Scotland v Wales 1425hrs Saturday 25th February
A game with a bit of edge, which we all love. Scotland, having not beaten Wales for a few years, would love to get one over their Celtic cousins. Some still remember recent encounters where Hogg was controversially red carded after tackling Biggar in the air, or Davies scoring a try from a clear forward pass (I do anyway). Both teams need a win to have any hope of putting pressure on England, with the loser facing another season of mediocrity.
Wales have announced their squad early:
Leigh Halfpenny (Toulon); George North (Northampton), Jonathan Davies (Scarlets), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Liam Williams (Scarlets); Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Rhys Webb (Ospreys); Rob Evans (Scarlets), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys, capt), Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Ross Moriarty (Gloucester).
Replacements: Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Nicky Smith (Ospreys), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Luke Charteris (Bath), Taulupe Faletau (Bath), Gareth Davies (Scarlets), Sam Davies (Ospreys), Jamie Roberts (Harlequins)
Scotland, having lost Laidlaw and Strauss for the rest of the tournament, are still pontificating on scrum half and back row replacements (and captain) before announcing their squad.
The game will inevitably be won up front, with Wales appearing to have the edge in the front three over the fragile Scottish row, although Scotland did gain parity with Ireland in the second half of their game, and most teams will struggle up front against France's 900kg+ pack.
At the breakdown, it could be titanic, with a re-vitalised Warburton and Tipuric against Barclay (the Scarlet) and Hamish Watson, who appears to have come of age in the tournament (and who BOD tipped to go on Lions tour). Out wide, Russell and Biggar will go (literally) head to head, very different styles but both effective and extremely tough competitors.
Scotland's new centre pairing of Dunbar and Jones (the Stormer) is maturing nicely, but will be severely tested against Williams and Davies, and in the back three, there could be fireworks, with North, back fit again, alongside Halfpenny and Williams, coming up against Hogg, Seymour and Maitland.
My hunch is that Barclay will captain Scotland, the scrum halves will fight, Wyn Jones will have a stormer but that the home team will nick it by a score. It will be a great spectacle whatever the outcome...
Update Saturday of game:
Mmm, well got the captain right but not much else. Reid in for Dell to shore up front row, Hardie in for Watson, to bring a bit more physicality to back row. I saw Watson compete quite nicely up front and on the floor with the Irish back row so not sure I agree. Hardie not played much rugby and has a history of concussion like North. Anyway to have a guy on the bench in such great form is a plus. Wilson in for Strauss which will produce a titanic battle at 8 as although Wilson not as big as Moriarty he is nasty and has form. Finally Visser in for Maitland, which is not a bad swap but a shame for the Kilted Kiwi as he was in the form of his life. But why play first choice guys on their week off #thanksSarries it is just mind-boggling. Anyway awesome game in prospect and expect tries.
