Wales v Scotland, 15 March

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Walesv Scotland  

Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
15 March 2014, KO:14:45

Referee: Jérôme Garces (FFR)
First Assistant: Chris Pollock (NZR)
Second Assistant: Greg Garner (RFU)
TMO: Graham Hughes (RFU)

A. Squads

1. Wales

Forwards: Paul James (Bath), Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Ryan Bevington (Ospreys), Richard Hibbard (Ospreys), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Emyr Phillips (Scarlets), Adam Jones (Ospreys), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Rhodri Jones (Scarlets), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Luke Charteris (Perpignan), Ian Evans (Ospreys), Andrew Coombs (Dragons), Ryan Jones (Ospreys), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Sam Warburton Capt (Cardiff Blues), Toby Faletau (Dragons), Dan Lydiate (Racing Metro), Aaron Shingler (Scarlets)

Backs: Rhodri Williams (Scarlets), Mike Phillips (Racing Metro), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Rhys Priestland (Scarlets), James Hook (Perpignan), Jonathan Davies (Scarlets), Jamie Roberts (Racing Metro), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), George North (Northampton Saints), Leigh Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues), Liam Williams (Scarlets).

2. Scotland

Forwards: John Beattie (Montpellier), Kelly Brown (Saracens), Geoff Cross, David Denton, Alasdair Dickinson, Ross Ford (all Edinburgh Rugby), Chris Fusaro (Glasgow Warriors), Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh Rugby), Ryan Grant, Jonny Gray (both Glasgow Warriors), Richie Gray (Castres), Jim Hamilton (Montpellier), Robert Harley (Glasgow Warriors), Scott Lawson (Newcastle Falcons), Kieran Low (London Irish), Moray Low, Pat MacArthur (both Glasgow Warriors), Ross Rennie (Edinburgh Rugby) Alasdair Strokosch (Perpignan), Tim Swinson and Ryan Wilson (both Glasgow Warriors).

Backs: Chris Cusiter (Glasgow Warriors), Nick De Luca (Edinburgh Rugby), Alex Dunbar (Glasgow Warriors), Max Evans (Castres), Dougie Fife (Edinburgh Rugby), Stuart Hogg, Ruaridh Jackson, Sean Lamont (all Glasgow Warriors), Greig Laidlaw (Edinburgh Rugby), Sean Maitland (Glasgow Warriors), Matt Scott (Edinburgh Rugby), Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors), Duncan Taylor (Saracens), Greig Tonks (Edinburgh Rugby) and Duncan Weir (Glasgow Warriors).

B. Previous Form

9 March 2013, Murrayfield
18 – 28 to Wales

12 February 2012, Millennium Stadium
27 – 13 to Wales

12 February 2011, Murrayfield
6 – 24 to Wales

13 February 2010, Millennium Stadium
31 – 24 to Wales

8 February 2009, Murrayfield
13 – 26 to Wales

9 February 2008, Millennium Stadium
30 – 15 to Wales

10 February 2007, Murrayfield
21 – 9 to Scotland

12 February 2006, Millennium Stadium
28 – 18 to Wales

13 March 2005, Murrayfield
22 – 46 to Wales

14 February 2004, Millennium Stadium
23 – 10 to Wales

30 August 2003, Millennium Stadium
23 – 9 to Wales (2003 Rugby World Cup preparatory game)

8 March 2003, Murrayfield
30 – 22 to Scotland

6 April 2002, Millennium Stadium
22 – 27 to Scotland

C. Teams

1. Wales

15 Liam Williams (Scarlets)
14 Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues)
13 Jonathan Davies (Scarlets)
12 Jamie Roberts (Racing Metro)
11 George North (Northampton Saints)
10 Dan Biggar (Ospreys)
09 Mike Phillips (Racing Metro)

01 Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues)
02 Ken Owens (Scarlets)
03 Rhodri Jones (Scarlets)
04 Luke Charteris (Perpignan)
05 Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys)
06 Dan Lydiate (Racing Metro)
07 Sam Warburton (CAPT – Cardiff Blues)
08 Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons)

Replacements:
16 Richard Hibbard (Ospreys)
17 Paul James (Bath Rugby)
18 Adam Jones (Ospreys)
19 Jake Ball (Scarlets)
20 Justin Tipuric (Ospreys)
21 Rhodri Williams (Scarlets)
22 Rhys Priestland (Scarlets)
23 James Hook (Perpignan)

2. Scotland

15 Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors)
14 Dougie Fife(Edinburgh Rugby)
13 Alex Dunbar (Glasgow Warriors) 7
12 Matt Scott (Edinburgh Rugby)
11 Max Evans (Castres)
10 Duncan Weir (Glasgow Warriors)
9 Greig Laidlaw (Edinburgh Rugby) vice-cpt

1 Ryan Grant (Glasgow Warriors)
2 Scott Lawson (Newcastle Falcons)
3 Geoff Cross (Edinburgh Rugby)
4 Richie Gray (Castres)
5 Jim Hamilton (Montpellier)
6 Ryan Wilson (Glasgow Warriors)
7 Kelly Brown (Saracens) captain
8 David Denton (Edinburgh Rugby)

Substitutes
16 Ross Ford (Edinburgh Rugby)
17 Alasdair Dickinson (Edinburgh Rugby)
18 Euan Murray (Worcester Warriors)
19 Tim Swinson (Glasgow Warriors)
20 Alasdair Strokosch (Perpignan)
21 Chris Cusiter (Glasgow Warriors)
22 Duncan Taylor (Saracens)
23 Jack Cuthbert (Edinburgh Rugby)

Surely it'll be Biggar at 10 which will improve your kicking game, Priestland has been s***e.

We've definitely got an edge at 15 in terms of kicking duels now Halfpenny is gone. Probably did anyway.

I thought he broke down again and google confirms it. Out for the season apparently.

reallybored wrote:Surely it'll be Biggar at 10 which will improve your kicking game, Priestland has been s***e.

We've definitely got an edge at 15 in terms of kicking duels now Halfpenny is gone.  Probably did anyway.

You'd think, but there has been a few times that Gatland might've picked Biggar and still gone with Priestland. I wouldn't be surprised to see him at ten again. I don't criticise him much (as I accept he's probably playing to instructions half the time), but the one knock on was pretty unforgivable. A lot of Welsh players made basic mistakes, but Biggar was somewhat unlucky to lose his shirt after playing a strong part in guiding us to the championship last season.

Outburst. Sad lonely man. Well anyone who has paid for a ticket is entitled to support Wales. No matter how superior you feel to them , whatever reservoir of knowledge you feel you have that makes you a better match day supporter than the casuals isn't likely to affect the outcome anyway. There is no validity in your post anyway beyond your bigotry.

I'll let the right people deal with your unnecessary attack hopefully (though I am married and have a good career so not so lonely or sad thanks).

There is no high ground, just a fact that it is easier to get a one off ticket and no such thing as a season ticket. Hence a lot of supporters (bar those who pay for debentures or whatever) would probably be casual, as (unless you know different) there isn't really any way you can guarantee yourself a ticket for all Six Nations games. I am not disputing that whoever is Welsh will be supporting Wales, but the fact is there will be a fair amount of people who probably aren't too bothered about what has gone on in the tournament previously and are just there to experience a game in our stadium, or on a stag/hen do or just out for whatever reason with friends. That doesn't mean I doubt their ability to shout Wales Wales, oggie oggie oggie, or sing Bread of Heaven on the day, but there'll always be plenty of people who probably won't concern themselves too much with what went on previously compared to somebody with a continued interest.

Don't mess with 'lass, she'll get her W I chapter to post jam to you for the rest of the season! Kudos to you lass for your eminent predictive skills…..we all want to know….who wins?

Norfolklass - not sure if your last comment was aimed at Risca or not (I actually don't understand the connection) but let's try and keep it civil. More importantly, my funnest girlfriend ever was from Great Yarmouth and I just wanted to post that here. 

George Carlin wrote: More importantly, my funnest girlfriend ever was from Great Yarmouth and I just wanted to post that here. 

Ah the things those web-footed lasses can do.

LondonTiger wrote:

George Carlin wrote: More importantly, my funnest girlfriend ever was from Great Yarmouth and I just wanted to post that here. 

Ah the things those web-footed lasses can do.

they can show you the French flipper trick

Nematode wrote:Do any Welsh fans/anyone know if Eli Walker is fit? If he is then Gatland should be putting him in the team by next-day, sign-on-delivery post instead of Cuthbert.

Why instead of Cuthbert? Neither wing has been great and whilst Cuthbert worries sometimes in defence I do feel he backs himself more when he has the chance.

Why did North kick ahead on Sunday he should have backed himself rather than the kick and chase.

Cuthbert scores one game in every two and I don't think that he can possibly be left out. He never looks particularly comfortable backpedalling, but Walker has to be regarded as much more of an unknown quantity. Besides, Walker won't get round Max Evans with speed, whereas most Scotland fans are worried Cuthbert will just run straight over him.

GC,

Whilst North has grabbed all the headlines and rightly so for some of his tries Cuthbert is a natural poacher and has that poaching instinct.

That said having Walker or Dirksen in the squad is no bad thing when both fit as they do add that something different to our big two options.

I think Max Evans is solid but unspectacular. He's a bit Laidlaw-esque within the 22 as well - might throw a cheeky chip or similar to score by himself, something you don't get from Lamont. What you do get from Lamont that you don't get from Evans, though, is breaking the gain line across the park and recycling the ball. Give and take.

Anyway, it's nice to see Welsh brethren here on this match thread, I was worried for a while the Scots would eat up another one yet again!

What you welsh are forgetting is that you are playing Scotland, who have a reputation of helping a struggling team get back on their feet with a victory (e.g. France last year, Italy in many 6Ns, a struggling England with a green Owen Farrell 2 years ago, first match of 6N).

Everything that was a problem against England you have to realise will be less of a problem against Scotland - breakdown, back kicks, penalty count - and plus you are at home so I think you will cruise in general but maybe not on the scoreline. You do have an opportunity to really pull away and end the 6N on a high though.

Although Norfolklass and ASBO are both above me in the prediction game, I have been particularly good at calling Scotland's matches (Thrashed by Ire & Eng, France by a few, Scotland by 1 against Italy in the dying moments) I'm predicting Wales by 10-15, although by 20-30 is definitely on the radar. Scotland just don't have enough. You saw it here first.

Having said that, let's go out there and have a laugh! I'll be supporting Scotland in a way belying my expectations anyway. As usual.

Watch our for us next 6N though with a proper coach thus proper forwards, at home and with hopefully less injuries in the backs

Scotland tend to finish the 6N with a whimper, so not expecting much from us.

We usually start badly too, and the middle isn't overly positive, so all and all we're not very good..

Can the travelling Scotland fans do me a favour and sing a song each time SJ appears on the big screen please?

Goes like this

"Na na na naaaaaa,
Na na na naaaaaa,
Hey hey heyyyyyy,
Goodbye............"

If the Welsh feel like joining in, feel free

RDW_Scotland wrote:Scotland tend to finish the 6N with a whimper, so not expecting much from us.

We usually start badly too, and the middle isn't overly positive, so all and all we're not very good..

  

No tiger, it should be the Scotland version of Delilah

"Why, Why, whhhhhyyyyy Scott Johnson..."

Nematode wrote:No tiger, it should be the Scotland version of Delilah

"Why, Why, whhhhhyyyyy Scott Johnson..."

Yes, amazing! Please get the whole stadium singing this!

He stood there laughing
I felt the Scissors in my hand and he laughed no more
My, my, my, Scott Johnson
Why, why, why, Scott Johnson
Bye, bye, bye, Your mullet
Cry, cry, cry goes Johnson
So before they come to ref the breakdown on the floor
Forgive me Scott Johnson I just couldn't take your mullet any more
Forgive me Scott JohnsonI just couldn't take your mullet any more

 

WALES TEAM TO PLAY SCOTLAND:

Liam Williams (Scarlets), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), Jonathan Davies (Scarlets), Jamie Roberts (Racing Metro), George North (Northampton Saints), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Mike Phillips (Racing Metro), Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Rhodri Jones (Scarlets), Luke Charteris (Perpignan), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Dan Lydiate (Racing Metro), Sam Warburton (CAPT – Cardiff Blues), Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons).

Replacements: Richard Hibbard (Ospreys), Paul James (Bath Rugby), Adam Jones (Ospreys), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Rhodri Williams (Scarlets), Rhys Priestland (Scarlets), James Hook (Perpignan).

Adam Jones on the bench yet Gethin (yellow fever) Jenkins is given another go ahead of James?

What has James got to do?

oops  

That's some front row bench to bring on!

Scrumpy wrote:Adam Jones on the bench yet Gethin (yellow fever) Jenkins is given another go ahead of James?

What has James got to do?

oops  

I think Gethin was unfairly penalised on the weekedn by a poor ref. However I agree that Paul James should start. Can't believe he has benched Adam Jones for a player that struggles at scrum time.

Jake Ball very unlucky to be dropped. I would have benched Alun Wyn Jones and gone with Charteris and Ball.

I would also have dropped Lydiate for Tipuric.

Thank god Dan Biggar is playing. If I never see Priestland in a Welsh shirt again I will be a happy man.

Big test for our young centres against Roberts and JD2 - lets see how they get on.

How for the love of god has Jenkins survived and what does Paul James had to do to get a start. Rest of the side is no surprise but Jenkins there is shocking IMO.

I agree   

In a certain way it could be a smart move have publicly said Jenkins is being targeted refs maybe a bit wary then again may scrutinise him even more.

I just hope that he (Gatland) has the balls to change Jenkins if it's not going well.

doctornickolas wrote:

Scrumpy wrote:Adam Jones on the bench yet Gethin (yellow fever) Jenkins is given another go ahead of James?

What has James got to do?

oops  

I think Gethin was unfairly penalised on the weekedn by a poor ref. However I agree that Paul James should start. Can't believe he has benched Adam Jones for a player that struggles at scrum time.

Jake Ball very unlucky to be dropped. I would have benched Alun Wyn Jones and gone with Charteris and Ball.

I would also have dropped Lydiate for Tipuric.

Thank god Dan Biggar is playing. If I never see Priestland in a Welsh shirt again I will be a happy man.

Doc,

Why Tipuric for Lydiate? Lydiate is still a better 6 than Warburton and was again top tackler for us on weekend not missing one and thats his job, as for not seeing Priestland in Welsh shirt again I will be very very veryyyyyyyyyy surprised if he doesn't play some part on Saturday.

It seems refs are hinting that Jenkins isn't up to it and Gatland is insisting that he is.

A war of wills that only a ref ever wins.

SecretFly wrote:It seems refs are hinting that Jenkins isn't up to it and Gatland is insisting that he is.

A war of wills that only a ref ever wins.

What I was thinking.

Scotland should at least get 3pts on Saturday seeing as Gethin in playing!

  

gethen also getting the most caps by a Welsh player so perhaps gats being kind . i guess Webb is injured because i think he would have started . six changes quite a lot for gatland

If he's picked him for that reason then even more wrong as no place for sentiment - that said well done Gethin on the achievement.

Webb hasn't recovered would have been nice to see Rh Williams have a crack at 9 and will be good to see how Li Williams goes at XV given most recognise its his favoured position.

Rhodri Jones will get shown up against Grant

Cant believe no Samson Lee, i agree with above thinkg wyn jones should have been dropped also

Full Scotland team announced.
Squashed Goblin on one wing, first cap for Dougie Fife on the other.
And Cuthbert (jack) on the bench.

GLove39 wrote:Full Scotland team announced.
Squashed Goblin on one wing, first cap for Dougie Fife on the other.
And Cuthbert (jack) on the bench.

I have mixed emotions about Cuthbert. I think overall he deserves a chance, has played well at club level, against the same people he will be playing against on Saturday.

To be expected really. The cupboard is completely bare at the moment.

I would say some cheeky grubbers in behind Cuthbert and North for Evans and Fife to pounce on a la 2010.

They're certainly not going to run through them.

Tattie Scones RRN wrote:They're certainly not going to run through them.

  Why run through them? When you can run under them...

Great to see Fife in there, although he's not push on quite as much as I would hope afer a promising first few months in the season.

Where he is very good is the kick chase, both from kick offs and long punts.

Laidlaw starts at 9, again.
No 10 on the bench so we could end up with Hogg at stand-off if anything happens to Weir and Jack Cuthbert at full back. That would leave Taylor to cover centre and wings.
It doesn't fill me with confidence. Thankfully I've got a match on Saturday afternoon and will be getting battered and bloody. Which will make a very pleasant change from watching Scotland.

Flew back to Wales yesterday from Edinburgh. Great to see Scottish jerseys and kilts so early n the week. Hope its a great weekend for all no matter who wins.

Although the table doesn't look great for Scotland (or Wales), I think Scotland have some decent players coming through. In terms of coaching I think Johnson or Humpreys are anywhere near international quality. Neither did well I n Wales.

Anyway crazy selection by Gats - Adam jones on bench?

slartibartfast wrote:Flew back to Wales yesterday from Edinburgh. Great to see Scottish jerseys and kilts so early n the week. Hope its a great weekend for all no matter who wins.  

Although the table doesn't look great for Scotland (or Wales), I think Scotland have some decent players coming through. In terms of coaching I think Johnson or Humpreys are anywhere near international  quality. Neither did well I n Wales.

Anyway crazy selection by Gats - Adam jones on bench?

He has gone for bench impact - poor bench...

slartibartfast wrote:Flew back to Wales yesterday from Edinburgh. Great to see Scottish jerseys and kilts so early n the week. Hope its a great weekend for all no matter who wins.  

Although the table doesn't look great for Scotland (or Wales), I think Scotland have some decent players coming through. In terms of coaching I think Johnson or Humpreys are anywhere near international  quality. Neither did well I n Wales.

Anyway crazy selection by Gats - Adam jones on bench?

Especially for a rookie converted L/head when Samson Lee is in main squad.

Although the table doesn't look great for Scotland (or Wales), ..........................

I must say I dislike talk of "the table" during the 6N. It's such a short competition with each team playing just 5 games home or away that the table is meaningless. It just gives bullets for the WUMs to fire. All that matters is who wins, the Triple Crown, a Grand Slam and possibly the runner up (if a close second).

Delighted for Fife - he really deserves his first cap and I think will surprise people. Genuine pace and good hands. Should also mention that a few years ago, if Scotland had lost its 4 first choice wingers, then we would have been reduced to capping my Uncle Dougie or dragging Chris Paterson out of the commentary box. Not unhappy with Fife and SG at all, all told.

Pretty surprising selection by Gats. You can bet your backside that Rhodri Jones is going to be targeted by Ryan Grant whilst his nemesis sits on the bench. I also agree that dropping Ball sends quite a poor message - he played really well and deserved to start.

Wales should have too much at home, but I think that the midfield battle is going to be very, very close. Scotland's pair are at least 16 stones each and won't give much quarter.

I read that before the England match, Lydiate was top of the 6N tackle count with 40 made, none missed so I would have thought it was a no brainer that Gats was going to keep him.

Scotland have got pretty decent impact off the bench front row wise too - Euan Murray and Ross Ford are top scrummagers (when he remembers to hook) and Dickinson has shown he is a perfectly capable international loosehead.

bedfordwelsh wrote:

slartibartfast wrote:Flew back to Wales yesterday from Edinburgh. Great to see Scottish jerseys and kilts so early n the week. Hope its a great weekend for all no matter who wins.  

Although the table doesn't look great for Scotland (or Wales), I think Scotland have some decent players coming through. In terms of coaching I think Johnson or Humpreys are anywhere near international  quality. Neither did well I n Wales.

Anyway crazy selection by Gats - Adam jones on bench?

Especially for a rookie converted L/head when Samson Lee is in main squad.

x2

GavinDragon wrote:

bedfordwelsh wrote:

slartibartfast wrote:Flew back to Wales yesterday from Edinburgh. Great to see Scottish jerseys and kilts so early n the week. Hope its a great weekend for all no matter who wins.  

Although the table doesn't look great for Scotland (or Wales), I think Scotland have some decent players coming through. In terms of coaching I think Johnson or Humpreys are anywhere near international  quality. Neither did well I n Wales.

Anyway crazy selection by Gats - Adam jones on bench?

Especially for a rookie converted L/head when Samson Lee is in main squad.

x2

A really big shock, Adam has not been great this season by Rhodri has struggled in the scrum every time he has come on and connot get a game for his club at tighthead as he is probably 4th choice!

Tough on Jake Ball but Wales need Charteris for the lineout, not really suprisded at Owen starting, Hibbard has not been at his best and Owen made a big difference when he came on on Sunday.

I assume Wales plan to play a looser game, (certainly will want to avoid scrums) so a big game for Biggar, whlist Priestand was poor on Sunday, Biggar's distribution was woeful when he came on, he really seemed to be struggling with the pressure England were appying.

Biggar should never have lost the jersey IMO he did nothing to lose it last season and Priestland sure as hell didnt earn his place back in the side