It was a chastening opening day defeat against Ireland. Wales were brushed aside comprehensively, without being able to dent the polished performance of the home side.
What is also true is that this did not come as a big surprise. I think we all feared that this was likely but hoped Wales could somehow escape the reality.
Next Wales face Scotland in the second round of the Championship again, a Scottish side who, like last year, are coming off the back of an inspirational win against England.
With the Scots smarting from defeat to Wayne Pivac's side 12 months ago, Wales’ Six Nations is in the balance.
The Welsh attacking play has come in for some rough treatment this week. Wales could not land a meaningful blow against the Irish and nothing exemplifies this more than the penalty count.
Predominantly, penalties are conceded by the defensive side when they are under stress, they make errors under pressure because they feel the threat is real. They slow the ball down at the ruck, collapse a driving maul or try to pinch a yard getting back into a defensive line.
Wales were unable to stress Ireland at any stage and consequently the home side never felt they were losing control of the play and never felt the need to transgress.
Much of the criticism has been aimed at the attacking structure and the lack of options Wales had compared to Ireland. But that was only a product of Ireland having quick ball going forward, whereas Wales had slow ball standing flat.
And therein lies the problem. It really doesn’t matter what your tactics are and who is standing at first receiver; if you are dominating the gain line you will look like world beaters.
And so, when looking ahead to the match this weekend, winning the collisions is where the focus will be. Clearly it is not a simple fix, but there are three aspects of this battle that Wales have to address.
Firstly, technique. Things such as body height in contact, being square to the touch line, support players latching on, accelerating onto the ball. All small things that help you win that vital yard.
Secondly, emotion. Rugby is not a sterile game of chess; the contact area is a fight between you and your opposite number. How much passion, how much determination, how much anger can you harness to help you win that fight matters.
Then you have to repeat that again and again. The adrenaline wears off quickly, and it’s then that your inner desire takes over.
Finally, and most importantly, the individual’s characteristics. Some players are more dynamic, more powerful, more aggressive and are simply better at winning collisions than others. They may be limited in lots of other departments but they deliver on the gain line.
In fairness to Pivac, there is a dearth of options available to him at present. But there are a few clear options, Ross Moriarty being one. He thrives in the physical confrontation and is an emotional leader for Wales. He had to start against Scotland.
Dewi Lake is another such player, with the genetic attributes to manhandle opponents. I would give him an equal share of the game with Ryan Elias.
Rhys Carre is a mountain of a man. Wales do not produce people of this size often enough to be able to under-use the ones we do have. He has weaknesses no doubt, but if Wales are going to be competitive in the next World Cup, they will need players like Carre to be there.
He needed to come onto the bench. That he hasn't disappoints me.
Seb Davies at least is there. He is Wales’ most athletic second row, the closest we have to a Maro Itoje or an Eben Etzebeth. He has much to learn but he has the raw materials and may be able to develop the rest.
Unless he is exposed to international rugby regularly he will never make the that leap up to that level. He must come off the bench early on Saturday.
Finally there is Jac Morgan. To me, he looks a Test match player. Why Pivac has dragged his feet in getting him involved, is beyond me. Why the Scarlets let him go, I will never understand.
He is technically excellent in contact. Powerful carrying, strong over the ball, comfortable distributing and fights for every inch. I'm happy to see him start on the weekend and see him get stuck into the Scottish loose forwards.
There has been a lot of doom and gloom around Welsh rugby after the defeat of the Under 20s and then the senior team, but here I have named a few of the next generation that will be the custodians of the red shirt for the years to come.
They are not fully formed players yet, but mixed with experience and given encouragement, things may not appear quite so gloomy.
Scotland are a better side than they were a year ago but I don’t think there is much between us and them.
Taine Basham and Dan Biggar need to get in Finn Russell’s face the whole afternoon. Scotland will want lots of quick rucks so Wales need to get hands underneath the ball and hold up the runners.
Wales must remain vigilant of trick plays. Gregor Townsend and Russell have a penchant for the unexpected and they often work.
I think the match will be very close but this is best Scottish side to come to Cardiff in 20 years and I fear they will sneak it.
To get the latest Six Nations headlines emailed straight to your inbox for free every day, just sign up to our rugby newsletter here.
Gwyn Jones is a part of S4C’s Clwb Rygbi Rhyngwladol team. Coverage of Wales v Scotland gets underway at 1.30pm on Saturday, on S4C and S4C Clic. Watch every Wales match during the 2022 Guinness Six Nations on S4C. Also, watch coverage of Wales Under 20s v Scotland Under 20s from 7.50pm on Friday night, English commentary available.
