The sixth edition of the Doddie Weir Cup takes place on Saturday as Scotland host Wales at BT Murrayfield in Round 2 of the Guinness Six Nations.
Returning to Edinburgh as heroes following victory over England at Twickenham last week, this year’s fixture against Wales will be an emotional one following the tragic passing of the Scotland legend in November.
Scotland will hope they can use that emotion to their advantage, looking to finally make it two wins from two having won their opening fixture in three of the past four years but losing in Round 2 each time.
Wales meanwhile will be hoping to bounce back following their 34-10 defeat to Ireland in Cardiff, as Warren Gatland’s return as head coach did not go to plan.
Last year saw Wales to a nervy 20-17 win thanks to Dan Biggar’s late drop goal in Cardiff, and it is expected to be a similarly tight affair this time around.
City Guide: Edinburgh
Scotland team news
Gregor Townsend has made one change to the Scotland 23 which made history at Twickenham, with Zander Fagerson returning to the front row.
The 54-cap prop will pack down alongside Pierre Schoeman and George Turner, with WP Nel dropping to the bench.
Vice-captain Grant Gilchrist remains alongside Richie Gray in the second row, with the back row of captain Jamie Ritchie, Luke Crosbie and Matt Fagerson also continuing.
Van der Merwe swoops Player of the Round for Round 1 as Team of the Round also revealed
There are no changes to either the starting backline or the replacements, with Player of Round 1 Duhan van der Merwe, looking to add to his two tries at Twickenham, joined in the back three by Kyle Steyn and Stuart Hogg – who is set to earn his 98th cap.
Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones link up in the centres, while Ben White and Finn Russell look to mastermind another famous win from half-back.
Nel is joined among the substitutes by Fraser Brown, James Bhatti, Jonny Gray and Jack Dempsey while the backs looking to make an impact remain as George Horne, Blair Kinghorn and Chris Harris.
Scotland team to face Wales: 15. Stuart Hogg, 14. Kyle Steyn, 13. Huw Jones, 12. Sione Tuipulotu, 11. Duhan van der Merwe, 10. Finn Russell, 9. Ben White, 1. Pierre Schoeman, 2. George Turner, 3. Zander Fagerson, 4. Richie Gray, 5. Grant Gilchrist, 6. Jamie Ritchie (Captain), 7. Luke Crosbie, 8. Matt Fagerson
Replacements: 16. Fraser Brown, 17. Jamie Bhatti, 18. WP Nel, 19. Jonny Gray, 20. Jack Dempsey, 21. George Horne, 22. Blair Kinghorn, 23. Chris Harris
Wales team news
Gatland has made six changes following that defeat last weekend, with all six coming in the forwards, and one positional change also coming in the forward pack.
Captain Ken Owens is one of just two players to retain his place, alongside second row Adam Beard.
Joining Owens in the front row is Wyn Jones, returning to the side having missed the Autumn Nations Series and Dillon Lewis, who steps up from the bench.
Match officials for Round 2 of the Guinness Six Nations
Dafydd Jenkins will make his first start for Wales, after coming on last weekend, to join Beard in the engine room.
Another of Exeter Chiefs’ youngsters Christ Tshiunza comes into the side at blindside flanker, with Tommy Reffell starting at openside flanker and Jac Morgan shifting from blindside to No.8.
The backline remains unchanged, but there are four changes to the replacements, including Ospreys second row Rhys Davies, who is set to win his first international cap.
Leon Brown is set to make his first appearance for Wales since the 2022 Championship, while Taulupe Faletau is dropped to the bench, and Rhys Patchell is the other change.
Among those missing out from last week’s matchday 23 are experienced duo Alun Wyn Jones and Justin Tipuric.
Gatland said: “We’ve made some changes but tried to keep some continuity with the same backline.
“Wyn has been working really hard in the last three weeks in camp and he gets an opportunity. Then Dafydd Jenkins comes into the second row, looking a bit to the future. Christ Tshiunza as well.
“We’re looking at options at eight if Toby Faletau picks up an injury who’s going to cover there, so Jac gets that chance.
“Scotland have some experience in that squad, so it’s going to be a great encounter and it’s a good test of the improvements that we can make from the things that we need to tidy up from last week.”
Wales team to face Scotland: 15. Liam Williams, 14. Josh Adams, 13. George North, 12. Joe Hawkins, 11. Rio Dyer, 10. Dan Biggar, 9. Tomos Williams, 1. Wyn Jones, 2. Ken Owens (Captain), 3. Dillon Lewis, 4. Dafydd Jenkins, 5. Adam Beard, 6. Christ Tshiunza, 7. Tommy Reffell, 8. Jac Morgan
Replacements: 16. Scott Baldwin, 17. Rhys Carre, 18. Leon Brown, 19. Rhys Davies, 20. Taulupe Faletau, 21. Rhys Webb, 22. Rhys Patchell, 23. Alex Cuthbert
