Scotland vs Wales - Preview

51-3. That is a scoreline that hurts. Hogg's stupid red card ruined the contest last year, but the Scots come back smarter, stronger, in-form and against a Wales side with one plan. If they match the physicality that the Welsh bring, expect the Murrayfield crowd to be roaring on Sunday. It should be the game of the weekend, Wales out to prove themselves and Scotland setting new heights for themselves. 

Blair Cowan is going to have to repeat his heroics of last week in order for the Scottish to stand a chance. Scotland need to get as much ball as possible to limit the Welsh and to let their own backs loose, namely the likes of Hogg, Visser and Dunbar, with Russell looking to run the ball as often as possible. They will be wary of the threat that Liam Williams poses after last year, although I do think George North would have been very useful in this game, despite his poor performance against the English last week. It will be Williams and Roberts that pose the main threats, along with Halfpenny's boot and Warburton's work rate, and the Scots will have to be wary of this. Physicality will take care of Roberts, Cowan and Harley will look to nullify Warburton and Dan Lydiate, who disappointed last weekend. If the Scots can keep their discipline then Halfpenny won't have the opportunities he had against the English.  Faletau is a man who can cause problems, and I don't think the Scots have much of an answer to him, despite how good Johnnie Beattie is.

A Welsh win is expected, even at Murrayfield, but it should be a thrilling encounter and one that could spring a surprise. I wouldn't be shocked to see the Scots come away with victory, but given that the physicality of the Welsh is more than the Scots can handle and with Leigh Halfpenny to kick the extras off of penalties I can see Wales winning by 8 on a cold Scottish Sunday afternoon.