Wales are searching for their first win of this year’s Six Nations
WALES host Scotland in the Six Nations tomorrow looking to secure their first win of the campaign.
Wayne Pivac’s side head to the Principality Stadium on the back of a 29-7 defeat to Ireland in the Aviva Stadium last weekend.
Tries from Bundee Aki, Gary Ringrose and a quick fire brace from Andrew Conway secured the bonus point victory for the home side.
Taine Basham’s late try was only a consolation for a diminished Wales side who travelled without a host of injured star names, including captain Alun Wyn Jones and the loss of almost 700 caps of experience.
Basham said: “It is all about mindset for me – there will be no doubt that we will bring that next week.”
Pivac will also demand more from his team on Saturday.
He said: “We certainly look forward to getting back home, there is no doubt about that.
“A full house at the Principality Stadium, there is nothing better and it certainly lifts the boys.”
Wales’ opponents Scotland travel to Cardiff full of confidence after retaining the Calcutta Cup with a 20-17 win over England at Murrayfield.
Despite the victory, Gregor Townsend was not fully pleased with his side.
“It was far from perfect,” he said.
“We have set really good standards in defence over the last couple of years. We know how much this means to our supporters and the whole nation – we have to back it up next week.”
In the 2021 Six Nations, Wales narrowly edged out Scotland 25-24 thanks to a dazzling display from winger Louis Rees-Zammit.
Scotland have not won in Cardiff in 20 years, the last time being in 2002. But they did triumph away to Wales for the first time in 18 years with a 14-10 victory in 2020 at Parc y Scarlets, in a fixture played behind closed doors.
The two sides have faced each other 126 times, with Wales coming away victorious on 74 occasions.
The Principality Stadium bars at tomorrow’s fixture will close after half-time and weaker beer will be sold in a bid to curb anti-social behaviour.
This after two pitch invader incidents and numerous anti-social behaviour reports during the autumn series.
The kicking contest
In Dublin, Wales only kicked the ball 15 times and made just 455 metres from kicks, the lowest of any of the sides in Round 1.
While Scotland’s recent big away wins in England and France came off the back of the Scots ability to dominate with the ball to feet.
This is an area that Gregor Townsend will be looking for Ali Price, Finn Russell, and Stuart Hogg to dominate on Saturday.
The battle of the full-backs
Wales – Liam Williams
The Scarlets fullback is recognised as one of the top full-backs in world rugby due to his devastating counter-attacking ability and composure under the high ball.
He was a vital part of Wales’ 2021 Six Nations title win and has made five appearances for the British and Irish Lions.
Scotland – Stuart Hogg
Captain Stuart Hogg makes his 90th Scotland appearance in Cardiff’s Principality Stadium, 10 years on from his debut at the same venue.
The Exeter full-back will hope to add to his 25 international tries which is the record for the men’s Scottish national team.
The 29-year-old was named in last years World Rugby Men’s 15s Dream Team of the Year.
Team News
Dan Biggar will become the ninth Welsh Player to play 100 tests when he leads out Wales on Saturday.
Wayne Pivac makes four changes with uncapped Ospreys flanker Jac Morgan to make his debut.
Ross Moriarty joins Morgan in the back row with Ellis Jenkins and Aaron Wainwright making way.
The other changes see fellow Ospreys Alex Cuthbert and Owen Watkin replace Johnny McNicholl and the injured Josh Adams.
Scotland make five changes for the trip to Cardiff with Edinburgh pair Pierre Schoeman and WP Nel joining hooker Stuart McInally in a new-look front row.
Flanker Jamie Ritchie is ruled out for the remainder of the Six Nations following a hamstring injury sustained against England last week, Sam Skinner is his replacement.
Glasgow’s Sione Tuipulotu also comes in for his third cap at inside centre.
Wales: L Williams; Cuthbert, Watkin, Tompkins, Rees-Zammit; Biggar (c), T Williams; W Jones, Elias, Francis, Rowlands, Beard, Basham, Morgan, Moriarty.
Replacements: Lake, G Thomas, D Lewis, S Davies, Wainwright, G Davies, Sheedy, J Davies.
Scotland: Hogg (c); Graham, Harris, Tuipulotu, Van der Merwe; Russell, Price; Schoeman, McInally, Nel, Gray, Gilchrist, Skinner, Watson, M Fagerson.
Replacements: Turner, Sutherland, Z Fagerson, Bradbury, Darge, White, Kinghorn, Redpath.
Fans can watch Wales take on Scotland on BBC 1 and S4C. Kick-off is at 2.15pm.
