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)

Very excited to see Scott and Dunbar face the Lions centres, been good defensively and have shown glimpses of ability going forward.

Read we asked for the roof to be closed, seems a ballsy call because the atmosphere in Cardiff with the roof closed is insane.

I'd love for Max Evans to do something, just once deliver on his potential to beat a man and get through the defence.  Just stays out on his wing too much, rarely seems to come looking for the ball.

What can you do to give a penalty away when you have the ball at the breakdown?

Sealing off
Going over off your feet
In from the side
Not releasing the ball

Other than punching/kicking/fish-hooking/etc thats it is it not?

Surely to goodness that's something we can remedy???

[quote="BlueNote"]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.

Bluenote there was a very big IF in the middle of my prognostication; Ross Ford gets around the field more and is potentially better than "the fat kid" (what a stupid thing to call him) , Murray, when in the mood can destroy any opposition
and Dickinson has come on in leaps and bounds under the new laws. However you're probably right.   

tigertattie wrote:What can you do to give a penalty away when you have the ball at the breakdown?

Sealing off
Going over off your feet
In from the side
Not releasing the ball

Other than punching/kicking/fish-hooking/etc thats it is it not?

Surely to goodness that's something we can remedy???

You can always remedy penalty give-aways.  That's easy.  But it's never so simple to do because some teams find that it's almost imperative that they give away certain penaltes in order to keep the opposition from scoring tries or, more specifically at the breakdown, to prevent a good breakdown team from gaining possession and advantages off it.

If you use 'disciplin' and stop giving away penalties then that's not the wolf away from your doorstep (in the guise of a ref and his whistle). It's just that the wolf is now the opposition team gaining possession and ground from excellent breakdown work against you.

So giving away penalties or not at the breakdown isn't a clear cut choice between being legal and illegal.  Often the penalty giving is coached to slow down the enemy.

but you cut out these penalties and still keep the ball (most of the time)

Sealing off - Dont do it. Make sure you bridge correctly
Going over off your feet - Dont do it. Stay on your feet (not so hard when your own team mates plow through you, granted)
In from the side - Don't do it, retreat that metre more and come in from the back foot
Not releasing the ball - Dont do it, make sure you dont get isolated (granted this is more for your team mates not to leave you)

Yes its all easier said than done. Yes there are times where you'd want to hold onto the ball rather than let North turn it over and run it back at you, but a reduction in these offences would help our cause)

An excellent point Secret, I think the French were very canny in the penalties they gave away last week.
Whereas we were   

Jimbopip, I haven't really been following things, but have the impression Murray isn't the force he was a few years ago?

if (I said IF) we beat wales, will the press write stories about how poor they are and that they have no place in the 6 nations compitition?

tigertattie wrote:if (I said IF) we beat wales, will the press write stories about how poor they are and that they have no place in the 6 nations compitition?

No they will write stories about how lucky we are, and don't deserve to be in the competition!

tigertattie wrote:if (I said IF) we beat wales, will the press write stories about how poor they are and that they have no place in the 6 nations compitition?

Ouch!

But go easy on the Welsh in that regard. It wasn't them suggesting it as we're all too aware who did

tigertattie wrote:if (I said IF) we beat wales, will the press write stories about how poor they are and that they have no place in the 6 nations compitition?

Probably  

tigertattie wrote:if (I said IF) we beat wales, will the press write stories about how poor they are and that they have no place in the 6 nations compitition?

You got the first bit right. Every time we win a match the press invariably focus on how poor the opposition are, and they certainly won't be singing our praises regardless.

Still, difficult to see Wales losing this game at home. I just hope we continue scoring tries and looking dangerous with ball in hand. Not long ago we could go a whole tournament without scoring a try.

funnyExiledScot wrote: Not long ago we could go a whole tournament without scoring a try.

A genuine fear for me after the first two games!

Other than a win, I see this as a bare minimum:

• Be competitive
  
• Score a try
  
• Have a chance of winning with 20 minutes remaining
  

Bluenote, I tend to the opinion that the Rev Murray has slightly lost his way and is not the force he once was. Personally I would rather have John "Angela" Welsh in the squad, but His Rabidness clearly feels that a fit and on form Murray is a viable option. He's probably correct but I can't remember the last time Murray was both of those things together in a Scotland jersey. Maybe Saturday will be the day!

I have 3 packets of steak riding on this game.

Come on Scotland

Anyone know whether this sunshine will last for the game?Would dearly love to see some razzle dazzle.Four tries apiece with Biggar slotting the winning conversion with the last kick of the match.
Probably a 6:6 borefest!

Taffineastbourne wrote:Anyone know whether this sunshine will last for the game?Would dearly love to see some razzle dazzle.Four tries apiece with Biggar slotting the winning conversion with the last kick of the match.
Probably a 6:6 borefest!

You clearly haven't seen Duncan "razzle dazzle" Weir in action yet have you?

I think the roof's going to be shut too

nickj wrote:I think the roof's going to be shut too

Must mean that rain is forecast  

funnyExiledScot wrote:

Taffineastbourne wrote:Anyone know whether this sunshine will last for the game?Would dearly love to see some razzle dazzle.Four tries apiece with Biggar slotting the winning conversion with the last kick of the match.
Probably a 6:6 borefest!

You clearly haven't seen Duncan "razzle dazzle" Weir in action yet have you?

Still waiting and hoping!  

SJ wanted the roof shut earlier so I doubt it's due to any forecast.

Hope to see Denton actually making yards and offloading and Gray not flopping down like a felled tree.

funnyExiledScot wrote:

Taffineastbourne wrote:Anyone know whether this sunshine will last for the game?Would dearly love to see some razzle dazzle.Four tries apiece with Biggar slotting the winning conversion with the last kick of the match.
Probably a 6:6 borefest!

You clearly haven't seen Duncan "razzle dazzle" Weir in action yet have you?

More like Duncan "fizzle jizzle" Weir

Is it bad that whenever someone at my rugby training now throws an interception pass they are immediately christened Duncan? Wonder how long people will remember his interception pass..

RDW_Scotland wrote:Is it bad that whenever someone at my rugby training now throws an interception pass they are immediately christened Duncan? Wonder how long people will remember his interception pass..

Weir will remember it for about 70 years I reckon. 

RDW_Scotland wrote:Is it bad that whenever someone at my rugby training now throws an interception pass they are immediately christened Duncan? Wonder how long people will remember his interception pass..

Probably not as long as Gavin Hastings miss...

RDW_Scotland wrote:Is it bad that whenever someone at my rugby training now throws an interception pass they are immediately christened Duncan? Wonder how long people will remember his interception pass..

Ach he'll be ok. Just wait for the next utter idiot decision to take over the headlines!

Ronan O'Gara kick pass in the dying seconds anyone?

we forget eventually

(unless his name is Gavin Hastings and he is kicking a straightforward penalty to put us in the final of the 1991 Rugby World Cup)

tigertattie wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:Is it bad that whenever someone at my rugby training now throws an interception pass they are immediately christened Duncan? Wonder how long people will remember his interception pass..

Ach he'll be ok. Just wait for the next utter idiot decision to take over the headlines!

Ronan O'Gara kick pass in the dying seconds anyone?

we forget eventually

(unless his name is Gavin Hastings and he is kicking a straightforward penalty to put us in the final of the 1991 Rugby World Cup)

Yes, I was at that match,there was genuine disbelief when he missed that kick from right in front of the posts. Dan Parks would have been vilified if it was him who had missed it, in fact Weir is getting off lightly, Parks would have taken a lot more stick for the interception pass and the missed two on one in the earlier game if he had been playing and responsible for them.

I remember Kenny Logan missing a kick from right in front of the sticks against France in Paris in 1999, and Hastings had the cheek in commentary to say how annoyed he was with Kenny for missing it!! Annoyed were you Gavin!!

Worst individual error in the history of Scottish rugby goes to Gavin Hastings for THAT miss.

Worst general collective mess-up must be screwing up the drop goal opportunity at the last WC against Argentina (both scrum half and Parks at fault).

Lessor individual mess-ups would be Chris Cusiter (against Italy when we conceded 21 points in the opening few minutes), Dan Parks (the great Charlie Hodgson charge-down) and Duncan Weir (throwing the ball to Huget in the decisive moment against France at Murrayfield).

funnyExiledScot wrote:I remember Kenny Logan missing a kick from right in front of the sticks against France in Paris in 1999, and Hastings had the cheek in commentary to say how annoyed he was with Kenny for missing it!! Annoyed were you Gavin!!

Worst individual error in the history of Scottish rugby goes to Gavin Hastings for THAT miss.

Worst general collective mess-up must be screwing up the drop goal opportunity at the last WC against Argentina (both scrum half and Parks at fault).

Lessor individual mess-ups would be Chris Cusiter (against Italy when we conceded 21 points in the opening few minutes), Dan Parks (the great Charlie Hodgson charge-down) and Duncan Weir (throwing the ball to Huget in the decisive moment against France at Murrayfield).

We actually would have won a lot more games during the period Kenny Logan was kicking if he had been anything like as consistent as Chris Paterson.

GLove39 wrote:

RDW_Scotland wrote:Is it bad that whenever someone at my rugby training now throws an interception pass they are immediately christened Duncan? Wonder how long people will remember his interception pass..

Probably not as long as Gavin Hastings miss...

Ah jaysus. I went for an hour there without even thinking about it.  

slartibartfast wrote: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

He even tackled him with the ball a few times!

MacKnocked-on wrote:

funnyExiledScot wrote:I remember Kenny Logan missing a kick from right in front of the sticks against France in Paris in 1999, and Hastings had the cheek in commentary to say how annoyed he was with Kenny for missing it!! Annoyed were you Gavin!!

Worst individual error in the history of Scottish rugby goes to Gavin Hastings for THAT miss.

Worst general collective mess-up must be screwing up the drop goal opportunity at the last WC against Argentina (both scrum half and Parks at fault).

Lessor individual mess-ups would be Chris Cusiter (against Italy when we conceded 21 points in the opening few minutes), Dan Parks (the great Charlie Hodgson charge-down) and Duncan Weir (throwing the ball to Huget in the decisive moment against France at Murrayfield).

We actually would have won a lot more games during the period Kenny Logan was kicking if he had been anything like as consistent as Chris Paterson.

Well at least Logan was a scintillatingly rapid free scoring winger.....

funnyExiledScot wrote:

MacKnocked-on wrote:

funnyExiledScot wrote:I remember Kenny Logan missing a kick from right in front of the sticks against France in Paris in 1999, and Hastings had the cheek in commentary to say how annoyed he was with Kenny for missing it!! Annoyed were you Gavin!!

Worst individual error in the history of Scottish rugby goes to Gavin Hastings for THAT miss.

Worst general collective mess-up must be screwing up the drop goal opportunity at the last WC against Argentina (both scrum half and Parks at fault).

Lessor individual mess-ups would be Chris Cusiter (against Italy when we conceded 21 points in the opening few minutes), Dan Parks (the great Charlie Hodgson charge-down) and Duncan Weir (throwing the ball to Huget in the decisive moment against France at Murrayfield).

We actually would have won a lot more games during the period Kenny Logan was kicking if he had been anything like as consistent as Chris Paterson.

Well at least Logan was a scintillatingly rapid free scoring winger.....

He was like watching a slow motion replay in real time.

Saturday's game will be a contest of who can be the least shoite.   

One of the worst mis-matches I've seen on the wing was Philippe Bernat-Salles on the French right wing up against Kenny Logan. Think it was the game in 1998 at Murrayfield. I was sitting pitchside right where Logan was "defending". It was a complete embarrasment. I've never seen an international winger so badly exposed for pace.

As Jim Telfer, Scotland's chief coach, lamented after the game: "No doubt there will be criticism and calls for other players to come in but we don't have a magic wand. All our best players were out there today."

Sounds all too sadly familiar.....

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/rugby-union/26583132

Is this Lions for Lambs or is Moody right. It's a huge statement but perhaps one we have all considered.

Personally i think Scottish rugby has been ill served by the likes of Robinson and now Johnson off the pitch and poor quality backs on it.

There is talent, real talent in the Scots side and they are gutsy and physical, that isn't enough but its a start

Oh dear. I don't really regard a reasonably good loose forward with about 69 career concussions as much of a scholar on the game and criticising Scotland for having a poor structure isn't really news any more, Lewis.

But hey, Radio Wiltshire called and the Mad Dog answered. Reach for the stars, young man.

George the guy is a former recent England captain and world cup winner, i would say his opinion has credibility…..not sure a tasteless comment about his concussions is relevant is it?

It's a credible view from a good rugby player.
It just offers nothing new by way of insight or constructive comment. But then again, it's just another example of the Beeb spinning a headline out of a relatively anodyne set of comments.

This must be the best chance for Scotland to win at Cardiff since 2002, the Scots backs can catch the ball, their defence is much better than previous years and the Wales forwards seem rudderless with Warburton as captain. Scots chances would be much higher if Priestland was playing 10, why he is in the 22 is unbelievable, no doubt he will start for the first test against SA and the second test to fail to correct for his crap performance in the first test only then, Gatland will bring on Biggar for the last game.

I still think Wales will win against Scotland and if Wales get parity in the scrum it could be a convincing win.

It is a great chance for Scotland to win again. Remember when we were pretty gash and won at Murrayfield though? Not sure if it was last year or the game two years ago, but I think it was the latter when Dragons played on the same day (I think v Embra). I am really worried by tomorrow cos of our scrum and wouldn't be too surprised to get turned over. In the loose we will be fine (I think), but do expect Gethin and Rhodri to have a hard time and it may take Gatland to have some balls to make changes early (unlike last week).

I wouldn't worry chaps.
As well as forgetting to pick a proper backrow, it would seem Johnson has now forgotten which sport we're playing http://www.scotsman.com/webimage/1.3341442.1394845264!/image/749711002.jpg_gen/derivatives/articleImgDeriv_628px/749711002.jpg   

for the first time in a long time Im not down Cardiff at home game . moving my misses into her New house . only a woman would decide match day is the perfect day to move   

Duncan Weir only played rugby because he was supposed to be not playing football because of injury. He could have been a pro roundball player as well

Well,not long to go now.Really hope we have a cracker to finish off the 6N's.
Gawd knows why SJ would want the roof shut with the glorious sunshine.Crazy!

Good Afternoon folks!

I tell you what, if this was a singing contest, Wales would win it hands down. Sadly it's not, and although some cynical grumps are calling it a "dead rubber" match, let's hope it's a good one and both teams give it some welly.

Dere 'mlaen Cymru!!!

jimmyinthewell68 wrote:...only a woman would decide match day is the perfect day to move   

I was going to ask you what's it like being stuck in the '50s...?   ...but I'm too busy enjoying an impressive Scottish attack.

Tidy start Scotland, not really getting anywhere!

RDW_Scotland wrote:Tidy start Scotland, not really getting anywhere!

Wales aren't really getting anywhere at the moment either! Bit scrappy so far...

Is the pitch getting sorted in the summer or is it next year?