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Wales and Scotland meet on Saturday in a game crucial to both countries’ Guinness Six Nations title aspirations.
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Defending champions Wales cannot afford another defeat after being beaten by Ireland last weekend, while Scotland will target further success following an impressive Calcutta Cup win against England.
Here, the PA news agency looks at some key talking points heading into the Principality Stadium encounter.
Wales need a rapid response
It is 15 years since Wales lost their opening two games of a Six Nations campaign, but an in-form Scotland are tipped by many to inflict further misery on Wayne Pivac’s team after a dismal 29-7 defeat in Ireland last weekend. Wales simply must deliver a response, or any hope of them mounting a meaningful title defence will effectively disappear without trace. Head coach Pivac has credit in the bank following last season’s tournament triumph, and injuries to several key players have not helped him this term, but Wales were abject in Dublin, and a 74,000-capacity Principality Stadium crowd will expect a huge improvement.
Scotland’s 20 years of hurt in Cardiff
Brendan Laney and Duncan Hodge kicked injury-time penalties to give Scotland a 27-22 victory in the Welsh capital on April 6, 2002 – and they have not won there since. Eight successive Six Nations defeats, a World Cup warm-up loss and an autumn international reversal – with a total of 251 points conceded – add up to a lengthy tale of woe. Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend was fly-half when Wales were defeated in just the third season of Six Nations rugby, with his team-mates including skipper Bryan Redpath, wing Kenny Logan and number eight Simon Taylor. Current form suggests a repeat outcome is on the cards.
Prove us wrong Scotland! 😬#guinnesssixnations #walvsco pic.twitter.com/yiI9t2qHCS
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 11, 2022
Finn Russell could cause havoc
Scotland’s fly-half magician does not require a second invitation to cast his spell on opposition teams, and Wales know he poses them an immense threat. The Welsh defence has had its issues this season, with 17 tries conceded in five Tests, including four against Ireland last Saturday when Garry Ringrose and company enjoyed a field day probing and exploiting space. Wales know they must tighten up defensively, but Russell’s confidence is sky-high following the Calcutta Cup success six days ago, and it could be a very long afternoon for Pivac’s men if he takes centre stage.
Dan Biggar joins Test rugby’s 100 club
Captain Biggar will clock up his 100th Test match appearance for Wales and the British and Irish Lions in Saturday’s game. He will become the ninth Welshman to achieve that feat, following Alun Wyn Jones, Gethin Jenkins, George North, Stephen Jones, Martyn Williams, Gareth Thomas, Adam Jones and Leigh Halfpenny, and it is another highlight during an outstanding international career that began when Wales played Canada in Cardiff more than 13 years ago. Wales centre Jonathan Davies will also reach three figures if he features off the replacements’ bench this weekend, and both players can expect rapturous acknowledgement.
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Forget deep-fried Mars bars… 👨⚕️#GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/yfER8I7Fhw
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 10, 2022
Breakdown battle an intriguing contest
Wales are fully aware of the threat posed to them by Scotland flanker Hamish Watson. Last season’s Six Nations player of the tournament has made a remarkable 163 tackles without missing one – a record for the competition – and he is sure to be at the heart of his team’s victory bid. The all-important breakdown contest will see Wales fielding two openside specialists against him in Taine Basham and new cap Jac Morgan, and it will be fascinating to see whether the master or apprentices come out on top.
Comments on RugbyPass
It was a let’s-see-what-you're-made-of type of a game. The Bulls do look good when the opposition allows them to, but Munster shut them down, and they could not find a way through. Jake should be very worried about their chances in the competition.
2 Go to commentsHats off to Fabian for a very impressive journey to date. Is it as ‘uniquely unlikely’ as Rugby Pass suggests, given Anton Segner’s journey at the Blues?
1 Go to commentsSad that this was not confirmed. When administrators talk about expanding the game they evidently don’t include pathways to the top tier of rugby for teams outside of the old boys club. Rugby deserves better, and certainly Georgia does.
1 Go to commentsLions might take him on if they move on Van Rooyen but I doubt he will want to go back, might consider it a step backwards for himself. Sharks would take him on but if Plumtree goes on to win the challenge cup they will keep him on. Also sharks showing some promising signs recently. Stormers and Bulls are stable and Springboks are already filled up. Quality coach though, interesting to see where he ends up
1 Go to commentsAnd the person responsible for creating a culture of accountability is?
2 Go to commentsMore useless words from Ben Smith -Please get another team to write about. SA really dont need your input, it suck anyway.
264 Go to commentsThis disgraceful episode must result in management and coach team sackings. A new manager with worse results than previous and the coaching staff need to coached. Awful massacre led by donkeys.
1 Go to commentsInteresting article with one glaring mistake. This sentence: “And between the top four nations right now, Ireland, France, South Africa, and New Zealand…” should read: And between the top four nations right now, South Africa, Ireland, New Zealand and France…”. Get it right wistful thinkers, its not that hard.
23 Go to commentsHow did Penny get the gig anyway?
2 Go to commentsNice write up Nick and I would have agreed a week ago. However as you would know Cale & co got absolutely monstered by the Blues back row of Sotutu, Ioane and Papaliti and not all of these 3 are guaranteed a start in the Black jumper. He may need to put some kgs before stepping up, Spring tour? After the week end Joe will be a bit more restless. Will need to pick a mobile tough pack for Wales and hope England does the right thing and bashes the ABs. I like your last paragraph but I would bring Swinton, Hannigan into the 6 role and Bobby V to 8
21 Go to commentsThe Crusaders can still get in to the Play Off’s. The imminent return of outstanding captain Scott Barrett and his All Black team mate Codie Taylor will be a big boost.There are others like Tamaiti Williams too. Two home games coming up. Fellow Crusader fans get there and support these guys. I will be.
1 Go to commentsCant get more Wellington than Proctor.
2 Go to commentsWhy not let the media decide. Like how they choose the head coach. Like most of us we entrust the rugby system to choose. A rugby team includes the coaches. It's collective.
13 Go to commentsHi NIck, I have been very impressed with him and he seems a smart player who can see opportunities which Bobby V _(who must be an international 6_) doesn’t see or have the speed to take advantage of. If he continues to improve and puts on 5kgs then he could be a great 8. He is a bit taller than Keiran Reid at 1.93m and 111 kgs, so his skill set fits his body size and who knows where it will lead. I hope the spate of Achilles tendon issues have been dealt with by the S&C people. It’s been a very long time since Mark Loane and Kefu stood out at 8. The question is will we be able to hold onto him, if he does make it he will be pretty hot property. I disagree with the idea of letting them go to the Northern Hemisphere and then bring them back.
21 Go to commentsBilly Fulton 🤣🤣🤣🤣 garrrmon not even close
13 Go to commentsDoes the AI take into account refs? hahaha Seriously why not have two on field refs to avoid bias?
23 Go to commentsVern challenging this Blues side might be the edge they need to fulfill their potential. Convincing results from strong D and strong carries are hard to argue against.
1 Go to commentsLove seems to add a strong back field defense with speed to close the gap and tackle to his ability to attack, kick and pass (an accurate long pass). This sets him an edge over some of the other names - JRK in particular. Has to be said that Jordan and Stevenson have also been exposed defensively while Love has yet to face test match intensity. Spoilt for choice.
1 Go to commentsHe’s strung together a few strong seasons, I’d like to see him in the ABs and build some depth along with Reiko and ALB. Levi Aumua hasn’t taken the step we hoped to see but time yet.
2 Go to commentsWhere has our good friend Pecos gone!? Similar place to the Crusaders D, the abyss.
4 Go to comments