Wales vs Scotland. The Mediocrity Bowl Match Thread.

penguin · Post by **penguin** » Wed Mar 11, 2020 12:00 pm

When: Who the f*ck knows.

TV Coverage: BBC

Who:

Wales

Scotland

Where: Principality Stadium

Teams:

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)

15. Stuart Hogg (Exeter Chiefs) – 76 caps

14. Sean Maitland (Saracens) – 48 caps
13. Chris Harris (Gloucester) – 18 caps
12. Sam Johnson (Glasgow Warriors) – 13 caps
11. Blair Kinghorn (Edinburgh) – 21 caps

10. Adam Hastings (Glasgow Warriors) – 20 caps
9. Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors) – 32 caps

1. Rory Sutherland (Edinburgh) – 7 caps
2. Stuart McInally (Edinburgh) – 37 caps
3. Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) – 29 caps
4. Sam Skinner (Exeter Chiefs) – 7 caps
5. Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh) – 42 caps
6. Jamie Ritchie (Edinburgh) – 18 caps
7. Hamish Watson (Edinburgh) – 32 caps
8. Magnus Bradbury (Edinburgh) – 14 caps

Substitutes:

16. Fraser Brown (Glasgow Warriors) – 50 caps
17. Allan Dell (London Irish) – 32 caps
18. Willem Nel (Edinburgh) – 38 caps
19. Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors) – 12 caps
20. Matt Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) – 6 caps
21. George Horne (Glasgow Warriors) – 13 caps
22. Duncan Weir (Worcester Warriors) – 28 caps
23. Kyle Steyn (Glasgow Warriors) – 1 cap

Obligatory Katherine Jenkins picture

Steamin Beamin · Post by **Steamin Beamin** » Wed Mar 11, 2020 12:51 pm

Wales by 6+

There's a fairly large contingent of my mates and some family coming down for this, so I'm still looking forward to it.

Lorthern Nights · Post by **Lorthern Nights** » Wed Mar 11, 2020 12:53 pm

If it remains on I will be there too.

Be nice if we could sneak a win and get an away victory on someone other than Italy.

I like haggis · Post by **I like haggis** » Wed Mar 11, 2020 12:56 pm

Looking forward to this one. Wales improving (is it improving or just more expansive?) attack Vs Scotland's improving defence.

Quite funny a year ago Wales were to kick the corners and play risk averse rugby whilst Scotland attack from everywhere and now the exact reverse.

Let's hope low risk continues to win the day in this fixture.

LandOTurk · Post by **LandOTurk** » Wed Mar 11, 2020 1:13 pm

Could go anyway, Wales slight favourites.

Miguel Indurain · Post by **Miguel Indurain** » Wed Mar 11, 2020 1:17 pm

Usually this tie produces some great rugby

chart_monkey · Post by **chart_monkey** » Wed Mar 11, 2020 2:47 pm

Heart says Scotland, head (and money) says Wales.

Encouraged by the fact that Scotland has better defence now, that the scrum is going well, we're not getting bullied in the pack, and also that Wales are now losing close games that they previously would have won (even at home).

But still think Wales will win - too experienced, great back row and they have Navidi back (he showed up really well against England). I think it might come down to one try due to a tiny defensive error (by Scotland, obvs).

A win away would be very useful for the rankings (& hence WC pools). If Scotland win, Wales will be defending 8th place against Japan in the Autumn (I think).

Frodder · Post by **Frodder** » Wed Mar 11, 2020 2:59 pm

I predict this match is going to be tremendous.

I also predict at least 2 YC's

BlackMac · Post by **BlackMac** » Wed Mar 11, 2020 3:36 pm

Probably need to win by 30+ to ensure at least one on the Lions tour.

JM2K6 · Post by **JM2K6** » Wed Mar 11, 2020 3:39 pm

BlackMac wrote:Probably need to win by 30+ to ensure at least one on the Lions tour.

Nah. The doc'll go regardless.

Da iawn diolch · Post by **Da iawn diolch** » Wed Mar 11, 2020 3:41 pm

I'd really like this to be a demonstration that last weekend represented the start of a Scottish renaissance, rather than just being a flash in the pan.

Scotland-Wales games were always great battles in years gone by, but while Gatland was at the helm we exposed the Scots' inability to break down an organised rush defence. So much so that Scotland only beat the Welsh once in the 12 years of his tenure.

However, I'm also acutely aware of the fact that Scotland's record on the road under Toonie is incredibly poor, and that Wales won't crumble away like the French did last weekend under pressure.

I envisage a spirited start from Scotland, before the game settles down into a pattern of kicking and counter-attacking.

Wales should eventually have the composure to pull away in the second half, and will win by 13 points. Wales won't score 4 tries, and we'll both end the 6N on the same points - which seems about fair.

Only because the alternative doesn't bear thinking about.

frillage · Post by **frillage** » Wed Mar 11, 2020 6:10 pm

If BRs don’t change, Ritchie/Watson/Haining v Moriaty/Tips/Navidi will be a belter.

Weather looks decent and would assume choice is roof open.

New guy · Post by **New guy** » Wed Mar 11, 2020 7:31 pm

The scottish posters seem more up for this than we do.

Hopefully the same is not true of the players.

Frodder · Post by **Frodder** » Wed Mar 11, 2020 9:18 pm

New guy wrote:The scottish posters seem more up for this than we do.

Hopefully the same is not true of the players.

We're still hugging each other and singing sad songs. The outlook is not bright

Druid · Post by **Druid** » Wed Mar 11, 2020 9:47 pm

Is it still open to the public?

Red Revolution · Post by **Red Revolution** » Wed Mar 11, 2020 10:47 pm

Druid wrote:Is it still open to the public?

If it isn't the lounge has just about finished it's refurb from the 3rd-4th play off.

Druid · Post by **Druid** » Wed Mar 11, 2020 10:57 pm

Just wondering as "My contact" was saying there was a rumour of some pandemic.
Must have been mistaken.

henry · Post by **henry** » Wed Mar 11, 2020 10:59 pm

BlackMac wrote:Probably need to win by 30+ to ensure at least one on the Lions tour.

Winning away from home by any score may well demonstrate the odd Scottish player is worthy of selection.

But don’t hold your breath. And we’ve done fine without you.

henry · Post by **henry** » Wed Mar 11, 2020 11:00 pm

Da iawn diolch wrote:I'd really like this to be a demonstration that last weekend represented the start of a Scottish renaissance, rather than just being a flash in the pan.

Scotland-Wales games were always great battles in years gone by, but while Gatland was at the helm we exposed the Scots' inability to break down an organised rush defence. So much so that Scotland only beat the Welsh once in the 12 years of his tenure.

However, I'm also acutely aware of the fact that Scotland's record on the road under Toonie is incredibly poor, and that Wales won't crumble away like the French did last weekend under pressure.

I envisage a spirited start from Scotland, before the game settles down into a pattern of kicking and counter-attacking.

Wales should eventually have the composure to pull away in the second half, and will win by 13 points. Wales won't score 4 tries, and we'll both end the 6N on the same points - which seems about fair.

Only because the alternative doesn't bear thinking about.

Fun fact - Scotland haven’t won in Cardiff since 2002.

Caley_Red · Post by **Caley_Red** » Thu Mar 12, 2020 1:20 am

Looking forward to this one.

Wales, as the home team, naturally start as favourites but the shift in playing styles recently will mean a fairly close game, in my view.

YOYO · Post by **YOYO** » Thu Mar 12, 2020 1:22 am

Why is this match going ahead? It looks like UK is very blasé about the pandemic.

LandOTurk · Post by **LandOTurk** » Thu Mar 12, 2020 1:34 am

YOYO wrote:Why is this match going ahead? It looks like UK is very blasé about the pandemic.

Did you not know, hot toddies are the cure for covid. The away fans will be bringing the medicine for all.

YOYO · Post by **YOYO** » Thu Mar 12, 2020 1:37 am

LandOTurk wrote:
YOYO wrote:Why is this match going ahead? It looks like UK is very blasé about the pandemic.
Did you not know, hot toddies are the cure for covid. The away fans will be bringing the medicine for all.

I suppose enjoy the normality before things start to resemble the zombie film “28 Days Later.” Well that’s how the Italian’s are painting the before and after. The sh1t happens rapidly.

slick · Post by **slick** » Thu Mar 12, 2020 9:30 am

YOYO wrote:Why is this match going ahead? It looks like UK is very blasé about the pandemic.

This government meeting today may change things. Rumour is that schools etc may close but the games can still go ahead which seems a bit odd. Hope it does go ahead but must be in a bit of doubt now.

slick · Post by **slick** » Thu Mar 12, 2020 9:31 am

henry wrote:
Da iawn diolch wrote:I'd really like this to be a demonstration that last weekend represented the start of a Scottish renaissance, rather than just being a flash in the pan.

Scotland-Wales games were always great battles in years gone by, but while Gatland was at the helm we exposed the Scots' inability to break down an organised rush defence. So much so that Scotland only beat the Welsh once in the 12 years of his tenure.

However, I'm also acutely aware of the fact that Scotland's record on the road under Toonie is incredibly poor, and that Wales won't crumble away like the French did last weekend under pressure.

I envisage a spirited start from Scotland, before the game settles down into a pattern of kicking and counter-attacking.

Wales should eventually have the composure to pull away in the second half, and will win by 13 points. Wales won't score 4 tries, and we'll both end the 6N on the same points - which seems about fair.

Only because the alternative doesn't bear thinking about.
Fun fact - Scotland haven’t won in Cardiff since 2002.

Henry, this is the Scotland game, not Ireland or England, we won't rise to you Welsh trolls.

Frodder · Post by **Frodder** » Thu Mar 12, 2020 9:51 am

slick wrote:
YOYO wrote:Why is this match going ahead? It looks like UK is very blasé about the pandemic.
This government meeting today may change things. Rumour is that schools etc may close but the games can still go ahead which seems a bit odd. Hope it does go ahead but must be in a bit of doubt now.

Let's just play the game and we can't our crap 6Ns to sleep

Smutley · Post by **Smutley** » Thu Mar 12, 2020 10:57 am

Hope it goes ahead. On paper it should be a close game, our results been very similar this 6N. Both sides capable of 80s minutes of rugby. Home advantage should suggest Wales, but Scotland definitely have a good chance of putting that record to bed.

Weir to come on and slot the winning DG.

Edinburgh01 · Post by **Edinburgh01** » Thu Mar 12, 2020 11:04 am

YOYO wrote:Why is this match going ahead? It looks like UK is very blasé about the pandemic.

Or taking an appropriately graduated response.

After the WHO announcement yesterday, one of the news programmes had a senior WHO doctor on. The presenter essentially invited her to say the UK was not doing enough, her response was essentially that we are fine.

People who have dealt with these things before, and who unlike us are subject matter experts, are making appropriate decisions. The WHO doctor believes the UK is in a good place right now, and is better placed than most to deal with any escalation.

There seems to be a bit of a trend of experts saying be sensible but don't panic, and the media saying PANIC, PANIC.

The WHO doctor did specifically address large gatherings such as sports events when asked. She did not agree they should be automatically banned as long as appropriate risk assessments are done and acted on.

sockwithaticket · Post by **sockwithaticket** » Thu Mar 12, 2020 11:15 am

YOYO wrote:Why is this match going ahead? It looks like UK is very blasé about the pandemic.

At my dad's work some bint came in despite her husband being ordered home to self-isolate after encountering someone who was confirmed as having contracted Covid19. It's going to spread regardless of whether a rugby match gets played because people are f**king stupid.

slick · Post by **slick** » Thu Mar 12, 2020 11:23 am

YOYO wrote:Why is this match going ahead? It looks like UK is very blasé about the pandemic.

If only we had one, or maybe even (at last count) 7 threads on here to discuss it.

tc27 · Post by **tc27** » Thu Mar 12, 2020 11:26 am

Would be nice to go ahead not least to have a bit of normality before we enter whats likely to be a strange and difficult period.

slick · Post by **slick** » Thu Mar 12, 2020 11:27 am

It has all the makings of a great game.

As someone else said, the battle in the back row will be great as will the 2nd row now that we have some players with a bit of aggression rather than just a high tackle count.

I don't think anyone is quite sure where our success in the front row has come from this year, but that could be quite crucial.

Not seeing much difference in the backs, but in Hogg and Williams two of the 6N game breakers.

I think home advantage will see Wales win, but we need at the very least a good display after what seems like a slow building process in this 6N.

penguin · Post by **penguin** » Thu Mar 12, 2020 12:57 pm

15. Stuart Hogg (Exeter Chiefs) – 76 caps

14. Sean Maitland (Saracens) – 48 caps
13. Chris Harris (Gloucester) – 18 caps
12. Sam Johnson (Glasgow Warriors) – 13 caps
11. Blair Kinghorn (Edinburgh) – 21 caps

10. Adam Hastings (Glasgow Warriors) – 20 caps
9. Ali Price (Glasgow Warriors) – 32 caps

1. Rory Sutherland (Edinburgh) – 7 caps
2. Stuart McInally (Edinburgh) – 37 caps
3. Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) – 29 caps
4. Sam Skinner (Exeter Chiefs) – 7 caps
5. Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh) – 42 caps
6. Jamie Ritchie (Edinburgh) – 18 caps
7. Hamish Watson (Edinburgh) – 32 caps
8. Magnus Bradbury (Edinburgh) – 14 caps

Substitutes:

16. Fraser Brown (Glasgow Warriors) – 50 caps
17. Allan Dell (London Irish) – 32 caps
18. Willem Nel (Edinburgh) – 38 caps
19. Scott Cummings (Glasgow Warriors) – 12 caps
20. Matt Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors) – 6 caps
21. George Horne (Glasgow Warriors) – 13 caps
22. Duncan Weir (Worcester Warriors) – 28 caps
23. Kyle Steyn (Glasgow Warriors) – 1 cap

penguin · Post by **penguin** » Thu Mar 12, 2020 1:01 pm

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)

henry · Post by **henry** » Thu Mar 12, 2020 1:12 pm

slick wrote:
henry wrote:
Da iawn diolch wrote:I'd really like this to be a demonstration that last weekend represented the start of a Scottish renaissance, rather than just being a flash in the pan.

Scotland-Wales games were always great battles in years gone by, but while Gatland was at the helm we exposed the Scots' inability to break down an organised rush defence. So much so that Scotland only beat the Welsh once in the 12 years of his tenure.

However, I'm also acutely aware of the fact that Scotland's record on the road under Toonie is incredibly poor, and that Wales won't crumble away like the French did last weekend under pressure.

I envisage a spirited start from Scotland, before the game settles down into a pattern of kicking and counter-attacking.

Wales should eventually have the composure to pull away in the second half, and will win by 13 points. Wales won't score 4 tries, and we'll both end the 6N on the same points - which seems about fair.

Only because the alternative doesn't bear thinking about.
Fun fact - Scotland haven’t won in Cardiff since 2002.
Henry, this is the Scotland game, not Ireland or England, we won't rise to you Welsh trolls.

Well, I tried.

camroc1 · Post by **camroc1** » Thu Mar 12, 2020 1:16 pm

sockwithaticket wrote:
YOYO wrote:Why is this match going ahead? It looks like UK is very blasé about the pandemic.
At my dad's work some bint came in despite her husband being ordered home to self-isolate after encountering someone who was confirmed as having contracted Covid19. It's going to spread regardless of whether a rugby match gets played because people are f**king stupid.

The entire point is to delay the peak as much as possible so that health facilities aren't overrun.

Crash_12 · Post by **Crash_12** » Thu Mar 12, 2020 1:22 pm

Webb

We’re aiming to bore the Scots to death and try to tempt them offside at the ruck, then.

Edinburgh01 · Post by **Edinburgh01** » Thu Mar 12, 2020 1:46 pm

slick wrote:It has all the makings of a great game.

As someone else said, the battle in the back row will be great as will the 2nd row now that we have some players with a bit of aggression rather than just a high tackle count.

I don't think anyone is quite sure where our success in the front row has come from this year, but that could be quite crucial.

Not seeing much difference in the backs, but in Hogg and Williams two of the 6N game breakers.

I think home advantage will see Wales win, but we need at the very least a good display after what seems like a slow building process in this 6N.

My son is a tighthead one of whose best mates is a Scotland prop. Apparently last season Fagerson finally got the message that he had loads of potential but was not going to realise it unless he buckled down to improve his scrummaging. The improvements over the last two seasons are testament to how hard he has worked.

Sutherland is a man on a mission. Recovery from a horror injury has lit a fire under him, and also, it appears he was carrying an injury for a long time before it finally gave way catastrophically. It appears we never saw him at his best before, but are now.

Derwyn · Post by **Derwyn** » Thu Mar 12, 2020 1:49 pm

penguin wrote: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)

Meh lineup for a meh game. Call it off.

Smutley · Post by **Smutley** » Thu Mar 12, 2020 2:45 pm

Edinburgh01 wrote:Sutherland is a man on a mission. Recovery from a horror injury has lit a fire under him, and also, it appears he was carrying an injury for a long time before it finally gave way catastrophically. It appears we never saw him at his best before, but are now.

He's bested everyone he's come up against. Not sure whether he or Ritchie is my man of the 6N so far.

I see the Welsh are throwing in a new cap at 3