Back to basics for Hadden

Scotland coach Frank Hadden has blamed his side's basic errors that lead to their 30-15 Six Nations defeat to Wales in Cardiff on Saturday.

Scotland coach Frank Hadden has blamed his side's basic errors that lead to their 30-15 Six Nations defeat to Wales in Cardiff on Saturday.

Wales winger Shane Williams notched up two tries – one of them a controversial score – as the home team maintained their winning start to the tournament.

The Scots fell away from a two-point deficit midway through the second half and failed to create any significant try-scoring chances.

“Ball in hand we were just awful,” Hadden told BBC Sport.

“We were getting turned over too often.

“The first thing we need to do is improve our set-piece and then hold onto the ball, we are struggling.”

The flawless kicking of Chris Paterson kept Scotland in the game even after James Hook had breached some sloppy Scotland defending to cross over for his try which added to a personal haul of twelve points.

On the bright side, Paterson's five penalties out of five took him past Gavin Hastings' all-time record for the Scots in the tournament.

But despite the consistency of Paterson's kicking, Scotland had nothing to offer on attack – Scotland have scored just one try in four matches – as they succumbed to Wales' slick running game.

Hadden admitted his side have to make significant improvements in the fortnight before their trip to Croke Park to face Ireland on February 23.

“At the moment we are not getting started, [we have] no platform to launch attacking strategies,” said Hadden.

“The players have to take responsibility and will have to front up against Ireland in Dublin.

“They are aware of what we are trying to do but it's not coming off.”

Paterson's boot ensured Scotland were within a try of Wales in the second half, but the game changed when Williams touched down for his second try of the afternoon on 67 minutes.

The Ospreys winger clearly made contact with the touchline before touching down in the corner, but TMO Carlo Damasco ruled in favour of the home side.

“That was the critical moment of that match,” said Hadden.

“We had been gutsy and defended well and made the most of our opportunities. But from that moment on [after Williams's try] we had to force the game and we didn't do it well.”

One further worry for Scotland is a head injury to Jason White which saw Chris Paterson assume the captaincy towards the end of the first half.

However Hadden had a positive prognosis on White.

“He was struggling in the first half but he seems OK,” he said.