Preview: Wales v Scotland

by James Dodd

Guinness Six Nations – Wales v Scotland

Saturday 31st October – 14:15

Venue – Parc y Scarlets, Llanelli

WAYNE Pivac will be hoping that his Wales side can end the 2020 Guinness Six Nations on a high when Scotland visit Llanelli on Saturday

Both sides can’t win the title, but the winner will likely finish above the other in the final standings.

Scotland currently sit fourth with 10 points, and their Welsh rivals sit fifth with seven points.

The away side have only managed one win against their Celtic cousins since 2008.

Wales

The Kiwi has made 6 changes to the side that lost to France 38-21 last week in Paris, including debutant Shane Lewis-Hughes, who wasn’t originally in the Welsh squad.

Other changes include Owen Watkin replacing Nick Tompkins at 12 and Liam Williams playing only his second match since March on the right-wing.

Williams played for the Scarlets last week in their scrappy 10-3 victory against Benetton in Italy. With North being dropped completely and Louis Rees-Zammit having a small issue with his shin, the ex Saracen has been handed a start.

The other significant change is at nine, where Gareth Davies will earn his 55th cap after Rhys Webb injured his knee last Saturday.

As well as this, Will Rowlands starts in the second-row having played for Wasps last week in their defeat to Exeter. Rowlands will partner veteran Alun Wyn Jones, who is set to break the world record for the number of international caps.

Finally, tight-head prop Tomos Francis returns having also played in the Gallagher Premiership Final for champions Exeter.

Victory would end a four match losing streak and guarantee fourth place, unless the Scots manage a losing and try bonus point, and keep Wales to three tries or less.

Wales: Leigh Halfpenny, Liam Williams, Jonathan Davies, Owen Watkin, Josh Adams; Dan Biggar, Gareth Davies; Rhys Carre, Ryan Elias, Tomas Francis, Will Rowlands, Alun Wyn Jones (c), Shane Lewis-Hughes, Justin Tipuric, Taulupe Faletau.

Replacements: Sam Parry, Wyn Jones, Dillon Lewis, Cory Hill, James Davies, Lloyd Williams, Rhys Patchell, Nick Tompkins.

Scotland

Gregor Townsend has made four changes from Scotland’s 48-7 hammering over Georgia last Friday at Murrayfield.

These include Racing 92 fly-half Finn Russell, who replaces Adam Hastings.

Stuart Hogg and Johnny Gray return from Exeter Chief action.

The final change is at number eight, where Blade Thomson comes in for the injured Matt Fagerson.

If Scotland pull off an historic away win in Wales, it would mean they would have came out on top in three of their five matches. Something they have only managed twice since 2007.

It would also mean they will have won three Six Nations games in a row, something they have never managed since the Italians joined in 2000.

Scotland: Stuart Hogg (c), Darcy Graham, Chris Harris, James Lang, Blair Kinghorn, Finn Russell, Ali Price; Rory Sutherland, Fraser Brown, Zander Fagerson, Scott Cummings, Jonny Gray, Jamie Ritchie, Hamish Watson, Blade Thomson.

Replacements: Stuart McInally, Oli Kebble, Simon Berghan, Ben Toolis, Cornell du Preez, Scott Steele, Adam Hastings, Duhan van der Merwe.

Predictions

Dylan – “Wales showed some early signs of strength in attack, however they couldn’t quite cut the mustard against France, with Antoine Dupont showing his world class ability to scythe through the Welsh defence. Scotland looked strong last week but Wales will be stronger with the addition of Liam Williams. Wales will win by 7.”

Ben – “Paris might be known as the City of Love, but for Wales it was far from it. Although only a friendly, Wales were outclassed by a French side within touching distance of their first Six Nations crown since 2010. Les Bleus duo of Romain Ntamack and Teddy Thomas, were a constant thorn in the side of the Welsh defence, who simply had no answer to their firepower. Much to ponder for Pivac as he reflects on that night at the Stade de France. He’ll hope that that was just an off day against a classy French outfit, and that things will be put right against Scotland and into the autumn.”

Joe – “I think Pivac will get the much needed victory, but his side need to operate in a far more attacking manner than the way they played against France. Biggar is the key player for me, if his attack isn’t functioning he needs to be swapped for Rhys Patchell.“

James – “Despite having the likes of Finn Russell and Stuart Hogg playing for Scotland, I don’t believe their attack will be as effective as the French flair was last week. I think defensively Wales will cope, but it will be interesting with how the attack operates. The likes of Liam Williams, Josh Adams, Jonathan Davies and Gareth Davies have the chance to cause chaos, it’s just whether they do or not.“

PHOTO CREDIT – Getty Images