SM
Man City vs. Brighton: 8 hrs 59 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews
Six Nations | Group Stage
Mar 9, 2019 at 2.15pm UK
 
Scotland
11-18
Wales
Graham (58')
FT
Adams (13'), Davies (30')

Warren Gatland keeps Wales changes to a minimum for Scotland clash

:Headline: Warren Gatland keeps Wales changes to a minimum for Scotland clash: ID:352407: from db_amp
Wales are looking to avenge defeat of two years ago against Scotland at Murrayfield.

Warren Gatland says it was "a fairly straightforward selection" after making one change to his starting line-up for Saturday's Guinness Six Nations clash against Scotland.

Ospreys lock Adam Beard replaces Cory Hill, who will miss the rest of the tournament after suffering an ankle injury during Wales' 21-13 victory over England 10 days ago.

Scarlets forward Jake Ball takes Beard's place on the bench, with Gatland announcing the team for Murrayfield 48 hours earlier than initially planned.

Adam Beard will start for Wales (Steven Paston/PA)

Although full-back Leigh Halfpenny continued his comeback for the Scarlets three days ago after suffering concussion in November, Gatland has retained Ospreys centre Owen Watkin as the outside back on replacement duty.

"It was a fairly straightforward selection," Wales head coach Gatland said. "After that performance against England they deserved the opportunity to back up.

"I think Leigh is still getting some games under his belt and getting some confidence back. He was good last weekend.

"It's a little bit unfair on Owen Watkin to leave him out as he's been doing a good job for us. It was a very simple selection meeting in terms of not a lot of discussion around selection.

"We've picked the same team apart from the two enforced changes. We didn't talk about other players potentially coming in."

Wales are chasing a 13th successive victory, having not been beaten since the midway point of last season's Six Nations when Ireland toppled them 37-27 in Dublin.

If they beat Scotland and then see off Ireland in Cardiff seven days later it would secure the title and a Grand Slam in Gatland's final Six Nations campaign at the helm.

Although they lost to Scotland in Edinburgh on their last visit two years ago, Wales won the four previous Murrayfield encounters.

And they will face a Scotland side defeated in their last two Six Nations games this season, losing to Ireland and France.

Gatland added: "There is no doubt that their (Scotland's) record at Murrayfield has been very impressive, and they are hard to beat there for any team.

(PA Graphics)

"They will be disappointed and hurting from that performance last week against France in Paris. We are well aware of their threat.

"The (Wales) players that were involved two years ago (against Scotland) were pretty disappointed with that result and that performance. We've got a big challenge on our hands for a couple of reasons.

"One is to avenge that defeat from two years ago, but we've also got the bigger picture in mind of trying to win the Six Nations.

"We are a team that is definitely maturing. They can go through phases in a game where we are under pressure, but that doesn't seem to rock them.

Wales are on a fine run of form in the Six Nations (Paul Harding/PA)

"They know that they will get an opportunity at some stage in the game. The maturity in the team, not panicking and having that belief that they can come through and win a game.

"That's been massive for this team. I don't see any fear in their eyes or any trepidation.

"The way that they are preparing, there is a confidence within the squad surrounding their own ability, and they have belief in themselves and each other.

"That makes it easy from a coaching perspective because the players are taking on a huge amount of responsibility and preparing themselves and each other."

amp_article__352407 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-03-05 16:38:14:
html db last update - 2019-03-05 16:38:14 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about Warren Gatland

Click here for more stories about Scotland

Share this article now:
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool29217169274270
2Arsenal281510352242855
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest28156745331251
4Chelsea28147753361749
5Manchester CityMan City28145953381547
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle2814594738947
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton28121064640646
8Aston Villa2912984145-445
9Bournemouth28128847341344
10Fulham2811984138342
11Crystal Palace2810993633339
12Brentford28115124844438
13Tottenham HotspurSpurs281041455411434
14Manchester UnitedMan Utd2897123440-634
15Everton2871293135-433
16West Ham UnitedWest Ham2896133248-1633
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2865173857-1923
18Ipswich TownIpswich2838172658-3217
19Leicester CityLeicester2845192562-3717
20Southampton2823232068-489
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .