Wales v Scotland, 15 March

First topic message reminder :

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)

Gatland did Jones a favour.

He knows Grant has more reason than most to prove a point and you've got to keep the marshmallow going for another 15 months.

tigertattie wrote:It's been some time since we beat the sheep worriers.  I'm not going to predict any scorelines until the teams are announced!

Is that a Scot calling us sheep worriers. What is the world coming to  

Will be pleased and a bit surprised if Rhodri Jones can hold his own in the scrums. It's a calculated gamble, he contributes so much around the park, if he could do enough in the scrums to hold his own, you'd gain overall. He's done sort of okay-ish at TH when he's come on as a sub, but that's very different from starting.

With Jake Ball, once Charteris is available, Ball is inevitably competing with AWJ, and no way is Gatland dropping AWJ. Very hard on JB.

I can't get very excited with a Phillips/Biggar half-back pairing.

That is one hell of a bench in the forwards, for Wales.

BlueNote wrote:Will be pleased and a bit surprised if Rhodri Jones can hold his own in the scrums.  It's a calculated gamble, he contributes so much around the park, if he could do enough in the scrums to hold his own, you'd gain overall.  He's done sort of okay-ish at TH when he's come on as a sub, but that's very different from starting.

With Jake Ball, once Charteris is available, Ball is inevitably competing with AWJ, and no way is Gatland dropping AWJ.  Very hard on JB.

I can't get very excited with a Phillips/Biggar half-back pairing.

True Blue. I'd have been more worried with Hook starting at 10 but then again everyone in Wales and Scotland knows that Hook is a phenomenal talent.

dragonbreath wrote:

tigertattie wrote:It's been some time since we beat the sheep worriers.  I'm not going to predict any scorelines until the teams are announced!

Is that a Scot calling us sheep worriers. What is the world coming to  

  

GavinDragon wrote: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

Rhodri Jones would be shown up against my 9 year old daughter.

There is a good chance we will be butchered in the scrum. Gats' obsession with playing a 3/4th choice loose head on the tighthead is beyond the limitations of my understanding. If the Scarlets do not think he is up to the Rabo for God's sake then how can he be possibly good enough at this level

  

George Carlin wrote: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.

Danny is now apparently 52 made, none missed. I actually thought he did ok v England, actually carrying a little bit too.

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

Which ref is Garces? Has he done any games this championship? Is he anything liek Poite in that he is the polar opposite to Chris Pollock i.e. takes a laissez faire approach to refereeing?

As noted above, the contest between Phillips and Laidlaw as to who has the slowest service is going to be gripping!

Congratulations to Dougie Fife - he's had a really good season on the right wing. I'm sure he's delighted that his debut is at the Millenium opposite George North!

Anyway, not good enough Welsh team for me. More than happy to see the sheriff start, but Gethin and Jones shouldn't be starting (form wise it has to be James and Lee). AWJ should be the lock to miss out and I don't see the point in Phillips starting really.

Thats what I said  

GavinDragon wrote: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

Biggar will do fine as long as his pack generate some go forward, because he really struggles when his pack is put under pressure (something he does not get . I would have picked him on Saturday because Priestland must still be suffering from being targeted by the dominant England attack on Saturday and he is a more reliable kicker than Priestland.

Wales could have Dan Carter at 10 but if they get beatten up front like they did against Ireland and England he would also struggle, so its the changes upfront that will dictate who will win on Saturday.

RDW_Scotland wrote:Referee: Jérôme Garces (FFR)   
First Assistant: Chris Pollock (NZR)   
Second Assistant: Greg Garner (RFU)

Which ref is Garces? Has he done any games this championship? Is he anything liek Poite in that he is the polar opposite to Chris Pollock i.e. takes a laissez faire approach to refereeing?

did the Scotland England game earlier this season.

Thats the best back line Gatland has named all tournament... should be too much for the Scots. Pretty confused about why they drop two thirds of the front row and they guy whose had two yellow cards in two games stays on.

LondonTiger wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:Referee: Jérôme Garces (FFR)   
First Assistant: Chris Pollock (NZR)   
Second Assistant: Greg Garner (RFU)

Which ref is Garces? Has he done any games this championship? Is he anything liek Poite in that he is the polar opposite to Chris Pollock i.e. takes a laissez faire approach to refereeing?

did the Scotland England game earlier this season.

Funnily enough alcohol has obliterated the memory of that game from my mind.   

I cannot remember him at all from that game RDW. Usually a good sign.

Scotland were just so uncompetitive that he didn't really have to do much refereeing!

RDW_Scotland wrote:Scotland were just so uncompetitive that he didn't really have to do much refereeing!

If it was a boxing match, he would have stopped the fight...   

I think he did Ireland/England last season. So a good luck charm for us I guess.

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.

Officially the laughing stock of the rugby world - he barely made Bath's A team

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:

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.

Officially the laughing stock of the rugby world - he barely made Bath's A team

I have had to take back a lot of my comments about Jock Cuthbert. He's been excellent for Edinburgh since he arrived.

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:

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.

Officially the laughing stock of the rugby world - he barely made Bath's A team

That's a tad harsh. Even though I was an early sceptic, Jack Cuthbert had a good early career keeping (a mostly fit) Nick Abendanon out of the Bath's first team. He may not be all singing and all dancing fullback like Hoggy, but after watching him recently he's not playing badly at all. Monsterous high balls, good dummy, a ridiculously long-armed hand-off (check Beard's try vs Ospreys) and strong under the high ball. I'd say he's a good asset to the Edinburgh team at the moment - and I was admittedly worried when Tonks got injured (at the time i was having nightmares about Lee Jones at fullback). As for international standards... JC still has to prove himself.

And Max Evans looked sharp last week so I think he merits his place.
Fife has been knocking on the door for a while and I'm chuffed to bits for him.

Here's to a strong performance     

If only we'd picked a proper back row   

Can't help but agree. I think nobody really sees Brown as a 7. And probably never will. Can't wait for Rennie to get his mojo back. Sounds like Andy Robinson is good for Rennie though (5 tries in first 5 appearances for Bristol). As for Wilson at 6... It simply hurts my brain.

England's attack didn't target RP it was their defence hence Lawes getting motm and RP getting hooked.

England knew RP stands flat so rushed him.

RW had a shocker - obviously nerves.

My preference would be to pick the strongest pack and go up the middle all day.

Bring back Warrenball!!! All is forgiven

If you try and Warrenball Scotland all day then you may find you dont get very far.

Our 10/12/13 is one of the best midfield defences we've had in a good 10-15 years. Even wee duncy is prop like in his tackling   

A Simply Mesmeric Try wrote:Can't help but agree. I think nobody really sees Brown as a 7. And probably never will. Can't wait for Rennie to get his mojo back. Sounds like Andy Robinson is good for Rennie though (5 tries in first 5 appearances for Bristol). As for Wilson at 6... It simply hurts my brain.

It's already back. He should be in the team. Either him or Barclay.

Tigartattie, it's a deal. We'll bosh all day and you tackle - watch you don't miss one though!

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:

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.

Officially the laughing stock of the rugby world - he barely made Bath's A team

Pretty ignorant comment ASBO, anyone that's been watching Edinburgh this year knows he was been on good form, and is a completely different player from the one that made his Scotland début a few years ago. Ryan Grant barely made the Edinburgh team when he was younger but now he's a Lion (not that I'm saying Cuthbert is ever going to be a Lion!   ).

He's no where near the same league as Hogg attacking wise but is a good defensive fullback that is ideal for playing teams that favour a kicking game.

A year ago I never thought I'd be saying this about him though...!

Aye, fair play to Jack, he's come on leaps and bounds under Solomons.

As a fullback he is what I would call Hugo-esque - Not the most frightening attacker but decent in defence!

What happened to the vicious rumour that Lee Jones was possibly starting over Dougie Fife? Did even Scott Johnson think this was a selection blunder too far?

tigertattie wrote:If you try and Warrenball Scotland all day then you may find you dont get very far.

Our 10/12/13 is one of the best midfield defences we've had in a good 10-15 years. Even wee duncy is prop like in his tackling   

prop like in his passing as well! I can see this game being quite close; two teams in poor form.

tigertattie wrote:What happened to the vicious rumour that Lee Jones was possibly starting over Dougie Fife? Did even Scott Johnson think this was a selection blunder too far?

This is probably the biggest issue with Fife - he's been chosen to play by Scott Johnson. I've always rated him and was pretty happy for him to play for Scotland, but now that Scott Johnson has picked him I'm not so sure.

RDW_Scotland wrote:

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:

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.

Officially the laughing stock of the rugby world - he barely made Bath's A team

Pretty ignorant comment ASBO, anyone that's been watching Edinburgh this year knows he was been on good form, and is a completely different player from the one that made his Scotland début a few years ago. Ryan Grant barely made the Edinburgh team when he was younger but now he's a Lion (not that I'm saying Cuthbert is ever going to be a Lion!   ).

He's no where near the same league as Hogg attacking wise but is a good defensive fullback that is ideal for playing teams that favour a kicking game.

A year ago I never thought I'd be saying this about him though...!

Don't be too harsh on ASBO, he'll be distracted by his dream of independence evaporating with every passing day.....

There's no question Jack Cuthbert has surprised a few of us this season in Edinburgh colours. He isn't quick and he is no great footballer, but when it comes to the high ball, hoofing the ball high in the sky and running the ball back hard, he's done quite well. I personally don't think he's an international calibre player, however we are missing a few back three players to get to this point: Maitland, Visser, Murchie, Seymour, Tonks and Brown to be precise. That we're missing that many back three options and still have a player on good club form filling the void is a lot better than we've had in the past.

Tattie Scones RRN wrote:

A Simply Mesmeric Try wrote:Can't help but agree. I think nobody really sees Brown as a 7. And probably never will. Can't wait for Rennie to get his mojo back. Sounds like Andy Robinson is good for Rennie though (5 tries in first 5 appearances for Bristol). As for Wilson at 6... It simply hurts my brain.

It's already back. He should be in the team. Either him or Barclay.

I know what you mean TattieScones, but I have to disagree (slightly). Rennie playing well for Bristol, isn't exactly the same as the top leagues, HCup or international experience. RR has been through a hell of a lot personally in recent times so I'm happy for him to take his time getting his head in the right place. Because on his day, he's jawdroppingly amazing.

I think SJ was right to drop Barclay because before he was getting into the squad because he's a 7, and not because he was the on form 7. Hopefully that amazing intercept try the other week is a sign of rising form for him. I haven't really seen him play much recently so it's hard to comment.

But for the love of balanced back-rows, why have capt Kelly at 7? Surely if Chris Fusaro played these games, he'll develop into a better player, as this is how players learn at the top stage... but nope, SJ knows best.
Was it wrong with this?
6: Brown/Strokker
7: Fusaro
8: Denton

We've been saying it all tournament, and SJ's failure to get the right balance in the back row is to me his biggest failure as interim coach. He's really messed that up.

Still, I'm pleased to see Strokosch on the bench. The Welsh have an outstanding group of impact forwards on their bench, so we'll need some cavalry of our own, and Strokosch will want to prove a point regarding his non-selection at the hands of the mighty Ryan Wilson, particularly after his outstanding series of performances at 6 last summer.

funnyExiledScot wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:

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.

Officially the laughing stock of the rugby world - he barely made Bath's A team

Pretty ignorant comment ASBO, anyone that's been watching Edinburgh this year knows he was been on good form, and is a completely different player from the one that made his Scotland début a few years ago. Ryan Grant barely made the Edinburgh team when he was younger but now he's a Lion (not that I'm saying Cuthbert is ever going to be a Lion!   ).

He's no where near the same league as Hogg attacking wise but is a good defensive fullback that is ideal for playing teams that favour a kicking game.

A year ago I never thought I'd be saying this about him though...!

Don't be too harsh on ASBO, he'll be distracted by his dream of independence evaporating with every passing day.....

There's no question Jack Cuthbert has surprised a few of us this season in Edinburgh colours. He isn't quick and he is no great footballer, but when it comes to the high ball, hoofing the ball high in the sky and running the ball back hard, he's done quite well. I personally don't think he's an international calibre player, however we are missing a few back three players to get to this point: Maitland, Visser, Murchie, Seymour, Tonks and Brown to be precise. That we're missing that many back three options and still have a player on good club form filling the void is a lot better than we've had in the past.

Ha, ha - hmm the latest Survation poll of 39%/48% with 13% undecided would seem to indicate otherwise!

RDW, sorry to have offended your delicate sensibilities - his current form relative to his previous might be 'good', but even fES can admit that he's simply not an international calibre player - can you name any other NH team for which he'd be capped?

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:

funnyExiledScot wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:

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.

Officially the laughing stock of the rugby world - he barely made Bath's A team

Pretty ignorant comment ASBO, anyone that's been watching Edinburgh this year knows he was been on good form, and is a completely different player from the one that made his Scotland début a few years ago. Ryan Grant barely made the Edinburgh team when he was younger but now he's a Lion (not that I'm saying Cuthbert is ever going to be a Lion!   ).

He's no where near the same league as Hogg attacking wise but is a good defensive fullback that is ideal for playing teams that favour a kicking game.

A year ago I never thought I'd be saying this about him though...!

Don't be too harsh on ASBO, he'll be distracted by his dream of independence evaporating with every passing day.....

There's no question Jack Cuthbert has surprised a few of us this season in Edinburgh colours. He isn't quick and he is no great footballer, but when it comes to the high ball, hoofing the ball high in the sky and running the ball back hard, he's done quite well. I personally don't think he's an international calibre player, however we are missing a few back three players to get to this point: Maitland, Visser, Murchie, Seymour, Tonks and Brown to be precise. That we're missing that many back three options and still have a player on good club form filling the void is a lot better than we've had in the past.

Ha, ha - hmm the latest Survation poll of 39%/48% with 13% undecided would seem to indicate otherwise!

RDW, sorry to have offended your delicate sensibilities - his current form relative to his previous might be 'good', but even fES can admit that he's simply not an international calibre player - can you name any other NH team for which he'd be capped?

Portugal.

well said gavindragon. the welsh press and media have been totally unsupportive when it came to shouting the odds about biggar losing the shirt. they wanted hook back

.if you notice every programme , article, in wales pushes hook forward. they are romancing a 10 style that, wrongly or rightly , has long gone. allied to that the fact that hook hasn't played 10 at club level regularly.

not enough has been said in the media about the welsh managements total mis -management
of rhys priestland . they have stuck with him when he has openly said his kicking game is the weakest part of his game.they have asked him to carry out a game plan that needs such accuracy that he cannot deliver.

although we can talk about the front 5 in the irish and English games, post match we have heard that it wasn't the game plan at fault, it was the fact that in both games the plan wasn't even implemented.

yes you cant blame one player, but the 10 has a major role in the implementation of the game plan. whatever way , the 10 has to adapt and TRY SOMETHING. and that's where the management have been found wanting in their management of rp, and to an extent hook when he was a 10.

biggar has also been mis -managed, after a successful 6ns, dropped. lets look further than the players , we need a top down change.

Gatland what are you doing?
He drops the best forward who played last week with Jake Ball tot he bench and then brings in a prop who struggles at scrum time.
I'm glad Gethin is still in i don't care what anybody says he is our best option.
Scotland don't have a dominant scrum but i do think they have the edge now, I just hope Gethin can do a job on Geoff because Rhodri could struggle vs Grant. I just don't see the sense.
Would have rathered Rhodri started instead of Mike but am glad to see Dan start at 10

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:Ha, ha - hmm the latest Survation poll of 39%/48% with 13% undecided would seem to indicate otherwise!

I take it all back. You must be very encouraged.....

Looking at the team Gatland has named, I'm considerably less confident for this fixture than I thought I'd be. And those few changes that I do agree with should have been made two or three games ago  

Can't help but feel increasingly that Gats has a hopelessly warped view of the areas that need to be addressed. Why else would Jenkins be retained, Paul James overlooked (again) and Jones and Ball dropped? Rhodri Jones??   

It seems it takes about 2 or 3 displays of shoddy kicking out of hand to get Priestland demoted for one game. If ever there was a time to feel sorry for Biggar it's now.

At least Liam Williams gets to play in his natural position. Might offer something different on this rare occasion of having to make do without Halfpenny.

Some of the comments above are interesting. I don't think that either team could confidently claim dominance in the scrum. France were supposed to destroy our scrum last week. It didn't happen once from what I saw.

Ryan Grant was the only Scot in Jiffy's Team of the Round on the BBC last week. That's for a reason and anyone who has watched Grant and Adam face off over the seasons will know it's going to be a scrap. I also think that Geoff Cross is one of the most underrated scrummagers around.

So it should be good.

Looking at the teams in terms of units;
Front row I think Scotland have the edge here, they stood up to the French and can actually scrum. The bench also ,slightly, favours us IF the Rev is in Mr Angry mode and Ford decides to try this hooking and throwing malarkey. Scotland
Second Row Ball should have been starting, which must weaken your engine room. Again, the big IF...If Hamilton can keep the penalties down we can be on top here.Scotland
Back rows Wales actually have a back row; three players who complement each other as a unit and Tips who is arguably the best waiting to come on. Scotland have Rab C's idea of a version of a mock up of a structure put together specifically to take on the French who play "above the ground". So it'll work against the best jackalling team in the 6N, will it? Will it fecc?Wales by a mile
Half backs Which of the four is having the worst tournament? Scotland don't even have a back up 10 in the 23. At least Wales have Hook who is the future of stand off play in the Principality. Oh wait that was ten years ago.Whoever actually turns up
Centres I think it'll all come down to Dr Roberts. If Scott and Wilson/Brown can stop him on the gainline and stop quick recycling then Scotland can stay in the game. JD2 and Dunbar should be worth watching: two very good 13's with a lot of skill. If Scott gets enough ball he is more creative than Roberts and that could be a weakness for Wales. However your back row will be on his shoulder all day long. Wales, just
Back three No point even trying to compare them Wales, Wales and then Wales
Wales' clear advantages in the back row (i.e. they have one) and back three should see them home.

Jimbopip, you're saying the Scottish front row replacements are better than Adam Jones, Hibbard and Paul James? I see where you're coming from with the rest of it, but that is quite a statement.

I have no idea what to expect from this game. I can see Wales getting frustrated playing their limited game, making mistakes, as per all their performances so far this 6N(maybe apart from France), and Scotland getting a head of steam. However, Scotland have a strange habit of blowing this one late in the day even when they should win.

Scotland has conceded 51 penalties to date, Wales not a lot better on 47. Halfpenny missing might come into play quite considerably. Scotland has already been reffed by Garces once already this tournament - we can't have any excuses that we don't understand his approach.

George Carlin wrote:Scotland has conceded 51 penalties to date, Wales not a lot better on 47. Halfpenny missing might come into play quite considerably. Scotland has already been reffed by Garces once already this tournament - we can't have any excuses that we don't understand his approach.

I suspect we were too busy hoisting up the white flag and having our arses handed to us on a platter to notice.

RDW_Scotland wrote:

George Carlin wrote:Scotland has conceded 51 penalties to date, Wales not a lot better on 47. Halfpenny missing might come into play quite considerably. Scotland has already been reffed by Garces once already this tournament - we can't have any excuses that we don't understand his approach.

I suspect we were too busy hoisting up the white flag and having our arses handed to us on a platter to notice.

but were we only playing above the ground that day?

Our inablity to compete leaglly at the breakdown has been our achilles heel ( or at least one of about 5 of them!) under Rab C's tenure. Without a 7 we will pinged all day at contact, allowing Wales, (even without 0.5P) to build a comfortabe lead.
God forbid  wee Duncie were to pick up an injury. If that happened Hogg steps up to 10 and the dependable but woefully slow Jack Cuthbert comes on to try to back up debutant Dougie Fyffe who has the not small task of marshalling George North!
All you then need is for Scott Lawson to go off to be replaced by Ross Ford and all bets would be off regarding the size of our defeat.
I am just finally relieved that we have reached the end of the yellow Pi*h stained road that is Scott Johnson's reign.
He has somehow managed to make Matt Williams look like a half decent coach, well almost!

The biggest concern for me at the breakdown is that we seem to give away most penalties when we have the ball...!