Team for Scotland

[MrK]

Same as everyone else, happy with 22 of the 23 ..perplexed by the continued selection of Roberts - especially when North is playing - its wing cover we need - Steff Evans would be the obvious choice.

I hope there are no pre planned substiutions this week and players are replaced at the correct time and if needed.

As an Os fan I still think Baldwin on club form is lucky to keep his place in the 23 , Dacey offers more as an impact sub, that said Baldwin hasnt done too much wrong in a red jersey recently.

We should beat Scotland even though they have improved considerably (the Laidlaw thing is a non issue other than for the pundits, most Scottish fans I know are saying Price is better anyway)

[joshfishkins]

Hmm, so if North is injured in the first minute, who covers wing?

1/2p moves to wing and Roberts/Sam D go to full back?? Can Biggar cover full back? Our backs cover looks thin.

Howley might move Scott to the wing. More likely, Halfpenny to wing and Sam Davies to fullback (gulp). Jamie now covers one position and if we are honest his effectiveness there is now questionable given the changes in the game. His presence on the bench is a bit of a mockery to other in-form players who could be given a go.

As for the rest of the team, as expected. Howley didn't make any other changes and will be hoping for the same level of performance.

Precisely. This is why Howley isn't up to the job rather than any other reason. We don't have a chance of winning the tournament now, so why not give caps to the younger players and see how they do. I despair.

[MrK]

This is a horrible stat btw..

"Wales have enough issues elsewhere without opting to tinker with the full-back position. That said, it wouldn’t hurt Halfpenny to pose more of an attacking threat. He is ever-reliable but he hasn’t scored a try in Test rugby for four years and 31 Tests, including three for the Lions."

[Hooky]

This is a horrible stat btw..

"Wales have enough issues elsewhere without opting to tinker with the full-back position. That said, it wouldn’t hurt Halfpenny to pose more of an attacking threat. He is ever-reliable but he hasn’t scored a try in Test rugby for four years and 31 Tests, including three for the Lions."

Which is a damning indictment of Warrenball. He is purely a last line of defence for us, it's a waste of his attacking talent. It's probably too late now though, he might not remember how to play that way.

[Son of Mathonwy]

If Ireland can beat England in Dublin on the final weekend, it opens the competition up, but we need bonus points (try bonus points, I mean!) to be able to compete. And Scotland are our best chance of getting one, but we need to play attacking rugby. So for me, Sam Davies needs to start (or, for god's sake to get some meaningful time on the pitch... like, more than zero).

For the same reason, Giles (now fit again) should be back in the squad and on the bench, in the place of Roberts. As has been said bench cover for the back 3 is weak in Howley's 23. Failing this Steff Evans should be on the bench.

Baldwin had a poor game for the Ospreys on the weekend. Hope Howley's (undoubtedly) planned substitution is set for later rather than sooner...

Otherwise (given omission of Beck from the squad), the 23 is sensible and strong. Strong enough to beat Scotland I think.

[ALunpg]

The Doc is the centre cover...who is the back 3 cover..Sam Davies?

But based upon the squad who could replace Doc on the bench.thats where I am lost ..Owain Williams ? Leicester supporters are not all sad he is going..a good club player but never yet shown the qualities that show the differance that would scream put me in the match day sqaud.

Otherwise...it has no real suprises since they did not want give Steff Evans a chance before..there was no chance this week.

This will not be anyway as easy as some seem to think...

[Hooky]

If Ireland can beat England in Dublin on the final weekend, it opens the competition up, but we need bonus points (try bonus points, I mean!) to be able to compete. And Scotland are our best chance of getting one, but we need to play attacking rugby. So for me, Sam Davies needs to start (or, for god's sake to get some meaningful time on the pitch... like, more than zero).

For the same reason, Giles (now fit again) should be back in the squad and on the bench, in the place of Roberts. As has been said bench cover for the back 3 is weak in Howley's 23. Failing this Steff Evans should be on the bench.

Baldwin had a poor game for the Ospreys on the weekend. Hope Howley's (undoubtedly) planned substitution is set for later rather than sooner...

Otherwise (given omission of Beck from the squad), the 23 is sensible and strong. Strong enough to beat Scotland I think.

No way should Biggar be dropped. I was calling for it pre England but he was epic. If he controls the game in the same way against the jock, we will be in the driving seat. Davies later on if we have a decent lead.

[Son of Mathonwy]

If Ireland can beat England in Dublin on the final weekend, it opens the competition up, but we need bonus points (try bonus points, I mean!) to be able to compete. And Scotland are our best chance of getting one, but we need to play attacking rugby. So for me, Sam Davies needs to start (or, for god's sake to get some meaningful time on the pitch... like, more than zero).

For the same reason, Giles (now fit again) should be back in the squad and on the bench, in the place of Roberts. As has been said bench cover for the back 3 is weak in Howley's 23. Failing this Steff Evans should be on the bench.

Baldwin had a poor game for the Ospreys on the weekend. Hope Howley's (undoubtedly) planned substitution is set for later rather than sooner...

Otherwise (given omission of Beck from the squad), the 23 is sensible and strong. Strong enough to beat Scotland I think.

No way should Biggar be dropped. I was calling for it pre England but he was epic. If he controls the game in the same way against the jock, we will be in the driving seat. Davies later on if we have a decent lead.

Fair enough, Biggar had a great game last time but we still didn't score many points. We need 4 tries and IMO Sam Davies is the best way to get that. Not that we can't still do it with Biggar though... It's just a bit harder, not his style.

[Hooky]

If Ireland can beat England in Dublin on the final weekend, it opens the competition up, but we need bonus points (try bonus points, I mean!) to be able to compete. And Scotland are our best chance of getting one, but we need to play attacking rugby. So for me, Sam Davies needs to start (or, for god's sake to get some meaningful time on the pitch... like, more than zero).

For the same reason, Giles (now fit again) should be back in the squad and on the bench, in the place of Roberts. As has been said bench cover for the back 3 is weak in Howley's 23. Failing this Steff Evans should be on the bench.

Baldwin had a poor game for the Ospreys on the weekend. Hope Howley's (undoubtedly) planned substitution is set for later rather than sooner...

Otherwise (given omission of Beck from the squad), the 23 is sensible and strong. Strong enough to beat Scotland I think.

No way should Biggar be dropped. I was calling for it pre England but he was epic. If he controls the game in the same way against the jock, we will be in the driving seat. Davies later on if we have a decent lead.

Fair enough, Biggar had a great game last time but we still didn't score many points. We need 4 tries and IMO Sam Davies is the best way to get that. Not that we can't still do it with Biggar though... It's just a bit harder, not his style.

I think we need to focus on the win before any talk of bonus points. Biggar is the safest option to secure the win I think.

[Sandydragon]

No way should Biggar be dropped. I was calling for it pre England but he was epic. If he controls the game in the same way against the jock, we will be in the driving seat. Davies later on if we have a decent lead.

Fair enough, Biggar had a great game last time but we still didn't score many points. We need 4 tries and IMO Sam Davies is the best way to get that. Not that we can't still do it with Biggar though... It's just a bit harder, not his style.

I think we need to focus on the win before any talk of bonus points. Biggar is the safest option to secure the win I think.

If the weather is going to be as bad as people are suggesting, I think scoring 4 tries could be extremely difficult regardless of who is at fly half. This could be an old fashioned slog fest rather than one of the faster games.

[joshfishkins]

Talk of a bonus point is laughable. We only just won last year, at home. They will be well up for this and we need to make sure we get the win more than anything.

[stud muffin]

Scotland: Stuart Hogg, Tim Visser, Huw Jones, Alex Dunbar, Tommy Seymour, Finn Russell, Alistair Price; Gordon Reid, Fraser Brown, Zander Fagerson, Richie Gray, Jonny Gray, John Barclay, John Hardie, Ryan Wilson.

Replacements: Allan Dell, Ross Ford, Simon Berghan, Tim Swinson, Hamish Watson, Henry Pyrgos, Duncan Weir, Mark Bennett.

Five changes for Scotland

[stud muffin]

The poor weather forecast should be in Wales' favour as continously kicking the ball to Hogg in good condittions would be nasty!!

[Son of Mathonwy]

Talk of a bonus point is laughable. We only just won last year, at home. They will be well up for this and we need to make sure we get the win more than anything.

Ireland got 3 tries against them. Can we not dream of getting 4??

Personally I think that our best chance of beating them is to score some tries, anyway. In reality however, I expect Howley's tactics will allow us to armwrestle them to a narrow victory.

[Son of Mathonwy]

No way should Biggar be dropped. I was calling for it pre England but he was epic. If he controls the game in the same way against the jock, we will be in the driving seat. Davies later on if we have a decent lead.

Fair enough, Biggar had a great game last time but we still didn't score many points. We need 4 tries and IMO Sam Davies is the best way to get that. Not that we can't still do it with Biggar though... It's just a bit harder, not his style.

I think we need to focus on the win before any talk of bonus points. Biggar is the safest option to secure the win I think.

Last year I might have agreed, but now I think Davies is our best hope for victory. Biggar would be the man to defend a lead, but not to build it.

Hopefully though, we can win this one whoever is 10. I reckon we can.

[Mikey Brown]

A think grinding away in the poor conditions is probably a pretty good bet for you guys.

[joshfishkins]

Talk of a bonus point is laughable. We only just won last year, at home. They will be well up for this and we need to make sure we get the win more than anything.

Ireland got 3 tries against them. Can we not dream of getting 4??

Personally I think that our best chance of beating them is to score some tries, anyway. In reality however, I expect Howley's tactics will allow us to armwrestle them to a narrow victory.

The bit in bold is why I said it was laughable.

[Son of Mathonwy]

Talk of a bonus point is laughable. We only just won last year, at home. They will be well up for this and we need to make sure we get the win more than anything.

Ireland got 3 tries against them. Can we not dream of getting 4??

Personally I think that our best chance of beating them is to score some tries, anyway. In reality however, I expect Howley's tactics will allow us to armwrestle them to a narrow victory.

The bit in bold is why I said it was laughable.

Fair point.

[Sourdust]

I suppose for the likes of Stef Evans, the best they can hope for is some time on the Summer Tour, or a run out against Georgia in the AIs?

...and score two tries and get MOTM, then come next February "It was only Georgia".

[ALunpg]

I suppose for the likes of Stef Evans, the best they can hope for is some time on the Summer Tour, or a run out against Georgia in the AIs?

...and score two tries and get MOTM, then come next February "It was only Georgia".

As much as I would want Steff to get a chance on the bench... who will cover the centres if one is injured. Take North into the centre and Steff to the wing ? What chance of him getting decent ball?

[Sourdust]

As much as I would want Steff to get a chance on the bench... who will cover the centres if one is injured.

Outside of Rob Howley's head, there are more than three centres in Wales.

[Sandydragon]

I suppose for the likes of Stef Evans, the best they can hope for is some time on the Summer Tour, or a run out against Georgia in the AIs?

...and score two tries and get MOTM, then come next February "It was only Georgia".

Or worse, it's a deeply unsatisfactory performance from a largely second team which results in a narrow win, or even a loss, and players like Stef Evans are judged to be unsuited to international rugby.

[ALunpg]

As much as I would want Steff to get a chance on the bench... who will cover the centres if one is injured.

Outside of Rob Howley's head, there are more than three centres in Wales.

I absilutely agree with that ..but ...on this seasons form...who are they ....Beck is the only one in form that I can see...the others have hardly had a look in all season in the 4 regions for many reasons.

Outside that ...Williams for Leicester is not the real deal yet...if he was ...Aaron Mauger who was a top quality inside centre or second 5/8 would not be letting him go.

I feel our bench is our weakness ..and the Doc is my worry if we need to attack...but not a new problem.

[Sandydragon]

This is a real horror show. Fair play Scotland but we are making errors by the bucketful.

[wayneha50]

Awful. Scotland have smashed us in the second half by jst playing a bit of rugby, something which seems beyond us. Well done to Scotland though. I did think Italy would be the only game we would win though.

Is Howley untouchable regardless of how bad we are?