Scotland preparing for Six Nations opener against Wales in Cardiff

Scotland are preparing for a trip to Cardiff to take on Wales in their Six Nations opener on Saturday afternoon.

Gregor Townsend’s men will be looking to improve upon their third place finish in last year’s tournament when they finished with 15 points from the five games.

Despite recording a famous victory at Twickenham which was their first in front of a crowd there since 1983 – they did earn a win there in 2021 in a match played without spectators – they ended the competition behind winners Ireland and second placed France.

They also got a convincing win over the Welsh in 2023, winning 35-7 at Murrayfield, however it has been 22 years since they have recorded a win in Cardiff.

When it comes to making home advantage count in the Six Nations, Wales have repeatedly delivered in this fixture.

The last time the national team grabbed a win in Cardiff was in 2002 when current manager Townsend was the fly-half as stoppage-time penalties kicked by Brendan Laney and Duncan Hodge secured a 27-22 victory.

It has been 11 successive defeats in the Welsh capital since, nine of those being in the Six Nations, but Scotland will be hopeful they can put an end to that run at the weekend as they currently sit two places ahead of their opponents in the world rankings.

However the Scots did secure a win in Wales in 2020 when the game was played behind closed doors in Llanelli due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Scotland last won the tournament back in 1999, when it was still known as the Five Nations before the inclusion of Italy.

Wales on the other hand have been crowned champions six times since the last time Scotland were victorious.

Six Nations history might be against them, but Scotland will arrive in Cardiff as firm favourites to end their dismal losing run.

Wales field just seven of the side that lost to World Cup quarter-final opponents Argentina last time out, and players like Finn Russell, wing Duhan van der Merwe and centre Huw Jones are genuine game-breakers more than capable of testing a new-look Wales side.

If the Scots hit their straps, then they could win with something to spare, setting themselves up for a Murrayfield showdown with France next weekend, but the biggest battle could be overcoming those Cardiff demons and keeping them at bay.

The Principality Stadium roof will be closed for Saturday’s Guinness Six Nations clash between Wales and Scotland following a U-turn by the visitors.

Under Six Nations regulations, the roof is only closed if both teams agree to it.

Scotland originally wanted the roof open despite a match-day forecast of persistent light rain.

But they have now reversed that decision and Wales have accepted their request.

Scotland have already suffered a blow with the news that Blair Kinghorn has been ruled out of the game with a knee injury, paving the way for Kyle Rowe to make his first international start at full-back in Saturday’s opener in Wales.