Scotland v Wales: teams

Duncan Weir will make his first start for Scotland in Saturday’s RBS 6 Nations Championship match against Wales at Murrayfield.
The 21-year-old Glasgow Warriors fly-half, whose three previous caps have been won from the bench, replaces his clubmate Ruaridh Jackson in the pivotal position.
The other change to the initial line-up from the team that defeated Ireland in the last round sees the return of Euan Murray at tighthead with Geoff Cross moving to the bench.
Glasgow Warriors No.8 Ryan Wilson could make his debut for the Scots after being named on the bench.
He is named instead of David Denton who sustained a knee injury when playing for Edinburgh against Scarlets in the RaboDirect PRO12 at the weekend.
Scotland interim head coach Scott Johnson said: “Selection is tough just now but that’s a good thing as we increase competition for places.
“Duncan did well when he came on against Ireland and he got some decent game time for Glasgow at the weekend. He’s a talent with a really good work ethic and a thirst to improve, which I like a lot.
“Ruaridh remains a key part of our squad but he knows with Tom Heathcote proving a match-winner for Bath and kicking goals from here, there and everywhere, that he needs to up his game too.
“Geoff (Cross) was a standout against Ireland and it’s up to Euan, who fronted up big time against Italy, to raise the bar again.
“Wales will be going for their fifth successive away victory in the championship and that would be a record for them but our focus is on ensuring we win the contact zone, continue to improve and make it three wins on the bounce.”
Sam Warburton has been recalled by Rob Howley and returns at openside in one of three changes from the team that beat Italy last time out.
Warburton replaces Justin Tipuric at No.7 but Ryan Jones captains the side from blindside once again despite Warburton’s return.
Alun-Wyn Jones is also recalled in place of Andrew Coombs while Bath’s Paul James starts at loosehead as Gethin Jenkins failed to recover from a calf injury he sustained against the Azzurri.
Howley explained his decision to give the armband to Ryan Jones saying: “Ryan has led the team to two wins and deserves to captain the side against Scotland.
“We have had two good, hard-fought away victories but we know will have to be at our best again to come away from Murrayfield with the result. We are bringing in a wealth of experience with Alun Wyn and Sam and they performed well off the bench in Rome.
“It’s disappointing for Gethin to miss out but Paul has impressed and made an impact in each game he has played. We have spoken a lot about momentum in this tournament and we go into the game with two wins under our belt but Scotland are in the same position and it’s going to be a good challenge.”
Scotland: Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors); Sean Maitland (Glasgow Warriors), Sean Lamont (Glasgow Warriors), Matt Scott (Edinburgh Rugby),Tim Visser (Edinburgh Rugby); Duncan Weir (Glasgow Warriors), Greig Laidlaw (Edinburgh Rugby); Ryan Grant (Glasgow Warriors), Ross Ford (Edinburgh Rugby), Euan Murray (Worcester Warriors); Richie Gray (Sale Sharks), Jim Hamilton (Gloucester); Robert Harley (Glasgow Warriors), Kelly Brown (Saracens, Capt.), Johnnie Beattie (Montpellier).
Replacements: Dougie Hall (Glasgow Warriors), Moray Low (Glasgow Warriors), Geoff Cross (Edinburgh Rugby), Alastair Kellock (Glasgow Warriors), Ryan Wilson (Glasgow Warriors), Henry Pyrgos (Glasgow Warriors), Ruaridh Jackson (Glasgow Warriors), Max Evans (Castres).
Wales: Leigh Halfpenny; Alex Cuthbert, Jonathan Davies, Jamie Roberts, George North; Dan Biggar, Mike Phillips; Paul James, Richard Hibbard, Adam Jones; Alun Wyn Jones, Ian Evans; Ryan Jones (Capt.), Sam Warburton, Toby Faletau.
Replacements: Ken Owens, Scott Andrews, Ryan Bevington, Andrew Coombs, Justin Tipuric, Lloyd Williams, James Hook, Scott Williams.