Nations games in charge.

But Robinson refused to criticise his side, despite seeing errors rob them of a chance of victory for the second week running after their reverse against England at Murrayfield.

Robinson said: "The guys did not deliberately get sin-binned, but that's what happens in the game. Wales exploited the space really well and kept hold of the ball. When you are down to 13 men you are going to be put under pressure if a side is able to keep hold of the ball and keep a good shape and I thought they did that really well.

"You look at the small margins of the game and I have to say I am really proud of the way my team played. The endeavour that was shown, the attitude that was shown. But just after half-time there was an error and we have been punished for it."

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