“It’s gut-wrenching”- Steve Tandy and Dewi Lake react to agonising Six Nations defeat: 5 Talking Points

Sunday, 22 February 2026 at 10:25

byHarry Tovey

So close, yet so far more, as a first Six Nations win since 2023 goes on for Wales. Steve Tandy’s side fell to an agonising 26-23 defeat against a poor Scotland outfit in front of a raucous Principality Stadium.

Following George Turner powering over and Finn Russell adding the extras minutes from time, Scotland held on to record a fourth successive victory over Wales for the first time in almost a century.

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Absolute agony for Tandy’s side, who looked mightily more impressive than their previous outings against England and France.

Scroll down for the 5 talking points from a sombre post-match press conference as both Tandy and Wales captain Dewi Lake react to the brutal defeat.

1- “Gut-wrenching”- Lake reacts to the narrow defeat

Wales were on track to record their first win in 14 Six Nations games, but despite tries from Rhys Carre, Josh Adams and 10 points from Sam Costelow, they fell just short of a huge victory.

“It’s gut-wrenching. It is a tough feeling because you know the performance was there,” began Lake.

“We delivered the things we spoke about throughout the week. In the first half, we were dominant; we applied pressure and attacked them.

“We’ve spoken a lot about staying in moments and didn’t do that for the full 80 minutes, which is why the scoreboard went against us.

“We probably did enough to win the game, which makes it so tough.”

2- “Bitterly disappointed”- Tandy on the three-point defeat

“Bitterly disappointed not to win the game. But massive pride in the group,” began Tandy, whose side almost recorded their third triumph since the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

“I know we’ve spoken about where we want to be as a team. That was a step in the right direction, but we’ve got to be better next time.

“There was a lot to like in the first-half, with how we attacked the game. That was excellent. There was more of what we wanted to see as a group.

“I’m coaching this team, and I’m devastated for them.”

3- “It’s another harsh lesson”- Tandy reacts to Darcy Graham’s Try

A moment of madness followed Jarrod Evans’ penalty kick as, after some quick thinking from the Scots, replacement Graham raced over to put the visitors within touching distance.

On how big a moment it was, Tandy added, “It’s huge in the game. Test match rugby, you need to make people work for their opportunities.

“We feel we didn’t do that in that moment. We were looking to extend the lead. It gave Scotland energy, where if we take the kick-off and get it off the field, that’s seconds off the clock.”

“It’s another harsh lesson in some of the games. In high-class games, you can’t knock off.

“We backed up moments in the game, handled the yellow card pretty well. There was some great stuff.

“The intent and physicality from the group was there, but that moment cost us.”

4- Updates on Plumtree and Costelow

Scarlets teammates Taine Plumtree and Sam Costelow, who both were starting their first game of the championship, went off injured.

They are set to both undergo scans on Monday, as it’s expected that the pair will be on the sidelines for the remainder of the tournament.

“They don’t look great at the minute. Sam’s not weight-bearing. Taine is AC.

“We’ll have scans on those two boys, but it doesn’t look great at this time.”

5- “Everyone felt it”- Principality Stadium noise

A lot was made of the crowd in Wales’ 54-12 defeat against France last Sunday. In Wales’ last two home outings against ‘Les Bleus’ and South Africa, their home stadium has not felt homely.

It was a record-breaking low last Sunday, but this time around, with a crowd of 70,649 inside the stadium, it felt more like Cardiff than Paris or Cape Town in recent times.

“The support today was incredible,” said Tandy, whose side now face Ireland in Dublin next and conclude the championship against Italy in the Welsh capital.

“There’s lots of questions asked about the crowds, but I thought they were unbelievable.

“Everyone felt it. The players gave them something to cheer about, but ultimately, they got behind the team.

“It’s a snapshot of what we want to be.”