YOU’RE STILL A HUGE PART OF MY PLANS
RUGBY GORDON PARKS
g.parks@dailyrecord.co.uk gives us leadership on the bench.
“There is a big tournament on the horizon and we will see what happens after the World Cup. That tends to be the time when players reassess where they are, when coaches reassess what their next challenge is.
“We know Greig is determined to play well for Scotland and win.
“We had two weeks to reflect on why things didn’t work over in France. Part of that is how we coached and what we did in training, how we played the game but also selection.
“We looked at every position and also reflected on the fact we’re out of the championship. So if someone has earned their opportunity, Ali Price for example, this is a good time to see if it helps the team win.
“It isn’t a reflection on how Greig is playing, it is a reflection of how Ali has been going. Ali deserved an opportunity to start at some stage and we believe this weekend is the right time.”
There is also a recall for Racing 92 stand-off Finn Russell after a head injury, with Peter Horne switching to inside centre. Wing Darcy Graham comes in for his first start while prop WP Nel returns at tighthead for a match against a Welsh side still on target for the Grand Slam.
Scotland’s campaign is now one of building towards Japan 2019 but Townsend wants to deliver a performance that shows why they were talked about as potential dark horses heading into the Six Nations.
He said: “The Welsh players, supporters and neutrals will believe they are the better team and will win. We will have to wait and see on Saturday.
“We realise we have not shown a true picture of what we are capable of. We have come up against some excellent teams in the past, sides that have been on good winning records, and risen to the occasion.”
He said: “We are out of the running for the championship but still want to play to our potential, show a true picture