Scotland showdown!

Okay so we are just over 24 hours away from the game tomorrow. Scotland will be looking to lick their wounds and re-build after their morale-crushing loss to England last week, and Wales will want to carry on with the momentum from the rousing comeback against the Irish. Traditionally, the Wales-Scotland games are tough, with emphasis on who's pack can out-muscle the other. But I think this year,  things will be different.

We all know about the strength in Wales' back-line, and if Halfpenny is given the kicking duties, they should be as potent as they can possibly be. With Scotland, they have exciting young players coming to the fore. Max Evans is a tricky winger, who is a threat when he has ground to run. Scrum-halves Chris Cusiter and Mike Blair are two of the best in the tournament, and have assured hands and quick delivery speed. The biggest boost though is Greg Laidlaw coming in for the now retired Dan Parks. He has been in scintillating form for Edinburgh, and put in a good shift against England last week. Though coach Andy Robinson has neglected the option of an all-Edinburgh half back pairing, with Blair on the bench, Laidlaw could be the man to get the Scottish attacks up and running.

All Wales' changes are up front. Gethin Jenkins and Dan Lydiate are back, replacing Rhys Gill, who is not in the match-day squad, and the suspended Bradley Davies, who is banned for the whole tournament. Captain Sam Warburton has shaken off a dead-leg to play at 7, and Ryan Jones has been moved to the second row alongside Ian Evans, while Lydiate will play in his familiar number 6 spot.

Though I think Wales will win, it will not be as easy as some predicted. Warren Gatland and the players all came out and said that they can't get complacent, and though they are saying the right things, it is often Wales' undoing. If everything goes to plan though, I can see it being a not entirely comfortable victory.

Wales:

Backs: Halfpenny; Cuthbert, J Davies, Roberts, North; Priestland, Phillips.
Forwards: Jenkins, Bennett, A Jones, R Jones, Evans, Lydiate, Warburton (c), Faletau.
Replacements: Owens, James, Reed, Powell, L Williams, Hook, S Williams.

Scotland:

Backs: R Lamont; Jones, De Luca, S Lamont, Evans; Laidlaw, Cusiter.
Forwards: Jacobson, Ford (c), Cross, Gray, Hamilton, Strokosch, Rennie, Denton.
Replacements: Lawson, Kalman, Kellock, Barclay, Blair, Weir, Hogg.

Dewch ar Cymru!