WATSON’S GOT A WORLD VIEW
Hamish hopes to use Wales win to get to Japan
HAMISH WATSON wants to force his way into Gregor Townsend’s World Cup plans by starring in a Scotland win in Wales tomorrow.
The breakaway forward is desperate to play in the global tournament in Japan next year after missing out last time round.
And with the Doddie Weir Cup up for grabs, Watson is keen to put on a show both personally and as a team.
He said: “We have a huge year ahead with 14 Test matches to play before we head for Japan.
“Every game will be crucial so it’s important we start the sequence strongly this weekend.
“A successful autumn series would lay the foundations. And from a personal point of view I will have opportunities to show what I can do.
“I was involved in all the preparations for the last World Cup in England only to be left out of the squad for the tournament itself.
“That makes Japan a massive target for me. But I have to concentrate on the here and now which means the fixtures against Wales, Fiji, South Africa and Argentina over the next few weeks. After that the build-up starts for the Six Nations.”
On the challenge of taking on the Welsh on their own patch Watson added: “Obviously we remember the heavy defeat we suffered down there just a few months ago.
“We won’t dwell on that but are well aware that we need a much better performance than that.
“Cardiff is always a tough place to go and it’s going to be an amazing atmosphere.
“We will have to overcome the influence of their fans and make the result a tribute win for Doddie. The fact we’re facing players who beat us last time doesn’t feature once you come to kick-off. “We beat them at Murrayfield the year before so it’s not as if they have
beaten us consecutively. Both sides are made up of home-based players so we will know each other well through our regular involvement in the Pro14.
“We will be familiar with them and vice-versa. The intensity will be completely different to facing them in the league.
“The tempo will be a lot higher – which it should be on the international stage. It’s great to have four Tests in a row because it offers the opportunity to get our game plan established and find some momentum.”
Ospreys star Luke Morgan will make his debut for Wales against the Scots at the Principality Stadium.
The winger is one of two uncapped players in the 23-man squad, with Cardiff Blues fly-half Jarrod Evans on the bench. Seven Lions start, including Jonathan Davies, who returns after a year on the sidelines with injury.
Scarlets centre Davies plays for Wales for the first time since 2017 following injury. Alun Wyn Jones is recalled at second row to captain the side having been rested for the summer tour of Argentina.
Coach Warren Gatland is back having returned to New Zealand following the death of his father.
Assistant boss Rob Howley said: “It’s great to reward players on form and we’re looking forward to seeing Luke at this level.
“He has come through the sevens system, he will bring a point of difference to the squad and it’s a great opportunity for him.
“Likewise it will be good to see Jarrod from the bench and hopefully seeing some X factor from him.”