​I felt dirty on Saturday night. I even thought about having a bath to wash away my sins.

The thing was that, err, cough, I can barely bring myself to say this but, I felt sorry for Scotland. In fact, I felt gutted for them. Incredible.

My Scottish mates would gladly and openly support any team that England played against in any sport – ever.

And here I was feeling sorry for them after (and this makes me feel dirty too) cheering them on in their game against Wales at the Millennium Stadium.

I wanted Wales to lose because they were favourites, because England would have a better chance of Six Nations glory if they lost and, in a bitter and twisted way, because the Ospreys’ 16th man Lee Byrne was playing for them.

That whole 16th man saga still leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.

Not only driven on by a desire to see one side lose, I actually started wanting Scotland to win as well, the longer the game went on. I couldn’t stop myself.

Their defence was fantastic, their blitz was aggressive and their back row was all over the pitch. They were brave, they fronted-up and they really wanted it.

Not only that, but they were trying to play some expansive rugby too.

Dour Scotland? Physical Scotland? Proud Scotland? Yes.

But ‘expansive’ Scotland? What was going on?

Time and time again, they repelled the marauding Welsh as they tried to get back into the game.

But 24-14 ahead with just three minutes left, the Scots looked set to hand Wales their second consecutive Six Nations defeat.

What a result. What a shot in the arm for the competition this would be.

Even the sight of Scotland coach Andy Robinson – the Englishman in charge of England during their most barren spell in living memory – looking pleased with himself, didn’t put me off cheering on his boys in blue. But alas, it was not to be.

Shane Williams injury-time try broke the Jocks’ hearts.

I jumped up and shouted “No!” then sat down with head in hands feeling glum.

They were feelings that lasted a good five minutes too. It was a strange afternoon.