Clive Griffiths made a welcome return to where it all started for him as a head coach, with Wales Students, coaching them to a 34-10 win over Scotland in the opening match of the Student Four Nations at the University of Nottingham.
It was Wales Students’ first international win since they returned after the pandemic in 2023, and after losing the last five matches, one with their heaviest ever defeat and two more in the top ten losses, this win, orchestrated almost perfectly from start to finish, was a welcome sight.
It was Griffiths’ 69th match in charge of a Wales side, the 44th for the Students, previously coaching them from 1988-92 and 2008-13. He had also famously coached Wales men 25 times from 1991-2000.
The win set the standard for what will be a tough week for Wales Students as they face England on Wednesday and Ireland on Saturday.
Wales top the table tonight, but only just. Also today in the Student Four Nations, England beat Ireland 40-18, also scoring seven tries.
This match didn’t start well for Wales. Jacob Holt gave Scotland the lead in the eighth minute with an unconverted try.
Wales soon levelled thanks to an excellent run by Lewis Ingram and then took the lead when Finlay Northrop grounded in the corner.
Thomas Moore scored Wales’ third try, brilliantly running onto his own grubber kick.
None of the tries so far had been converted, the strong wind on the university field affecting the accuracy, so Wales went into half-time 12-4 up.
The Welsh opened the second half well when Lewis Howells scored in the corner after ten minutes. Moore landed the first successful kick of the game to put the score onto 18-4.
From kick-off, Leo Jones went over in the opposite corner for Wales’ fifth try. It went unconverted but Wales now had a healthy three-try cushion.
James Tufnell used his strength to get a try back for Scotland, which Ethan Yarold improved, before being sent off minutes later for instigating a brawl. Wales’ Connor Thomas was yellow carded for his involvement.
With more open spaces, Wales soon scored again. Moore slipped through a gap to ground and convert himself.
Completing the rout was Ingram who turned on brilliant pace to run underneath the sticks for his second and Wales’ seventh try of the game. Moore converted.
Scotland
Owen Palmer, Jak Quinn, Jacob Holt, Mackenzie Cumming, Scott Shaw, Ben Neave, Hayden Cumming, Connor Terrill, Frazer Murray, Alex Woodhall, George Murray, Oli Reddy, Guy Chalstrey.
Interchanges: Dom Aston, Oli Inch, George Kinnard, James Tufnell, Ethan Yarnold.
Tries: Jacob Holt (7), James Tuffnell (58),
Goals: Frazer Murray 0/1, Ethan Yarnold 1/1
Sent Off: Ethan Yarnold (63) - Punching
Wales
Lewis Ingram, Lewis Howells, Eli Weekes, Leo Jones, Llewellyn Hawkes, Tom Moore, Connor Thomas, George Groves, Alex Green, Fin Northrop, Archie Whillock, Mason Phillips.
Interchanges: Connor Madden, Scott Simmons, Iwan Stacey, Mason Apsee, Natt Cotton (19th Man: Evan Moore).
Tries: Lewis Ingram (14, 76), Finaly Northrop (17), Thomas Moore (21), Lewis Howells (50), Leo Jones (53), Thomas Moore (67),
Goals: Llewellyn Hawkes, 0/2 Thomas Moore 3/5
Sin Bin: Connor Thomas (63) - Late Tackle