Wales urged to show ‘no fear’

London – Warren Gatland (right) has urged a new-look Wales to “go out there with no fear” when they launch their Six Nations Championship campaign at home to a Scotland side desperate to end a 22-year losing streak in Cardiff.

Injuries, post-World Cup international retirements – and in the case of wing Louis Rees-Zammit a decision to try to forge a career in American football – have deprived Wales coach Gatland of several senior players, with George North, Liam Williams, Dan Biggar and Taulupe Faletau also among those who will be missing at the Principality Stadium this weekend.

Gatland has responded by handing Cardiff full-back Cameron Winnett a Test debut after just 15 games of professional rugby and by appointing 21-yearold lock Dafydd Jenkins as Wales’ youngest captain since scrumhalf great Gareth Edwards back in 1968.

Wales reached the quarterfinals of last year’s World Cup in France, losing 29-17 to Argentina, whereas Scotland failed to get out of a tough pool also featuring eventual champions South Africa and reigning Six Nations Grand Slam kings Ireland.

But more significantly in a Championship where away triumphs are traditionally tough to come by, Scotland have lost their last 11 games against Wales in Cardiff – a run that includes nine Six Nations clashes, a World Cup warm-up fixture and an Autumn international.

“We are at home and Scotland haven’t won here in Cardiff for a long time,” said Gatland.

“I am really excited about this group that we’ve got, building with some youngsters who I think are really going to grow, develop and impress...I think they can go out there with no fear with the way they have prepared.”

Owen Watkin and Nick Tompkins will form Wales’ centre pairing in the absence of the injured North, while back-row forward Jim Botham – grandson of England cricket great Ian Botham – is set for a first Wales appearance in nearly three years. –