Wales v Scotland - Match Review
By Craig Muncey
February 12 2016
My thoughts on the match tomorrow, preview being put up earlier than usual as out and about tomorrow from an early time. Hope this puts you in the mood for the match, and wherever you are watching, enjoy.
Wales v Scotland - Match Review
Team News
Wales name an unchanged side from the team that drew out in Dublin last weekend. Therefore Liam Williams a late call up for the injured Gareth Anscombe, retains his place at 15, whilst Anscombe is fit enough to take his place on the replacement bench. Ireland coaching staff clearly felt that Gatland & Co were playing games on the late change to try to gain an advantage, Wales deny this, and maybe we will never know (or really care now as the game has gone). Dan Biggar has done very well to get himself fit for this match, as when he was replaced last week by Rhys Priestland, I fully expected him to miss a few weeks.
Scotland only make one change to the starting fifteen who started last week, Duncan Taylor the Saracens centre, starts in place of Matt Scott who is injured. Taylor normally plays at outside centre for Saracens but will start at inside centre tomorrow, he is a hard running under rated player in my opinion, with a decent offloading game, and Wales will need to keep an eye on him, especially playing alongside Mark Bennett, who runs good supporting lines and has an eye for the try line.
Back three for Scotland are decent, Stuart Hogg will be hoping for a better experience playing in Cardiff from last time he was here, Hogg is a very talented footballer, and has to be watched. Finn Russell will start at 10, and I am yet to be convinced he is a top international quality 10 player on a regular basis, so I am hoping Tipuric/Warburton can put some pressure on him. Russell has struggled this season to get a regular slot in the Glasgow side, who have on a few occassions, gone with Duncan Weir even when Russell is fit.
Scottish pack is a decent unit, with their all Edinburgh based front row, the Gray brothers in the second row, and a back row of John Barclay playing in an uncustomed position of 6, Dave Denton, who on his day can be a very strong ball carrier at 8, and John Hardie an old fashioned type 7.
Key Battles/Thoughts
Warren Gatland has come out in the press stating Wales need to be more direct in their backs attacking game, which he backed up with stats showing Jonny Sexton only made 2 tackles the whole match last weekend. So expect Jamie Roberts and Jon Davies running hard and straight into the areas that Finn Russell and the under sized centre in the land of giants, Mark Bennett, before Wales try to go wider. Last week, Wales went wide far too often laterally, which was compounded by poor passing and players not committing opposition players before offloading.
Jamie Roberts was immense in defence last week and his personal battle with Robbie Henshaw, was great viewing, but Wales will want more from Roberts this week in possession. Going to the forwards, and Rob Evans was outstanding in the first half in the scrum, ball carrying and in defence, and was clearly sent out with the message of you will be off before the hour mark give us everything you have. Evans will have his hands full with WP Nel, the Scottish tight head, who since starring in the recent World Cup has been getting rave reviews and is a very strong scrummager.
The second row battle will be intriguing, the Scottish Gray brothers are very good players, but can be inconsistent, Richie in particular. The Welsh combination will look to test them as much as possible, they two Scottish locks like to get out in open play, with ball in hand, so up to Wales to keep them in tight.
Back row battle as always will be a key battle, Wales have kept faith with the trio of Warburton, Faletau, who was outstanding last week, and Tipuric. Warburton I felt last week did not pay to his usual standard, however, he got stronger as the game went on, and due to recent game time we should not be too surprised at that.
Scottish back row have two players, who are strong over the ball and are very competent at slowing down oppositions ball in Barclay and Hardie. Denton has all the attributes to be a very good 8, is big, strong and is a good athlete, with a strong ball carrying game, but like a few Scottish players can be inconsistent.
Prediction
As I mention above, Scotland do have a very decent side and are well coached by Vern Cotter, but they can be inconsistent. Wales will need to start well, and if they can put Scotland under pressure early, will be interesting to see how they cope with that, with big runners getting into midfield such as North, Roberts and Davies etc testing out the Scottish defence.
I do feel some of the Scottish players blow hot and cold more than some other sides, Hogg, Maitland, Russell, Richie Gray and Dave Denton in particular, as a Welsh fan I hope they have one of those off days as if they are having a good day, those players can be very good.
Overall I believe Wales have too much firepower, and will record their first win of this 6 Nations.
Wales to win by 8.
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If Gareth Davies can get and then use quick ball, and not look around as though he is looking for his mate in the playground, we should be ok.
Quote:Yup
Good review. Roberts, Faletau and Evans were very good last week and yes we do have the firepower to win this game comfortably, however that firepower needs to fire up.
If Gareth Davies can get and then use quick ball, and not look around as though he is looking for his mate in the playground, we should be ok.
Thanks Yup. Yes thought Gareth Davies was poor last week, too hesitant and slow at the breakdown looked for the individual break too much. Thought Aled Davies had an outside chance of making the 23. Much better service from the base and a much better kicking game.