Scotland

[Sandydragon]

So Scotland up next. Personally a bit nervous about this one. The Scots have improved a lot and we have definitely gone backwards. That said, this seems like a good opportunity to try out younger players and new combinations, or at least some.

I’m hoping for:
R Evans
K Owens
WGJ
AWJ
Rowlands
Navidi
Tipuric
Faletau
T Williams (need to stop changing scrum halves about for every game)
Biggar
Zammit
Watkin
Hopkins
North
Liam Williams

On the bench
Ellias, Brown, Carre, Beard, Moriarty, G Davies, J Evans, McNicholl (can’t think of anyone else who is fit).

[normanski]

So Scotland up next. Personally a bit nervous about this one. The Scots have improved a lot and we have definitely gone backwards. That said, this seems like a good opportunity to try out younger players and new combinations, or at least some.

I’m hoping for:
R Evans
K Owens
WGJ
AWJ
Rowlands
Navidi
Tipuric
Faletau
T Williams (need to stop changing scrum halves about for every game)
Biggar
Zammit
Watkin
Hopkins
North
Liam Williams

On the bench
Ellias, Brown, Carre, Beard, Moriarty, G Davies, J Evans, McNicholl (can’t think of anyone else who is fit).

After the Scotland performance yesterday I think Pivac will be cautious in his selections.

I hope your ‘wild card’ centre Hopkins isn’t chosen ahead of Tompkins!!

Pivac would probably put McNicholl on the wing ahead of Zammit, so I’d like to see him on the bench.

It may be too much of a gamble to put WGJ in as starting TH but I’d love to see him come on for 30 minutes to see how he goes ahead of the summer tour.

Otherwise not a bad team to restore some winning pride.

[Mikey Brown]

How would you say your lineout has been functioning? I’d definitely see it as an area to target.

[Sandydragon]

Same as our scrum, it ranges from competent to shite in the space of a few minutes. Our set piece is not reliable at the moment and any team that has decent jumpers will want to target it.

[Sandydragon]

So Scotland up next. Personally a bit nervous about this one. The Scots have improved a lot and we have definitely gone backwards. That said, this seems like a good opportunity to try out younger players and new combinations, or at least some.

I’m hoping for:
R Evans
K Owens
WGJ
AWJ
Rowlands
Navidi
Tipuric
Faletau
T Williams (need to stop changing scrum halves about for every game)
Biggar
Zammit
Watkin
Hopkins
North
Liam Williams

On the bench
Ellias, Brown, Carre, Beard, Moriarty, G Davies, J Evans, McNicholl (can’t think of anyone else who is fit).

After the Scotland performance yesterday I think Pivac will be cautious in his selections.

I hope your ‘wild card’ centre Hopkins isn’t chosen ahead of Tompkins!!

Pivac would probably put McNicholl on the wing ahead of Zammit, so I’d like to see him on the bench.

It may be too much of a gamble to put WGJ in as starting TH but I’d love to see him come on for 30 minutes to see how he goes ahead of the summer tour.

Otherwise not a bad team to restore some winning pride.

Good spot!

I think it will be safety first so I suspect it will be the same side as Saturday barring any injury replacements. Personally, I'd forgive Privac if he gives younger players a run out for this one rather than play our perceived best XV and lose. Although Zammit isn't a significant risk in terms of form whilst we have problems at TH so looking at another player is equally not a huge risk.

Dropping Parkes might be seen as harsh, but Watkin deserves a chance at some point.

[Son of Mathonwy]

I wouldn't make too many changes, and I doubt Pivac will. I'd get Rees-Zammit involved somewhere, probably instead of McNicholl on the bench to give him a chance and lock him into Wales. Not giving up on McNicholl but LRZ deserves a shot.

[normanski]

There’s talk that all the final games are being postponed until October because of the Coronavirus.

That’s a pity because both Wales and Scotland would fancy their chances on Saturday.

[Sandydragon]

Really hope not. I understand that the Italian and French games will be affected, but if other big sporting events within the UK are on then so should this match.

[normanski]

Really hope not. I understand that the Italian and French games will be affected, but if other big sporting events within the UK are on then so should this match.

The Cobra Meeting today will make the recommendations for gatherings of people at sporting events. We know Italy/England is off and Macron has banned gatherings thus putting the Ireland game at risk.

It would cheer the whole nation up if Wales and Scotland could play a humdinger on Saturday.

[Sandydragon]

So the Fail is now reporting that the game is definitely on, unless there is a major change in the virus outbreak between now and Saturday. I get why they wanted all 3 games on the final Saturday, but people will have made travel plans so unless there is a good medical reason, then it should be played.

[Ross. S]

I think we're going to need to be very careful with Scotland tbh, their Defense has been air tight (when we gonna get Tandy home?), they can score from anywhere when they throw Townsends plan out the window and will have huge ammounts of confidence after yesterday although they Principality does seem to have the hoodoo over them lately.

[francoisfou]

So the Fail is now reporting that the game is definitely on, unless there is a major change in the virus outbreak between now and Saturday. I get why they wanted all 3 games on the final Saturday, but people will have made travel plans so unless there is a good medical reason, then it should be played.

France v Ireland has now been postponed until October31st which is a shame as I had a ticket and had been looking forward to the Grand Slam match.

[Numbers]

I think we're going to need to be very careful with Scotland tbh, their Defense has been air tight (when we gonna get Tandy home?), they can score from anywhere when they throw Townsends plan out the window and will have huge ammounts of confidence after yesterday although they Principality does seem to have the hoodoo over them lately.

They've not beaten us there for 18 years.

[Ross. S]

I think we're going to need to be very careful with Scotland tbh, their Defense has been air tight (when we gonna get Tandy home?), they can score from anywhere when they throw Townsends plan out the window and will have huge ammounts of confidence after yesterday although they Principality does seem to have the hoodoo over them lately.

They've not beaten us there for 18 years.

Ok so its a little bit longer than lately

[hugh_woatmeigh]

Very strange to see the Welsh push for their compatriot North to continue starting rugby matches. I honestly wince at what must be happening to his brain every time I see him play.

Either way, cannot see Scotland getting a result here and frankly not that keen on Townsend relieving the pressure on his tenure.

[Sandydragon]

Very strange to see the Welsh push for their compatriot North to continue starting rugby matches. I honestly wince at what must be happening to his brain every time I see him play.

Either way, cannot see Scotland getting a result here and frankly not that keen on Townsend relieving the pressure on his tenure.

I had hoped that he would be rested. Apparently he has been evaluated by the same high priced doctors that reviewed Biggar in the RWC and he is ok to play.

It does make me nervous. The again, he is an adult and can make his own decisions.

[normanski]

Very strange to see the Welsh push for their compatriot North to continue starting rugby matches. I honestly wince at what must be happening to his brain every time I see him play.

Either way, cannot see Scotland getting a result here and frankly not that keen on Townsend relieving the pressure on his tenure.

Like the government and the Coronavirus you have to be guided by the (medical) science.

He been checked out many times in recent years and keeps passing the protocols.

Like you, I share your concerns for his, and any player’s, long term health after all the head knocks. Would love to see him have a summer off and enjoy his new baby due in the few weeks.

[whatisthejava]

Re Tandy, was a typical journeyman player but thought he was fairly shite at the Ospreys , disappeared off to Oz but has been a real breath of fresh air, although after years of Taylor I think the players were desperate for a new voice and so he has had a willing audience.

Surprised if Scotland don’t offer him something good to keep him for the next RWC cycle.

[Mikey Brown]

It’s very early to tell, there’s generally a bit of a lift with any new coach, but it’s okay so far. Was he defence at the Ospreys too?

For what it’s worth I really liked him as a player. Probably didn’t have it in him to step it up a level but good to watch at club level. Never means all that much when it comes round to coaching though anyway.

[Sandydragon]

It’s very early to tell, there’s generally a bit of a lift with any new coach, but it’s okay so far. Was he defence at the Ospreys too?

For what it’s worth I really liked him as a player. Probably didn’t have it in him to step it up a level but good to watch at club level. Never means all that much when it comes round to coaching though anyway.

Head coach and he wasn’t a success but he had transitioned from being a player so steep learning curve.

Great club player, as you say not international class but that’s no disgrace and every club needs glue players like that.

[Graigwen]

WALES TEAM TO PLAY SCOTLAND (Saturday March 14 14.15 BBC & S4C)

15. Leigh Halfpenny (89 Caps)
14. George North (95 Caps)
13. Nick Tompkins (4 Caps)
12. Hadleigh Parkes (29 Caps)
11. Liam Williams (63 Caps)
10. Dan Biggar (83 Caps)
9. Rhys Webb (33 Caps)
1. Wyn Jones (25 Caps)
2. Ken Owens (66 Caps)
3. WillGriff John (*Uncapped)
4. Cory Hill (25 Caps)
5. Alun Wyn Jones (C) (138 Caps)
6. Ross Moriarty (45 Caps)
7. Justin Tipuric (76 Caps)
8. Josh Navidi (24 Caps)

Replacements:

16. Ryan Elias (13 Caps)
17. Rhys Carre (8 Caps)
18. Leon Brown (10 Caps)
19. Will Rowlands (1 Cap)
20. Taulupe Faletau (76 Caps)
21. Gareth Davies (53 Caps)
22. Jarrod Evans (6 Caps)
23. Johnny McNicholl (4 Caps)

[Mikey Brown]

Not too much different on our end. Lineout could be interesting.

[Graigwen]

I must admit I don't see the logic in have McNicholl on the bench instead of rees Zammit. This season is for reorganisation, learning to play a somewhat different way. I would feel relaxed about losing three games in a row if I thought the learning exercise had been worthwhile. I am not usually in favour of multiple changes, but this season is difrferent.

[Graigwen]

On the other hand, I am happy to see WGJ at tight head. We have to find out if he is up to the job. Carre was thrown in and passed the test at loose head.

[Mikey Brown]

On the other hand, I am happy to see WGJ at tight head. We have to find out if he is up to the job. Carre was thrown in and passed the test at loose head.

What is he like? Sutherland has probably been Scotland's best player and definitely up there for best loosehead this tournament.