Why you don't give up on your dreams

IT’S BEEN said before but needs reiterating on a regular basis but there is no sporting tournament quite like the Six Nations and this mad encounter at the Principality Stadium provided the latest compelling evidence.

- BRENDAN. Y GALLAGHER

In any other sporting arena a totally dominant Scotland team leading 27-0 against a Wales side playing like a Sunday morning pub team after a lock-in would have been over as a spectacle and I suspect many around the UK and the rugby-watching world were tempted to turn off early in the second half, or at least wander out to the kitchen and start cooking the evening meal.

One more Scots score and there would probably have been a mass exodus from the Principality stadium as well with disgruntled fans fleeing the scene of the massacre to avoid the ‘queuing hell’ of Cardiff Central.

But the reason everybody stuck with it is because we know stuff happens in the Six Nations and there is well over a century of history and national pride at stake. You don’t give up on the dream and desert those wearing the colours. And we know deep down that there is no lead big enough that Scotland aren’t capable of blowing and we still feel that if Wales – any Wales team – suddenly gets hot and hits the emergency button they can score three of four tries in 20 minutes.

So we kept the faith and were royally rewarded with a comeback for the ages and mixed emotions. Scotland have squandered winning positions so many times before so although they pushed their luck tonight the fact they actually got over the line will be a huge boost as they square up against France. As for a young, injury wracked Wales team, in extremis they suddenly discovered themselves and have kept the Welsh public onside. Welsh rugby fans will cut this side a lot of slack if they can replicate their second half spirit and adventure.