Wales Vs Scotland - SUNDAY 12th FEBRUARY - KO 15:00 Gonna be a classic..!

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Wales Vs Scotland

Date: Sunday, February 12
Kick-off: 15:00
Venue: Millennium Stadium

Coverage: Live on BBC One Wales, BBC Radio Wales & online, S4C and Radio Cymru, plus live text and score updates on the BBC Sport website

Date: Sunday, February 12
Venue: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Kick-off: 15:00 (15:00 GMT)
Expected weather: Cloudy with a few showers likely. High of 5°C, low of 3°C
Referee: Romain Poite (France)
Assistant referees: Peter Fitzgibbon (Ireland), Simon McDowell (Ireland)
TMO: Giulio De Santis (Italy)



Scotland will encounter a Wales side oozing confidence when round two of the Six Nations concludes at the Millennium Stadium on Sunday.

The opening round of the Championship was a weekend of contrasting fortunes for the two sides.
Wales underlined their status as potential Six Nations champions with a rousing 23-21 victory over Ireland in Dublin. It was a wonderful advert for Six Nations rugby with two teams going at it hammer and tongs for a game won in the last 20 seconds.
That win came less than 24 hours after Scotland had started their challenge with a 13-6 loss to England at Murrayfield. The Scots created enough chances to have beaten their visitors last week, however simple errors coupled with a lack of tries led to another disappointing defeat for Andy Robinson's men, who have now lost three on the trot.
Just once in 13 attempts have Scotland won on the opening weekend of the tournament since Italy joined the Five Nations in 2000.
Scotland must now attempt to bounce back and beat the Welsh in their own back yard - something they have failed to achieve in a decade.
They came mighty close though in their last Cardiff contest after leading by ten points with seven minutes remaining, only for the now retired Shane Williams to score a last-gasp try to secure a dramatic 31-24 come-from-behind victory.
Winning away from home has been a wee bit of a problem for the Scots in the Six Nations, where they have won just once on the road since 2006 (23-20 against Ireland at Croke Park in 2010).
But despite Scotland's poor showing last weekend and dismal away record, Wales will do well not to underestimate Sunday's visitors who are expected to come out all guns blazing after asking for the Millennium Stadium roof to be closed.
With wet weather being forecast, Scotland - notwithstanding the apparent lack of abilities to score tries (at least in the past four games) - have backed themselves to take on Wales at their own expansive game.
"We cannot afford to underestimate Scotland, the amount of possession and territory they had against England last weekend meant that they should have won the game and they will come to the Millennium Stadium buoyed by that knowledge," said Wales coach Warren Gatland.
Wales have won the opening two games of a Six Nations campaign on just two previous occasions - in 2005 and 2008 - and each time they went on to win the title and Grand Slam. Three of the World Cup semi-finalists' remaining four games are in Cardiff, starting on Sunday when try-shy Scotland arrive at the Millennium Stadium.
But following Wales' heroics in Dublin, the build-up to Sunday's Test has been blighted by the suspension of Bradley Davies, who will miss the rest of this season's tournament after collecting a seven-week ban for a reckless tip-tackle on Ireland replacement Donnacha Ryan last weekend.
Davies is the second Wales player suspended for that offence this season following Sam Warburton's dismissal and three-week punishment for an incident in the World Cup semi-final against France last October.
Davies now joins his fellow World Cup locks Luke Charteris and Alun-Wyn Jones on the international sidelines. But in a triple boost for Gatland, flanker Dan Lydiate has recovered from an ankle injury to reclaim the number six shirt, prop Gethin Jenkins has recovered from knee trouble to start and skipper Warburton also features after being in doubt with a leg injury.
However, Warburton has been wrapped in cotton wool this whole week and took a very limited part in training while staying clear of any contact work. Whether he actually leads the team out hangs in the balance and probably won't be known until the morning of the match.
In a game where the back-row battle will be absolutely crucial, everyone in the Welsh camp - and in Wales as a whole - will be keeping their fingers crossed that the inspirational skipper can defy the injury odds and help guide his team to back-to-back wins.
Wales are favourites, but nobody should have any illusions how tough this match will be...
Ones to watch:

For Wales: Former Wales captain Ryan Jones will, as expected, fill the second-row void against Scotland caused by Bradley Davies' seven-week suspension. Jones was exceptional at blindside flanker against Ireland in Dublin and his versatility is proving of immeasurable value to Gatland.
For Scotland: With Dan Parks calling it quits from Test rugby this week, Greig Laidlaw inherits the number 10 jersey for Scotland. The Edinburgh skipper won the first two of his three caps as a replacement scrum-half, before coming on at fly-half for Parks in the Calcutta Cup defeat to England. Yet an impressive display during the small amount of time he was on the pitch has been rewarded with his first Test start.
Head to head: Toby Faletau v David Denton. Scotland's Zimbabwean-born number eight Denton was deservedly named man-of-the-match following his Herculean ball-carrying against England last Saturday, and much of the same will be required against the tough as nails Faletau, who will always be found where the battle is at its most ferocious.

Recent results:
2011: Wales won 24-6, Edinburgh
2010: Wales won 31-24, Cardiff
2009: Wales won 26-13, Edinburgh
2008: Wales won 30-15, Cardiff
2007: Scotland won 21-9, Edinburgh
2006: Wales won 28-18, Cardiff
2005: Wales won 46-22, Edinburgh
2004: Wales won 23-10, Cardiff
2003: Wales won 23-9, Cardiff
2003: Scotland won 30-22, Edinburgh
Prediction: Neither history or form is with Scotland heading into this match, and while we're sure they'll give it a good crack - we just can't see Wales letting this one slip. Wales to win by nine points!
Rugby Union betting odds

The teams:

Wales: 15 Leigh Halfpenny, 14 Alex Cuthbert, 13 Jonathan Davies, 12 Jamie Roberts, 11 George North, 10 Rhys Priestland, 9 Mike Phillips, 8 Toby Faletau, 7 Sam Warburton (c), 6 Dan Lydiate, 5 Ian Evans, 4 Ryan Jones, 3 Adam Jones, 2 Huw Bennett, 1 Gethin Jenkins.

Replacements: 16 Ken Owens, 17 Paul James, 18 Lou Reed, 19 Andy Powell, 20 Lloyd Williams, 21 James Hook, 22 Scott Williams.

Scotland: 15 Rory Lamont, 14 Lee Jones, 13 Nick De Luca, 12 Sean Lamont, 11 Max Evans, 10 Greig Laidlaw, 9 Chris Cusiter, 8 David Denton, 7 Ross Rennie, 6 Alasdair Strokosch, 5 Jim Hamilton, 4 Richie Gray, 3 Geoff Cross, 2 Ross Ford (c), 1 Allan Jacobsen.

Replacements: 16 Scott Lawson, 17 Ed Kalman, 18 Alastair Kellock, 19 John Barclay, 20 Mike Blair, 21 Duncan Weir, 22 Stuart Hogg.

I fancy Scotland to cause Wales a few problems, the lineout will be the key for the Scots as Wales have yet to find a hooker who can throw a ball straight, if only the Scots had a flyhalf who could kick for field position.

Scotland have always had a strong 2nd row and back row and in Denton have unearthed a real gem.

Whilst I think we go in as favourites it won't be a walk in the park some may be suggesting.

For a start Scotland will already be fielding a far better side than last week due to Pars retiring.

bedfordwelsh wrote:For me this game is more important than the Irish game. On Sunday we were away from home, were not favourites IMO yet we got the win.

This weekend we will go in as favourites and how we handle that will be the telling factor, we now need to hopefully build on last week otherwise the win in Dublin won't be worth diddly squat.

The team have to deal with expectation now. It was a grand victory last week. Any of the best sides in the world would struggle against Ireland in Dublin this year. They got a lot better during the RWC they were unlucky to lose. Now playing the way we know they can, the way their HEC glory seeking Provinces do.

Scotland are no shabby team and if the passes had gone to hand would have put four tries on England, there defence was good too, meaning that England never looked threatening and had to rely on the lucky bounce of a charged down kick, credit to the Scots for that.

If - Four tries - If!



But they didn't did they, if my auntie had balls she'd be my uncle!

maestegmafia wrote:
Scotland are no shabby team and if the passes had gone to hand would have put four tries on England, there defence was good too, meaning that England never looked threatening and had to rely on the lucky bounce of a charged down kick, credit to the Scots for that.

Yet another dig at England badly disguised as a compliment to another side by maesteg

If

maestegmafia wrote:Ireland... playing the way we know they can, the way their HEC glory seeking Provinces do.

If you'd read any of the Irish threads, you'd know that it's a major frustration to their fans that they're not playing the way the provinces do.

Heard that Liam Williams and Stephen Jones haven't been released to the Scarlets.

Chunky Norwich wrote:Heard that Liam Williams and Stephen Jones haven't been released to the Scarlets.

The Scarlets are playing thursday night so that could be why they haven't been released, i'd imagine if it was a weekend game then they would of been released back to the Scarlets later on this week.

SafeAsMilk wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:
Scotland are no shabby team and if the passes had gone to hand would have put four tries on England, there defence was good too, meaning that England never looked threatening and had to rely on the lucky bounce of a charged down kick, credit to the Scots for that.

Yet another dig at England badly disguised as a compliment to another side by maesteg

He has a point, Maesteg,why disguise what you think , England created very little and got a lucky charge down. I saw nothing there that would worry Wales, Ireland or France

See at least you're open about it munkian.

I don't agree and you're getting totally carried away after getting your first win in a while, but fair play to you!

Wales got a lucky penalty against Ireland.

If any of you had played the game you would realise that sometime it is easy to fall into the trap of only playing what’s in front of you, England won a poor game, one of the reasons why SH teams look so good is that they are ruthless and strive to destroy teams even when they are 10, 15, 20 points in front, NH teams only do enough to win.

It's just how we play the game.

England have won 5 of their last 7 Six Nations matches which isn't too bad for RWC 1/4 finalists

Wales got a lucky penalty against Ireland.

Doesn't mean we would have lost if it hadn't been awarded. What many are forgetting is that Wales had made ground from our own half all the way up towards the Irish 22 before that penalty. Even if it hadn't been given we could have pushed on and scored another try for all anyone knows.

RubyGuby wrote:England have won 5 of their last 7 Six Nations matches which isn't too bad for RWC 1/4 finalists

5 out of the last 6. Unless you're counting the last game of the 2010 tournament v France which would be a bit odd.

That's 5/7 then

Righto! I love these arbitary arbitrary ranges for statistics

Knowsit17 wrote:

Wales got a lucky penalty against Ireland.

Doesn't mean we would have lost if it hadn't been awarded. What many are forgetting is that Wales had made ground from our own half all the way up towards the Irish 22 before that penalty. Even if it hadn't been given we could have pushed on and scored another try for all anyone knows.

The All Blacks would have kicked to the corner and won the game with a try.

My dad is better than your dad.

My dad is your dad!!!! and let's face it George North is the real Daddy

RubyGuby wrote:My dad is your dad!!!! and let's face it George North is the real Daddy

So then you are my brother from another mother?


Hallo boet.

Maybe I'll change my name to BiltonTaff

What's wrong with RubyBek?

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:What's wrong with RubyBek?

It sounds like a new conundrum game

Fancy a game of RubyBek?

So the Wales team's announced today. My thinking is that we should have Dan Lydiate on the bench, Ryan Jones staying at blind side and Lou Reed at lock. We'll need an out-and-out lock against Richie Gray and Jim Hamilton, and I don't want us to risk starting Dan Lydiate only for him to miss the England game. Same with Gethin Jenkins: bench on Sunday, start at Twickenham.

lp,

I am guessing they are the only areas open for debate really.

2nd row Jones or Reed

Prop Gill or Jenkins.

I would keep Gill in the team until he gives us reason to drop him, he was aggressive in the loose and I thought he did well come scrum time against a useful Irish front row. I think we need experience against Scotland and I would plump for Ryan 2nd row and Dan in the back row.

Plus, Bedford, Ryan Jones had one his best games in a Wales shirt for a long time last Sunday. As good as Dan Lydiate is, I think Ryan deserves to keep the shirt.

Gats seems sometimes to pick players who have a good record against particular opposition, which might go in Ryan Jones' favour vs Scotland.

The one I'm biting my nails about is FB - please, not Hookie.

I honestly don't know what Hook offers at full back that Halfpenny and Byrne don't. Apart from a weakness the opposition can exploit.

lp,

Yeah that was most probably his best game for some years, I wouldn't have problem with him starting and giving Lydiate 20 off the bench ready for the England game.

I guess it depends on whether he wants bit of experience next to Evans in the 2nd row or not.

Anyone know what time the squad's due to be named?

It was 11.50 last week, so could be the same time today.

Said lunchtime on the news

3.50pm today!!!!!!!

Interesting...
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/rugbynation/rugby-news/2012/02/09/sam-warburton-to-start-for-wales-against-scotland-as-justin-tipuric-ruled-out-with-ankle-injury-91466-30294256/

Is it true that Warburtons dead leg was caused by Andy Powell punching it as part of a practicle joke at half time?

If that's true then Powell must punch pretty hard to keep Warburton out of contact training for up to a week later

Knowsit, with the injury to Tipuric I think it would be wise for Gats to bring Shingler onto the bench. If Sam gets another bump we'll have to move Lydiate to 7.

Agreed. Or if Ryan Jones starts alongside Evans and manages an 80 minute game then he can switch to 6 with Reed coming off the bench to fill in at lock.

Turnbull has just come back from injury, just saying in case we find ourselves in need of an extra openside later in the tournament.

Got to say the strength in depth is looking fantastic all of a sudden!

Turnbull is playing tonight, so would he be called up? I want to use this to blood Shingler but would also like to see a fresh front row on the bench (Jenkins, Owens, Mitchell;I really hope he doesn't drop Gill.) as we also need to blood our replacement 2 and 3. Bench is a bit tricky this week. Any scots thinking the team would be weakened with these subs coming on is foolish as these are the form players.

Going to select my team: Halfpenny, Cuthbert, Davies, Roberts, North, Priestland, Phillips, Faletau, Warburton, Lydiate, Evans, R.Jones, A.Jones, Bennet, Gill. Bench: Jenkins, Owens, Mitchell, Shingler, Williams, Hook, Beck.

I know, I didn't mean for Sunday but maybe later in the tournament if Warbs and Tipuric both end up injured at some point.

Wouldn't have two props on the bench, need to spare a place for Reed either in the starters or on the bench imo. Shingler can cover the back row if he's brought in.

For a second there I thought you meant Scwelsh international Shingler and you were just blooding him against Scotland out of sheer spite!

That would be interesting Chequered - imagine the reception Steve Shingler would get from both sets of fans!

Would anyone else want to see Bennett on the bench just to shore up our lineout - as I believe that Owens can do a very good job in the scrum, but can do more than Huw in the loose and has a better throw.

CJ/priest, can't imagine that S Shingler would accept the invitation, can you?!

Not at the minute no, not while the Scottish appeal is still going - but I think give him (and Wales) a few years and he'll be in the Wales shirt if he keeps improving.

I'd have no qualms with Ken Owens getting a start.

Priest,

Not sure he would do more than Bennett in the loose but yeah his throwing mught be better.

luckless_pedestrian wrote:I'd have no qualms with Ken Owens getting a start.

+1