The Welsh head to Murrayfield having seen their record losing Test run extended to 15 matches by defending champions Ireland last time out, but finally with some pride and optimism restored at long last after a much-improved performance under Warren Gatland’s interim successor, the Cardiff Blues head coach Matt Sherratt.
A more logical team selection paid dividends in a thrilling clash in Cardiff in which Wales led 18-10 at one stage and saw a scintillating try from surprise debutant Ellis Mee crucially ruled out before the Grand Slam-chasers eventually held their nerve to triumph 27-17 and clinch the Triple Crown in the process.
With England still to come in Cardiff, it gives them renewed confidence heading to face a Scotland side who have some pressure on them to produce a result after Finn Russell’s last-gasp unsuccessful conversion – one of three kicks he missed on the day – saw them slump to an agonising 16-15 defeat by England at Twickenham and lose possession of the Calcutta Cup for the first time since 2020.
That followed them being brushed aside by Ireland and having to see off a stubborn fightback from Italy in round one, with questions starting to be asked of head coach Gregor Townsend’s position despite his great work with a title challenge failing to ignite once more and a tough trip to France looming on Super Saturday.
Scotland vs Wales date, kick-off time and venue
Scotland vs Wales takes place on Saturday March 8, 2025 at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh. The match kicks off at 4:45pm GMT.
How to watch Scotland vs Wales
TV channel: Scotland vs Wales is being shown live and free-to-air in the UK on BBC One and Welsh-language channel S4C, with coverage starting on both at 4pm GMT.
Live stream: The BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website will also be showing the match online, along with S4C Clic.
Scotland vs Wales team news
Scotland are boosted by the return of wing Darcy Graham, who missed the defeat by England after being stretchered off with concussion following a nasty clash of heads with Russell in the first half of the Ireland defeat.
He replaces Kyle Rowe in the only change to the team that started at Twickenham, with Townsend also reverting from a 6-2 bench split back to 5-3, with George Horne replacing Jamie Dobie as scrum-half cover and Sam Skinner also making way.
Wales, meanwhile, are unchanged in back-to-back matches for the first time since the 2019 World Cup after that resurgent performance against Ireland.
Return: Former Wales captain Dewi Lake is back involved for the trip to Scotland
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Hooker and former captain Dewi Lake makes a welcome return from injury on the bench, with prop Keiron Assiratti also among the replacements. Evan Lloyd and Henry Thomas make way.
Otherwise it’s a case of as you were from Sherratt, who continues with Gareth Anscombe at fly-half and a centre pairing of Ben Thomas and Max Llewellyn, with the exciting Mee earning another start out wide.
Scotland vs Wales lineups
Scotland XV: Kinghorn; Graham, Jones, Jordan, Van der Merwe; Russell (co-c), White; Schoeman, Cherry, Z Fagerson; Gray, Gilchrist; Ritchie, Darge, Dempsey (co-c)
Replacements: Ashman, Sutherland, Hurd, Brown, M Fagerson, Horne, McDowall, Rowe
Wales XV: Murray; Rogers, Llewellyn, B Thomas, Mee; Anscombe, Tomos Williams; Smith, Dee, John; Rowlands, Jenkins; Morgan (c), Reffell, Faletau
Replacements: Lake, G Thomas, Assiratti, Teddy Williams, Wainwright, R Williams, J Evans, Roberts
Scotland vs Wales head to head (h2h) history and results
Scotland will be looking to make it three wins in a row against Wales, having led 27-0 in Cardiff last year before just hanging on to win 27-26 in a wild encounter.
Russell starred in a 35-7 thrashing of Wales on their last trip to Murrayfield, where the visitors last won in their title-winning campaign in 2021.
Scotland vs Wales prediction
It will be fascinating to see if Wales can follow up their impressive display against Ireland, with Sherratt having seemingly worked wonders in such little time.
While the record losing run goes on, a performance like the one we saw in Cardiff two weeks ago was desperately needed to give a timely boost to Welsh rugby in general.
Scotland will be wounded after their defeats by Ireland and England, one performance disappointing and the other full of attacking guile and ingenuity if also frustratingly profligate, though they still would have won with a better day from the tee.
Entertainers: Scotland were often brilliant in attack against England
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A repeat of that sort of display here but with more chances taken and more reliable goal-kicking would surely be too much for even an improved Welsh team to handle.
But start with any nerves and opponents now playing without any fear could look to quickly take advantage.
Scotland to win, by 10 points.
Scotland vs Wales match odds
Odds via Betfair (subject to change)
