Guinness Six Nations Preview: Scotland Vs. Wales: Team News & Prediction
Guinness Six Nations Preview: Scotland Vs. Wales: Team News & Prediction
Scotland host Wales in a crucial Six Nations clash. Can Scotland bounce back, or will Wales end its losing streak? Full preview, team news and prediction.
Round 4 of the 2025 Guinness Six Nations sees one of the more underrated fixtures in this year's Championship has become all the more intriguing given as Scotland, looking to get its campaign back on track, hosts a wounded, yet improving, Welsh side.
- Subscribe To FloRugby To Watch Super Rugby Pacific In 2024-25
- Super Rugby Pacific Round 1 | Three Key Takeaways | Strong Aussie Start
- 100 Best Rugby Players In The World: Here's The Full List
- The 25 Best Rugby Clubs In The World On March 5 | FloRugby Rankings
Still searching for its first win of the Championship, Matt Sherratt's side travels to Edinburgh in pursuit of the Doddie Weir Cup.
Scotland, on the flipside, is looking for a bounce-back performance on the back of consecutive losses to Ireland and England, respectively.
With the teams named, here is a preview of the upcoming match at British Gas Murrayfield.
Team News
Gregor Townsend has welcomed back electric winger Darcy Graham, who slots straight into the starting XV after recovering from a head injury.
Blair Kinghorn and Duhan van der Merwe complete a dynamic back three, while Huw Jones and Tom Jordan link up in midfield.
Finn Russell and Ben White continue their influential halfback partnership.
Up front, Jack Dempsey, Rory Darge and Jamie Ritchie form a combative back row.
Jonny Gray and Grant Gilchrist provide grunt in the second row, while Zander Fagerson, Dave Cherry and Pierre Schoeman complete the starting pack.
On the bench, Glasgow’s George Horne and Kyle Rowe provide backline cover in a traditional 5-3 split. Prop Rory Sutherland also makes his return to the matchday squad.
For Wales, interim coach Matt Sherratt has stuck with the same starting XV that pushed Ireland hard in their recent outing.
That means Blair Murray, Tom Rogers and Ellis Mee continue in the back three, while Max Llewellyn and Ben Thomas form the midfield axis.
The experienced Gareth Anscombe and Tomos Williams start at halfback.
Up front, Taulupe Faletau, Jac Morgan and Tommy Reffell will be tasked with winning the breakdown battle, while Dafydd Jenkins and Will Rowlands continue their second-row partnership.
There is, however, one notable change on the bench, with former captain Dewi Lake returning after injury. His impact in the later stages could be crucial.
Key Matchup
Scotland’s ability to dominate territory and exploit Wales’ defensive frailties out wide will be key.
The visitors have struggled to contain explosive runners in this year’s Championship, and Scotland’s back three of Graham, Van der Merwe and Kinghorn pose a significant threat.
To limit the lethal Scottish attack, Wales will need to press its at-times vulnerable pack, which struggled to contain the power of the Irish and English packs in Round 2 and Round 3.
Wales, on the other hand, was in resurgent form against Ireland, with Nicky Smith and WillGriff John winning four scrum penalties in the first half against the reigning champions.
The breakdown battle will also be decisive. Rory Darge has been immense for Scotland, but he faces a tough challenge from the Welsh back row, particularly Jac Morgan, who has been one of their standout performers.
Prediction
Scotland will look to impose itself early, using its powerful carriers to get over the gainline. If Russell and White can control the tempo, the hosts should create enough opportunities to keep the scoreboard ticking over.
Wales, while improving, still is on a 15-game losing streak, and the team's confidence remains fragile.
The Welsh may stay in the fight early on, but Scotland’s superior firepower and home advantage should prove decisive.
Expect a spirited Welsh resistance, but Scotland has the tools to pull away in the second half. Scotland by 12.
Starting Lineups
Scotland
Blair Kinghorn; Darcy Graham, Huw Jones, Tom Jordan, Duhan van der Merwe; Finn Russell, Ben White; Pierre Schoeman, Dave Cherry, Zander Fagerson; Jonny Gray, Grant Gilchrist; Jamie Ritchie, Rory Darge, Jack Dempsey.
Replacements: Rory Sutherland, George Turner, Javan Sebastian, Scott Cummings, Matt Fagerson, George Horne, Kyle Rowe, Ben Healy.
Wales
Blair Murray; Tom Rogers, Max Llewellyn, Ben Thomas, Ellis Mee; Gareth Anscombe, Tomos Williams; WillGriff John, Elliot Dee, Nicky Smith; Dafydd Jenkins, Will Rowlands; Tommy Reffell, Jac Morgan, Taulupe Faletau.
Replacements: Dewi Lake, Gareth Thomas, Keiron Assiratti, Teddy Williams, Aaron Wainwright, Rhodri Williams, Jarrod Evans, Joe Roberts.
How To Watch Rugby Matches In The United States On FloRugby
FloRugby and FloSports also are the U.S. home to:
FloRugby also is home to match archives and match replays.