Dunbar ready for another physical battle
The Glasgow player, pictured, had an eventful afternoon at the Stade de France, with his accidental entanglement contributing to skipper Greig Laidlaw’s Six Nationsending ankle injury and once again playing the role of defensive rock as the Scots restricted the fearsome French barrage to just one try conceded.
“He fell in and he felt the pressure on his knee and leg,” Dunbar recalled of the unfortunate Laidlaw incident.
“It is just one of these freak things that happens. I couldn’t tell you what happened. I had to watch it back because at the time I did not know what happened as I was just in the moment.”
Scotland have also lost Glasgow forward Josh Strauss for the rest of the competition to a kidney injury and the Warriors centre added: “It’s tough for them. Greig was captain and leading us well, and I thought Josh played really well against France. It’s a bit of a loss, but it gives other boys a chance to step up.”
Dunbar is likely to be teamed with Huw Jones once again and is looking forward to coming up against Welsh centres like Jonathan Davies and Scott Williams.
“Wales were very good against England,” he said of their 21-16 loss to Eddie Jones’s side in Cardiff. “They bring a physical presence that we need to match. Their midfield are big ball-carriers, and they have some in the pack as well, so we need to get off the line and stop them getting momentum.”
Dunbar explained that the squad were clear on what needs to improve this weekend. “The set-piece,” he said. “Get our launches right and get a platform to play off. We had the chances [against France], we just didn’t play smart enough at times.” Dunbar accepts that, after one win and one loss, this third match on the middle weekend is looming as the pivotal moment of the campaign. “It’s a big challenge,” he said. “We were disappointed last week in Paris, but we want to bounce back and it’s a good test. We’ve had a lot of good battles against Wales in the last few years. We’ve not won the games, but we’ve been close in a few, so hopefully this year we can turn it around.” It says everything about Wales’ current back-row riches that Taulupe Faletau could be on the bench for nextsaturday’srbs6nations clash against Scotland.
Number 8 Faletau has provided a world-class presence for Wales since being handed his Test debut in 2011, making 60 starts during a 63-cap international career. But the Bath forward’s injury-hit season opened a door for Gloucester prospect Ross Moriarty, who underlined his quality with a memorable performance in Wales’ 21-16 loss to England nine days ago.
With flankers Sam Warburton and Justin Tipuric also in prime form – and Faletau now fully fit and playing – Wales boss Rob Howley faces an intriguing four-into-three selection challenge later this week.
“Ross is playing really well at the moment, and so are the other two,” Faletau said.
“We work for each other, and whoever plays is worthy of playing. And, to be honest, those three right now are playing really well.
“The boys are playing well at the moment, and it is down to the coaches to pick what team they pick.”
Faletau replaced Moriarty midway through the second half against England, and Howley must now decide whether to say same again or hand Faletau a first Test matchstartsincewales’third Test defeat against New Zealand in Dunedin last June.
“Although the result didn’t go our way (against England), the performance was there, and everyone is looking forward to the next game,” Faletau added.
“After losing last week, it (the title) is kind of out of our hands. We have just got to take each game as it comes. If we win our games, we are 0 Tim Visser is caught by Taulupe Faletau in Wales’ 26-23 victory over Scotland at Murrayfield in 2015. always in with a chance if somebody else slips up.”
Faletau has suffered two knee injuries this season, the first on his Bath debut five months ago after joining them from Newport Gwent Dragons, before another setback on Christmas Eve meant seven weeks sidelined.
Bath’s Aviva Premiership appointment with Harlequins two days ago was his first 80-minute run of the season, and he said: “I am just glad to be out there playing rugby again.
“It hasn’t been the season for it for me. I was just glad to get 80 minutes.
“It has been frustrating, but injuries are part of the game, and I have got to deal with it some time. They come around for everyone, and it has just seemed to be my time.
“I did a couple of weeks pre-season with the boys, which made the transition easier, joining the club and feeling at home.
“It is nice to have a change. Myself and the family are really enjoying it. We have made the move over to Bath, and it’s such a wonderful place with wonderful people.
“Yes, Bath is a rugby town, but they seem to kind of leave you alone. In Wales, you get a bit more attention.”
Wales will head to Edinburgh knowing that victory is essential to keep alive Six Nations title hopes, but England, whose next two games are against Italy and Scotland at Twickenham, remain firmly on course for a second successive Grand Slam.
“They are on 16 games unbeaten, and you can’t fault them,” Faletau added. “They have got that winning edge about them, and they got over the line against us.
“They have always been tough games against England, always tough encounters.
“They have got that confidence and they are used to winning. In those tight situations, they come out on top, and they did that against us.”