Russell: Wales will not be a pushover
SCOTLAND captain Finn Russell insists Wales’ inexperience will not make his side’s task of ending a 22-year wait for a win in Cardiff any easier today. Scotland have not won at the Principality Stadium since 2002, losing 11 successive games including nine Six Nations contests, a World Cup warm-up and an autumn Test.
But Wales have hit been hit by a series of injuries and high-profile retirements, while Lions wing Louis Rees-Zammit has departed to try to launch a career in American football. Scotland arrive in Cardiff in the unusual position of being favourites for this Six Nations opener but Russell said: ‘I don’t view it like that. We haven’t won here in 22 years, so it shows it’s not an easy place for us to win. ‘We have a more experienced team, but that doesn’t always count on the day. Wales have very exciting players who will be playing with freedom and that’s part of the joy of having a more youthful side.
‘We’re more experienced and we have to lean on that but we have to be careful we don’t overthink the game. It’s a very dangerous team in front of us. ‘The atmosphere is one of the best in the world and when the Welsh boys put that red jersey on it’s different from when they are at their clubs. It’s a massive challenge for us to win here. ‘We’ve got a few new faces and a few points to prove after a disappointing World Cup. Both sides have.’
The Principality Stadium roof will be closed for today’s game following a U-turn by the visitors. Under Six Nations regulations, the roof is only closed if both teams agree. Scotland had originally wanted the roof open, despite a forecast of persistent light rain, but they have now reversed that decision with heavier rain forecast and Wales have accepted the request. Russell said: ‘For me personally, it doesn’t change much. I was at Racing 92 for five years and they have an indoor stadium so I’m pretty used to it.
‘I think the weather conditions changed over the week, so that’s why the roof is now closed.
‘It will get slightly greasy inside with the humidity but both teams are under the same conditions. It will make for an exciting and fast, free-flowing game.’
WALES: Winnett; Dyer, Watkin, Tompkins, Adams; Costelow, G Davies; Domachowski, Elias, Brown, D Jenkins (capt), Beard, Botham, Wainwright, Reffell.
Substitutes: Dee, Mathias, Assiratti, Teddy Williams, Mann, Tomos Williams, I Lloyd, Grady.
SCOTLAND: Rowe, Steyn, Jones, Tuipulotu, Van der Merwe, Russell, White; Schoeman, Turner, Z Fagerson, R Gray, Cummings, Crosbie, M Fagerson, Ritchie. Substitutes: : Ashman, Hepburn, Millar-Mills, Skinner, Dempsey, Horne, Healy, Redpath. Kick-off: 4.45pm, Principality Stadium. TV: LIVE on BBC One from 4pm.
Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand).