Clash of the Celts: Thousands of Welsh fans descend on Edinburgh
Thousands of Welsh rugby fans are set to descend on Edinburgh today ahead of the Six Nations clash against Scotland at Murrayfield. Wales will be hoping to get their campaign back on track after their 21-16 opening defeat to England last Friday.
Wales have not lost to Scotland during Warren Gatland's coaching reign, beating them seven times in succession.
Liam Williams, who's featuring in Gatland's starting XV after replacing a rested George North added:
"'I think the key is holding on to the ball, going through the phases and trying to create.
"Ideally, we want to bring about situations where we have high numbers - our backs - against low numbers - their forwards.
"If we can create mismatches, hopefully the backs will score some tries. That's the plan, anyway, with Leigh (Halfpenny) kicking his goals."
Wales have made one change to their side to face Scotland on Sunday with Aaron Jarvis coming into the starting squad in place of Samson Lee.
CAN WALES RESPOND?
Wales have experienced a difficult eight days on and off the pitch. Beaten at home by England one minute, engulfed by controversy surrounding star wing George North the next. North, although being symptom-free of concussion according to the Welsh Rugby Union, has been rested for the Murrayfield mission, but fall-out from two heavy blows he took to his head during the England game has been considerable across many different platforms, while the sport's governing body World Rugby also got involved.
BATTLE OF THE COACHES
An intriguing tactical duel awaits as New Zealanders Vern Cotter and Warren Gatland shape up for a first coaching head-to-head at Test level. Cotter, despite being barely halfway through his first season in charge, has already made an impact, overseeing a far more expansive approach by a Scotland team that previously found scoring tries difficult. Gatland, meanwhile, has seen Wales win three Six Nations titles during his reign...
With North has been taken out of the firing line, Williams is hoping to have a golden chance to shine on Sunday.
He said: "'It's huge for me. Hopefully, I will go out there and do a job.
"Having played a couple of games in the Six Nations last year and been picked on the bench last week, I am really looking forward to starting against Scotland."
SCOTTISH POWER
Scotland full-back Hogg made headlines for all the wrong reasons against Wales last season. He was sent off just 22 minutes into the Millennium Stadium contest for a late and dangerous tackle on Wales fly-half Dan Biggar, and 14-man Scotland collapsed spectacularly, crashing to a 51-3 defeat. Hogg made an impressive mark against France last weekend suggesting he's in the mood for payback.
HISTORY IS ON OUR SIDE
All the pre-match statistics are stacked in Wales' favour. They have beaten Scotland seven times in succession, with an average scoreline of 31-13 during that period, and the Scots can reflect on just one win from the last 12. The fixture's overall record has Wales on 68 victories and Scotland 48, with just three draws since 1883.
WALES TEAM TO PLAY SCOTLAND:
Leigh Halfpenny (Toulon), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), Jonathan Davies (ASM Clermont Auvergne), Jamie Roberts (Racing Metro), Liam Williams (Scarlets), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Richard Hibbard (Gloucester), Aaron Jarvis (Ospreys), Jake Ball (Scarlets), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Dan Lydiate (Ospreys), Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues, CAPT), Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons).Replacements: Scott Baldwin (Ospreys), Paul James (Bath Rugby), Scott Andrews (Cardiff Blues), Luke Charteris (Racing Metro), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Mike Phillips (Racing Metro), Rhys Priestland (Scarlets), Scott Williams (Scarlets).