6N 2018: Wales v Scotland, 3 February

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WALES v SCOTLAND
3 February 2018
KO: 14:15 GMT
Principality Stadium, Cardiff

Live on [ITV, RTE, SC4, FR2, DMAX / BBC (H)]

Referee: Pascal Gaüzère (France)
Assistant 1: Romain Poite (France)
Assistant 2: Matthew Carley (England)
TMO: David Grashoff (England)

A. Head to Head

122 Played 122
70 Won 49
3 Drawn 3
49 Lost 70
1,624 Points 1,263

B. Recent Form

9 March 2013
Murrayfield, Edinburgh
18–28 to Wales

15 March 2014
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
51–3 to Wales

15 February 2015
Murrayfield, Edinburgh
23–26 to Wales

13 February 2016
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
27–23 to Wales

25 February 2017
Murrayfield, Edinburgh
29–13 to Scotland

C. Teams

WALES 

Leigh Halfpenny (Scarlets); Josh Adams (Worcester), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Hadleigh Parkes (Scarlets), Steff Evans (Scarlets); Rhys Patchell (Scarlets), Gareth Davies (Scarlets); Rob Evans (Scarlets), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Cory Hill (Dragons), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys, capt), Aaron Shingler (Scarlets), Josh Navidi (Cardiff Blues), Ross Moriarty (Gloucester).

Replacements: Elliot Dee (Dragons), Wyn Jones (Scarlets), Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs), Bradley Davies (Ospreys), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Aled Davies (Scarlets), Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues), Owen Watkin (Ospreys).

SCOTLAND

Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors); Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors), Chris Harris (Newcastle Falcons), Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors), Byron McGuigan (Sale Sharks); Finn Russell (Glasgow Warriors), Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors); Gordon Reid (London Irish), Stuart McInally (Edinburgh), Jon Welsh (Newcastle Falcons), Ben Toolis (Edinburgh), Jonny Gray, John Barclay (Scarlets, captain), Hamish Watson (Edinburgh), Cornell du Preez (Edinburgh).

Replacements: Scott Lawson (Newcastle Falcons), Jamie Bhatti (Glasgow Warriors), Murray McCallum (Edinburgh), Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh), Ryan Wilson (Glasgow Warriors), Greig Laidlaw (Clermont Auvergne), Pete Horne (Glasgow Warriors), Sean Maitland (Saracens).

beshocked wrote:I'd say this game is the pick of the first round matches.

Defensively Scotland will need to be at the top of their game as I think it's been far too easily breached in the last year.

Has all the potential to be a high scoring match though. Both Scarlets and Glasgow have been playing some exciting rugby.


I think Scotland have the better backline if Taylor or Dunbar are fit but it's up front I'd give the edge to Wales.


Have to say it's 60-40 to Wales - Wales record vs Scotland is good, they are at home. I like that Scotland have become a more exciting team to watch but need to work on their grittiness.


Scotland haven't shown an ability as of yet to win on the road except for vs Italy.

I think Scotland would send out a real message if they do win but it's a big if.

....in the 6N at least - we did beat a full strength Australia in the summer

I'm going for an expected 23 of:

1. Bhatti
2. McInally
3. Welsh
4. Toolis
5. Gray
6. Barcs
7. Watson
8. Du Preez

9. Price
10. Russell
11. Seymour
12. Dunbar
13. Jones
14. Maitland
15. Hogg

16. Lawson
17. Reid
18. McCallum
19. Gilchrist
20. Wilson
21. Laidlaw
22. Horne
23. Taylor

24. McGuigan

Harris, Reid and McGuigan start

Well well well!

Looks weak, etc

I am not sure that is a Scottish side that can beat Wales to be honest.

eirebilly wrote:I am not sure that is a Scottish side that can beat Wales to be honest.

Because none of them were born in Scotland? Or they can't win?

Obviously Dunbar and Taylor didn't make it back from their HIAs in time. Huge opp for Harris. I would have gone for Horne at 12, and kept Jones at 13, as would most I would imagine, but keen to see what Harris can do. What a lot of centres we seem to have...

Reid for Bhatti is cool with me. McGuigan starting ahead of Maits is ok too. But I would have expected them to keep Maits in for his defensive cover over the new centre pairing.

Pretty happy with that team. Wasn't sure on Harris after his debut in Nov, but Toonie rates him and I believe he's been doing well in the league.

Scottrf wrote:

eirebilly wrote:I am not sure that is a Scottish side that can beat Wales to be honest.

Because none of them were born in Scotland? Or they can't win?

Ouch.

Just does not strong enough to breakdown the Welsh I feel. At home I would have given Scotland more of a chance but away I think it will be a Wales win. Not by much though.

Head Coach Gregor Townsend has named six changes to the Scotland team that started against Australia in November for this Saturday’s NatWest 6 Nations opener against Wales at the Principality Stadium (3 February, kick-off 2.15pm) – live on BBC.

Glasgow Warriors full-back Stuart Hogg – a late withdrawal from November’s win over the Wallabies – and Newcastle Falcons centre Chris Harris [right] are the two changes to the back division (the latter making his first start), while Gordon Reid, Jon Welsh, Ben Toolis and Cornell du Preez come into the starting pack.

Props Welsh and Reid last featured for Scotland in 2015 and last year’s summer tour respectively, while du Preez and Toolis have been elevated from their replacement status in the Wallabies win.

Scotland Head Coach Gregor Townsend, said: “We’ve selected a squad that we believe can start the NatWest 6 Nations championship with the intensity and speed required to win in Cardiff.

“Last year’s championship highlighted that every game is a fierce competition and that all teams have to play at their very best to win away from home. Delivering that level of performance has been firmly in our thoughts during our preparations this week.



“We’re expecting a really physical game against a very good team. Wales have one of the best defences in the game and an attack that sees forwards passing much more and a structure that enables backs to get on ball.

“I’m sure it’ll be great occasion to kick off this year’s championship and we can’t wait to get started.”

An otherwise unchanged back line sees scrum-half Ali Price start his ninth Test in the past ten Scotland matches to partner stand-off Finn Russell at half-back.

Centre Huw Jones makes his first appearance for Scotland at inside-centre (where he made nine out of ten starts for Western Province in last year’s Currie Cup winning season), accommodating incoming outside-centre Harris.

Sale Sharks wing Byron McGuigan [right] retains his place alongside Tommy Seymour and Hogg after his late inclusion against Australia yielded two tries and a man-of-the-match award.

Hooker Stuart McInally starts in the front-row between Welsh and Reid, with captain John Barclay and Hamish Watson returning to partner du Preez in the back-row.

Other notable inclusions on the bench see 2017 British & Irish Loins tourist Greig Laidlaw back in Scotland colours for the first time since last year’s tournament, while replacement hooker Scott Lawson’s last involvement was in 2014.

At the opposite end of the experience spectrum Edinburgh Rugby prop Murray McCallum (21) could make his debut if called up from the bench.

Scotland team to play Wales at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff
NatWest 6 Nations Round 1: Saturday 2 February (kick-off 2.15pm) – live on BBC

15. Stuart Hogg VICE CAPTAIN (Glasgow Warriors) – 55 caps

14. Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors) – 39 caps
13. Chris Harris (Newcastle Falcons) – 1 cap
12. Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors) – 11 caps
11. Byron McGuigan (Sale Sharks) – 2 caps

10. Finn Russell (Glasgow Warriors) – 32 caps
9. Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors) – 11 caps

1. Gordon Reid (London Irish) – 27 caps
2. Stuart McInally (Edinburgh Rugby) – 12 caps
3. Jon Welsh (Newcastle Falcons) – 11 caps
4. Ben Toolis (Edinburgh Rugby) – 7 caps
5. Jonny Gray VICE CAPTAIN (Glasgow Warriors) – 38 caps
6. John Barclay CAPTAIN (Scarlets) – 66 caps
7. Hamish Watson (Edinburgh Rugby) – 15 caps
8. Cornell du Preez (Edinburgh Rugby) – 5 caps

Substitutes
16. Scott Lawson (Newcastle Falcons) – 46 caps
17. Jamie Bhatti (Glasgow Warriors) – 3 caps
18. Murray McCallum (Edinburgh Rugby) – uncapped
19. Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh Rugby) – 18 caps
20. Ryan Wilson (Glasgow Warriors) – 32 caps
21. Greig Laidlaw (ASM Clermont Auvergne) – 58 caps
22. Pete Horne (Glasgow Warriors) – 28 caps
23. Sean Maitland (Saracens) – 29 caps

RDW_Scotland wrote:

beshocked wrote:I'd say this game is the pick of the first round matches.

Defensively Scotland will need to be at the top of their game as I think it's been far too easily breached in the last year.

Has all the potential to be a high scoring match though. Both Scarlets and Glasgow have been playing some exciting rugby.


I think Scotland have the better backline if Taylor or Dunbar are fit but it's up front I'd give the edge to Wales.


Have to say it's 60-40 to Wales - Wales record vs Scotland is good, they are at home. I like that Scotland have become a more exciting team to watch but need to work on their grittiness.


Scotland haven't shown an ability as of yet to win on the road except for vs Italy.

I think Scotland would send out a real message if they do win but it's a big if.

....in the 6N at least - we did beat a full strength Australia in the summer

Fair point - you are right I forgot about that win vs Australia but aside from that it's still not been great.

After looking at the Scotland team - I've changed my mind I think 70-30 to Wales.

Centre partnership looks vulnerable and think the bench lacks impact.

Maitland for me should either be a starter or not in the 23. Ditto Laidlaw.

Maitland is the sort of defensive winger you need in a backline which is lacking defensively but I don't see him as being able to change a game off the bench.

If you watched Maitland's defensive work in last year's 6 nations...


No Taylor or Dunbar is a big loss for Scotland - I know it's been mentioned but they are needed IMO.

Interesting to see Jones at 12. He doesn't have the hands of Pete Horne, but played a lot at 12 for Western Province. He doesn't strike me as a natural in that position though - I expect to see Hogg come in a lot at second receiver and take some pressure of Russell as a second playmaker.

I thought they would start with Bhatti, so that there would be some balance of experience in the front row. Having Bhatti and McCallum come on at the same time is worrisome.

Well the team selection certainly adds to the unknowns in this game! Scotland's midfield is certainly experimental.

I'm still fairly confident - that teams is picked with Toonie's gameplan in mind. Each player is a great athlete and very skillful - Scotland will want to play the game at a high tempo. Victory will likely be decided by how quick a game Wales will let Scotland play!

Surprised to see McGuigan there. Never appeared to be any more than a solid player when I have seen him. Same could be said for Harris, though injuries have led to his inclusion?

RDW_Scotland wrote:Well the team selection certainly adds to the unknowns in this game! Scotland's midfield is certainly experimental.

I'm still fairly confident - that teams is picked with Toonie's gameplan in mind. Each player is a great athlete and very skillful - Scotland will want to play the game at a high tempo. Victory will likely be decided by how quick a game Wales will let Scotland play!

Well we haven't picked a proper openside, so I'm sure that'll help!

LondonTiger wrote:Surprised to see McGuigan there. Never appeared to be any more than a solid player when I have seen him. Same could be said for Harris, though injuries have led to his inclusion?

McGuigan took is chance in the game against Aus in the autumn - he was very good.

Harris is in there because Dunbar and Taylor are injured.

Despite the changes, I have no real complaints about that team. I'm absolutely delighted to see Chris Harris. He's very solid defensively for Falcons, and he runs some great support lines. In that sense, he'll link up very will with Finn and Huge Ones when they inevitably create linebreaks.

It seems then that Taylor and Dunbar haven't completed their return to play protocols. Obviously the big call is Harris at OC, shifting Jones inside, rather than Horne. I'm not too worried about Jones moving to IC, he played there in the Currie Cup and has started a few games for Glasgow there recently (with Grigg outside him). I'll admit to having seen very little of Harris. He had a few minutes in the autumn on the wing, and rather messed up the one chance he got to run with the ball (though as much miscommunication as an individual error IIRC), but by all accounts from Newcastle fans he's playing well, and Toonie obviously rates him.

As for the other calls, Toolis ahead of Gilchrist is much of a muchness for me, while McGuigan has been rewarded for an excellent performance against Australia by keeping his place. I thought Bhatti did OK in the autumn generally, but certainly the front row replacements don't look particularly strong. That was always going to be the case though.

Looking at a PvP basis, I reckon:
Front row: advantage Wales
Second row: even
Back row: Scotland
Half-backs: Scotland
Centres: Wales
Back three: Scotland

Great to see 3 falcons in the match day squad!!! 'mon the Geordie Jocks!

So Harris and McGuigan getting chances (McGuigan again) that is interesting. Glad to see Maitland at 23 covering the back 3 and also surprised to see Hogg as a VC alongside Johnny Gray. Nice to see Du Preez starting as well he is a great ball carrier with slick handling too. Good team I think, Murray MacCallum on the bench is interesting especially if it's a tight game. Depending on injuries we could have a few fairly inexperienced players on the pitch at any given moment.

Owens vs MacInally
AWJ vs Gray
Moriarty vs Du Preez
Davies vs Price
Patchell vs Russell
Parkes vs Jones
Halfpenny vs Hogg

Some great matchups there. The bench is interesting too..

16. Elliot Dee (2 caps) vs Scott Lawson (46 caps)
17. Wyn Jones (5 caps) vs Bhatti (3 caps)
18. Tom Francis (25 caps) vs Murray McCallum (Uncapped)
19. Bradley davies (56 caps) vs Grant Gilchrist (18 caps)
20. Justin Tipuric (52 caps) vs Ryan Wilson (32 caps)
21. Davies (5 caps) vs Laidlaw (58 caps)
22. Anscombe (11 caps) vs Horne (28 caps)
23. Watkin (2 caps) vs Maitland (28 caps)

In terms of the front row, I can see Bhattie coming on around 55-60 minutes but I suspect McInally and Welsh will play the majority of the game if they can - maybe even the full 80. McInally certainly has the fitness for that and Welsh is supposedly a lot fitter now too.

It would be a disaster if McInally or Welsh went off injured early - I wonder if they will be targeted for special attention (entirely legal of course!)

For all the talk of our weak front row, none of the starting group are particularity poor at scrum time - I still think we will be second best, but I doubt we will be obliterated. It would also be interesting to see how often Welsh and Reid have packed down together for Glasgow, there is a fair amount of familiarity there.

That McGuigan chap looked pretty handy in the AI game (Oz?). Gonna be a big ask for our wings. One of whom is on debut and the other is pretty inexperienced at this level and not the best defensively (appreciate that McGuigan is no seasoned international either). Should be another intriguing mini battle in the overall war!

You can't really 'target the scrum' anyway - its impossible to predict how many they will actually be unless you get penalties in the 22.

Wales to deliberately knock on in the opposition 22 to try to get some scrum penalties, and to avoid the side to side 'drift attack' that ends with no points?!

Wales must knock on a lot anyway, considering they get 1 point for every 5 visits to the opposition 22?

Have to say I thought Wales would go with tips due to his pace. But kinda get that gats will target them up front and try and strangle them, but with the Scarlets backs you would think he should try and play it fast, therefore pick tips to start.
And if he's not playing it fast why pick the Scarlets back line ?
You confuse me Wales

carpet baboon wrote:Have to say I thought Wales would go with tips due to his pace. But kinda get that gats will target them up front and try and strangle them, but with the Scarlets backs you would think he should try and play it fast, therefore pick tips to start.
And if he's not playing it fast why pick the Scarlets back line ?
You confuse me Wales

Your thinking is all based on Tips being in form. Not sure that he is. Ospreys generally have been woeful this season, a few European games aside, and Tips has not exactly been pulling up trees. Lions hangover, perhaps. Solid but nit as good as he was last season.

As others have alluded to, and contrary to what Gats has said, Moriarty is not a big, explosive carrier. Tips isn’t either, although is he is good in open space. Shingler is a more mobile 6 too. Therefore, those 3 together don’t provide much carrying in the tight and around the fringes. Navidi isn’t exactly Scott Quinnell in his prime either, but might provide a bit more go forward if we need to do some carrying. I guess Gats is look for a big of balance after losing Faletau.

Just to add that Shingler does a lot of the link work with the backs that Tipuric does with Ospreys and Wales, so perhaps that bit is covered.

Great to see 3 falcons in the match day squad!!! 'mon the Geordie Jocks!

'Tyneside Scottish' has a bit more history. - and is still a current unit - 204 battery.

TrailApe wrote:

Great to see 3 falcons in the match day squad!!! 'mon the Geordie Jocks!

'Tyneside Scottish' has a bit more history. - and is still a current unit - 204 battery.

I saw a book about the Tyneside Scottish regiment in the Monument Waterstones, and showed it to Hagia Sophia, noting that our kids will be Scots with Geordie accents (as she hails from the Peoples' Democratic Republic of Hebburn).

She rolled her eyes. "For God's sake, Ian."

Wales have an advantage in the front row particularly with subs. The back row I think may be advantage Scotland though Tips coming on at 50-60 minutes is a scary thought. With McGuigan, the back 3 is an all out attack.

Losing Dunbar and Taylor is unexpected. Hopefully they recover fully from their head knocks in time for next week or at the very least England. Harris may be more solid defensively and H Jones should have less chance of being caught out of position at 12. The bench backs will be able to close out a lead if the forwards do their bit. Laidlaw can manage the game and make the kicks as required.

IanBru wrote:

TrailApe wrote:

Great to see 3 falcons in the match day squad!!! 'mon the Geordie Jocks!

'Tyneside Scottish' has a bit more history. - and is still a current unit - 204 battery.

I saw a book about the Tyneside Scottish regiment in the Monument Waterstones, and showed it to Hagia Sophia, noting that our kids will be Scots with Geordie accents (as she hails from the Peoples' Democratic Republic of Hebburn).

She rolled her eyes. "For God's sake, Ian."

Im across the river in Mordor sorry North Shields...

We (scotland) will need to wrack up points early doors as we look a bit suspect defensively.

In attack though, Wales are going to have to be on their A game to stop us putting a few scores on!

I'm thinking this will be a 50 point game!

It could be a belter of a game.

Luckless Pedestrian wrote:It could be a belter of a game.

I think it will be a high scoring affair, with defence purely an optional extra. I'd expect the Scotland back 3 to harshly punish loose kicking, good job JD isn't playing....

However I think the Welsh tight five will give us a real battering up front, Welsh and Reid aren't bad players but that Scarlets front row is rock solid. The most I can hope for is that the Scottish forwards provide some semblance of a platform to give the backline time on the ball. If they do that, this Scottish team will score tries.

Game on, what a cracking opening fixture.

So anyone changing their initial predictions now the teams are out?

Personally I can't see us winning this, I just think its too big an ask for a very unsettled side to go to Cardiff and win. I do think it'll be close, but will end up a narrow Welsh victory

TheMildlyFranticLlama wrote:So anyone changing their initial predictions now the teams are out?

Personally I can't see us winning this, I just think its too big an ask for a very unsettled side to go to Cardiff and win. I do think it'll be close, but will end up a narrow Welsh victory

The most sensible prediction yet.

TheMildlyFranticLlama wrote:So anyone changing their initial predictions now the teams are out?

Personally I can't see us winning this, I just think its too big an ask for a very unsettled side to go to Cardiff and win. I do think it'll be close, but will end up a narrow Welsh victory

I still see a Scottish win.

We turned them over with a bit to spare last year, and this year they are missing:

A lions captain and one of the best opensides in the world (Warburton)
Arguably the best No.8 in the world (Faletau)
First Choice Scrum Half (Webb)
first and second choice Fly Half (Biggar, Priestland)
Lions Player of the series (JD2)
first, second and third choice back 3 (Williams, North, Amos)

We still have our first choice , second row, backrow, halfbacks, and back 3 with the only real unknown element being Harris at 13. We've not had a better chance for years. Reid and Welsh will hopefully be solid, if unspectacular but that's all they need to be.

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:

TheMildlyFranticLlama wrote:So anyone changing their initial predictions now the teams are out?

Personally I can't see us winning this, I just think its too big an ask for a very unsettled side to go to Cardiff and win. I do think it'll be close, but will end up a narrow Welsh victory

I still see a Scottish win.

We turned them over with a bit to spare last year, and this year they are missing:

A lions captain and one of the best opensides in the world (Warburton)
Arguably the best No.8 in the world (Faletau)
First Choice Scrum Half (Webb)
first and second choice Fly Half (Biggar, Priestland)
Lions Player of the series (JD2)
first, second and third choice back 3 (Williams, North, Amos)

We still have our first choice backrow, halfbacks, and back 3 with the only real unknown element being Harris at 13. We've not had a better chance for years.

Agreed! This is an opportunity for Scotland to show some brass and take a famous win in Cardiff. The backline alone is excellent and has good cover in Laidlaw, Horne and Maitland who I think will all feature probably. Really excited for another explosive start to the 6N!

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:

TheMildlyFranticLlama wrote:So anyone changing their initial predictions now the teams are out?

Personally I can't see us winning this, I just think its too big an ask for a very unsettled side to go to Cardiff and win. I do think it'll be close, but will end up a narrow Welsh victory

I still see a Scottish win.

We turned them over with a bit to spare last year, and this year they are missing:

A lions captain and one of the best opensides in the world (Warburton)
Arguably the best No.8 in the world (Faletau)
First Choice Scrum Half (Webb)
first and second choice Fly Half (Biggar, Priestland)
Lions Player of the series (JD2)
first, second and third choice back 3 (Williams, North, Amos)

We still have our first choice , second row, backrow, halfbacks, and back 3 with the only real unknown element being Harris at 13. We've not had a better chance for years. Reid and Welsh will hopefully be solid, if unspectacular but that's all they need to be.

The main differences for me are -

We were absolutely awful

&

You were at home.

munkian wrote:

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:

TheMildlyFranticLlama wrote:So anyone changing their initial predictions now the teams are out?

Personally I can't see us winning this, I just think its too big an ask for a very unsettled side to go to Cardiff and win. I do think it'll be close, but will end up a narrow Welsh victory

I still see a Scottish win.

We turned them over with a bit to spare last year, and this year they are missing:

A lions captain and one of the best opensides in the world (Warburton)
Arguably the best No.8 in the world (Faletau)
First Choice Scrum Half (Webb)
first and second choice Fly Half (Biggar, Priestland)
Lions Player of the series (JD2)
first, second and third choice back 3 (Williams, North, Amos)

We still have our first choice , second row, backrow, halfbacks, and back 3 with the only real unknown element being Harris at 13. We've not had a better chance for years. Reid and Welsh will hopefully be solid, if unspectacular but that's all they need to be.

The main differences for me are -

We were absolutely awful

&

You were at home.

My question Munk, is what makes you think you'll be better without all those key players with bucket loads of test match experience?

You can't seriously tell me that the loss of Warbs and Faletau doesn't bother you. Or that not having Williams at 15 is advantageous, or that missing Webb (your best player at Murrayfield) isn't a bad thing?

Howley won't be in charge for a start...

We'll certainly play better as a team regardless of the personnel.

The week after THAT game, we won convincingly against Ireland and you had a record loss away to England.

Of course the missing players are huge losses to any side, I'd written us off weeks ago.

But... Gatland (whether his hand has been forced or not) has picked 90% of this team on form.

They are used to playing with each other, there are three regional captains in the team so still plenty of leadership on the pitch.

Our 9 is playing out of his skin at the moment as is Patchell.

We have a fantastic front row, even our replacement front row wouldn't fill me with too much dread if it was starting.

I'm not sure it's quite right to say Wales were "absolutely awful" last year either. In the first half they were dominant, but only went into the break with a small lead (I think it was 13-9). This was due to their failure to convert their territory and possession into points. In contrast, Scotland dominated the second half (about the same as Wales did in the first half in terms of territory and possession IIRC) but scored 20 unanswered points.

Wales's issues with scoring enough points is not new, and has been well written about before. The question is, have they fixed that? In the AIs we definitely saw a move away from Gatlandball IMO, notably with the use of Williams as a second receiver. At times, it looked a bit disjointed, but the signs were that they're trying to move to a more expansive style of play. We'll see if it delivers.

Mad for Chelsea wrote:I'm not sure it's quite right to say Wales were "absolutely awful" last year either. In the first half they were dominant, but only went into the break with a small lead (I think it was 13-9). This was due to their failure to convert their territory and possession into points. In contrast, Scotland dominated the second half (about the same as Wales did in the first half in terms of territory and possession IIRC) but scored 20 unanswered points.

Wales's issues with scoring enough points is not new, and has been well written about before. The question is, have they fixed that? In the AIs we definitely saw a move away from Gatlandball IMO, notably with the use of Williams as a second receiver. At times, it looked a bit disjointed, but the signs were that they're trying to move to a more expansive style of play. We'll see if it delivers.

Ok, our defence was certainly awful, I was amazed we didn't concede several tries in the first half.

North was all over the shop, he was out of form even back then.

I don't think we'll need a try fest to beat Scotland if we play sensibly, its a must win game for both teams, its not going to be showcase rugby, its the 6 nations, not the AIs.

munkian wrote:

Mad for Chelsea wrote:I'm not sure it's quite right to say Wales were "absolutely awful" last year either. In the first half they were dominant, but only went into the break with a small lead (I think it was 13-9). This was due to their failure to convert their territory and possession into points. In contrast, Scotland dominated the second half (about the same as Wales did in the first half in terms of territory and possession IIRC) but scored 20 unanswered points.

Wales's issues with scoring enough points is not new, and has been well written about before. The question is, have they fixed that? In the AIs we definitely saw a move away from Gatlandball IMO, notably with the use of Williams as a second receiver. At times, it looked a bit disjointed, but the signs were that they're trying to move to a more expansive style of play. We'll see if it delivers.

Ok, our defence was certainly awful, I was amazed we didn't concede several tries in the first half.

You can't really blame Howley, he wasn't the reason that your backrow got a doin'.

I dunno, the Wales team has a whiff of inexperience about it, and noone loves the way the Scarlets play more than me, it's joyful rugby, but Scotland have been playing that joyful rugby for 18 months now and have taken some serious scalps whilst doing it. Noone really knows if the Scarlets backline will be able to properly click at test level, and if Gatland will coach them properly or wether or not he's just said "do what you do at club level".

One part of the Scarlets backline that makes me happy is that Barclay is one of the best covering tacklers in Europe, if anyone knows where the weak spots in that defensive system lie, it will be him, and I'd expect to see Hogg, Seymour et al hitting those weak spots all day long.

I really can't wait!

You haven't taken any 6 nations scalps away from home though, not even last year in your pomp.

munkian wrote:You haven't taken any 6 nations scalps away from home though, not even last year in your pomp.

Neither did you, apart from Italy.

We have beaten Australia away from home over the summer a fantastic result. I think this weekend will let us know if home advantage is back, because from memory England were the only team to win a meaningful test match away from home against Wales oddly enough.

If France hold their own against Ireland and this weaker Welsh side (on paper for reasons previously stated (injuries etc)) we'll know that it's a big factor in the tournament again, just like back in the 90s which will be great for the competition.

Scotland's scalps have been mostly at home bar Australia.

If this was at Murrayfield I'd be backing Scotland.

I backed Scotland to win last year when many didn't think they'd win, backing Wales this year when many think they are the underdogs.

Home advantage helps most teams.

Last year in the 6 nations the only team who won a match away which wasn't vs Italy was England - this decided the competition and only just.


ruggerradge home advantage was a big factor last season if you discount Italy.

It's been forgotten that France beat both Scotland and Wales at Stade de France. I wouldn't underestimate any team bar perhaps Italy at home.