Wales give high-flying Scots reality check

WALES brought Scotland crashing back down to earth with an emphatic reminder of why they are the defending Six Nations champions and why, despite losing to England last week, they are bent on retaining their title.

Scotland produced one of the championship's great performances last weekend in defeating pre-tournament favourites France with a brand of high-pressure, high-tempo rugby that Wales have made their own in the last 18 months.

Scotland arrived in Cardiff with some people describing them as the "new Wales" as if the old Wales were finished. Mike Ruddock's men proved that is most certainly not the case.