The second round of fixtures in the 2023 Six Nations Championship sees Scotland pitted against Wales at Murrayfield, with the two sides coming into this game off the back of two wildly different results in week one. Scotland retained a third straight Calcutta Cup by beating England at Twickenham, but Wales in contrast were humbled at home 34-10 to Ireland in Warren Gatland's first game back in charge.
Recording their second consecutive victory at Twickenham for the first time ever, Scotland were outstanding as they edged England 29-23 at the death, with Duhan van der Merwe scoring his second outstanding try to win it six minutes from time. While the attrition and defiance shown in their 11-6 win in London two years ago was impressive, Scotland's play in this game was simply magnificent. Four tries were scored, all of which came from unlocking the England defence, and Van der Merwe's brace in particular will be shown on replays for many years to come.
Precision, clarity and ambition from the whole team when it counts most. #AsOne pic.twitter.com/jWlS8chImm
— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) February 6, 2023
Wales, however, had anything but an enjoyable afternoon. The second Warren Gatland era got off to the worst possible start against Ireland, with Caelan Doris crossing after just two minutes for the visitors. James Ryan and James Lowe also scored inside the first 20 minutes, leaving Wales with a mountain to climb, and although Liam Williams skidded over early in the second half, Josh van der Flier completed the scoring to secure Ireland a bonus point and round off a 34-10 victory.
🏉 #TBT
— Welsh Rugby Union 🏴 (@WelshRugbyUnion) February 9, 2023
🏴 Relive only a few of the best Welsh tries against Scotland from over the years👇
Edrych ymlaen at y penwythnos?#WelshRugby | #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/JvRVgYDoUi
However, recent history suggests that regardless of their current form, Scotland will need to be wary of Wales at Murrayfield. The last two editions of the Six Nations have seen Wales edge the Scots in ultra-tight games, recording 25-24 and 20-17 victories in 2021 and 2022 respectively.
After such an impressive display against England, is this the year Scotland finally get one over on this wounded Welsh side, or will Gatland have another trick up his sleeve?
MORE: The 140-year history of the Six Nations Championship.
The big games keep coming! Are you ready for tomorrow's @Scotlandteam vs @WelshRugbyUnion?#WorkHardPlayHarder | #BecomeYourOwnHero | #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/HMiJulbw65
— Macron (@MacronSports) February 10, 2023
Scotland vs Wales kick-off time
Scotland host Wales in the Six Nations at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh, Scotland. The game kicks off at 4:45 p.m. GMT on Saturday, February 11, 2023.
Here are the kick-off times for this game around the world:
Location | Date | Time |
UK | Sat, Feb. 11 | 16:45 GMT |
Australia | Sun, Feb. 12 | 03:45 AEDT |
Canada | Sat, Feb. 11 | 11:45 ET |
New Zealand | Sun, Feb. 12 | 05:45 NZDT |
USA | Sat, Feb. 11 | 11:45 ET |
India | Sat, Feb. 11 | 22:15 IST |
Singapore | Sun, Feb. 12 | 00:45 SGT |
Malaysia | Sun, Feb. 12 | 00:45 MYT |
Scotland vs Wales live stream, TV channel
Here is how to watch the match in some of the major territories:
TV channel | Streaming | |
---|---|---|
USA | — | fuboTV, Peacock, CNBC |
Canada | — | |
UK | ITV One | ITV X |
Australia | — | Stan Sport |
New Zealand | — | Sky Sport NOW |
India | — | Premier Sports Asia |
Hong Kong | — | Premier Sports Asia |
Malaysia | — | Premier Sports Asia |
Singapore | — | Premier Sports Asia |
USA: All games are streaming live on Peacock and will also be available through fuboTV. However, they will also be repeated on CNBC on delay, usually by a couple of hours.
Canada: All games are streaming live on DAZN.
UK: Matches will be shown on BBC and ITV, with S4C also broadcasting in Wales.
Australia: Six Nations coverage is provided by Stan Sport.
India: Premier Sports Asia is the main place to watch the Six Nations.
MORE: Six Nations Fantasy Rugby is back for 2023.
Scotland vs Wales confirmed lineups
Scotland excelled from front to back against England, and Gregor Townsend's team selection reflects how impressed he was with his side's performance. The one change to their XV is one of strength, as British Lions prop Zander Fagerson returns from injury at tighthead. This sees WP Nel switch to the bench, with the rest of the matchday 23 unchanged.
Combinations in the backline played a crucial role in all of Scotland's tries at Twickenham. Centres Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones combined for the opener, scrum-half Ben White exploited a gap from a loose ball to add another, and Kyle Steyn started the game-breaking move which culminated in fellow South Africa-born wing Van der Merwe scoring the winning try. All keep their places behind the scrum, with Scotland looking for another positive result to follow their record-breaking victory.
Scotland v Wales.#AsOne pic.twitter.com/HFCT359cZN
— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) February 10, 2023
Scotland Starting XV: Stuart Hogg, Kyle Steyn, Huw Jones, Sione Tuipulotu, Duhan van der Merwe, Finn Russell, Ben White; Pierre Schoeman, George Turner, Zander Fagerson, Richie Gray, Grant Gilchrist, Jamie Ritchie, Luke Crosbie, Matt Fagerson.
Scotland Replacements: Fraser Brown, Jamie Bhatti, WP Nel, Jonny Gray, Jack Dempsey, George Horne, Blair Kinghorn, Chris Harris.
✅ Ready for tomorrow
— Welsh Rugby Union 🏴 (@WelshRugbyUnion) February 10, 2023
🏴 C'mon Cymru!#WelshRugby pic.twitter.com/BzCeyOKY2C
Wales' pack was a lengthy second-best against Ireland, being forced back at almost every set-piece and breakdown even before Ireland's early tries. As a result, Gatland has made a raft of changes, including a new-look back row. Christ Tshiunza and Tommy Reffell start on the flanks, with Jac Morgan's resultant switch to number eight pushing Taulupe Faletau to the bench.
These changes to the XV come mostly in the pack, and with the dropping of Alun Wyn Jones and Justin Tipuric alone, Wales lose 244 caps of international experience. However, the promising players coming in will be keen to stamp their authority, and provide a good platform for the unchanged backline to build off. Liam Williams scored Wales' only try against Ireland but was also sin-binned, and his defensive organisation from the rear could be crucial in keeping Scotland's dynamic attacking style at bay.
🏴 Here's the @WelshRugbyUnion team heading to Scotland 🙌
— Guinness Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) February 9, 2023
Dyma tîm Cymru ⬇️#AwakenAnticipation | #SCOvWAL pic.twitter.com/5Ca18zvRXG
Wales Starting XV: Liam Williams, Josh Adams, George North, Joe Hawkins, Rio Dyer, Dan Biggar, Tomos Williams; Wyn Jones, Ken Owens, Dillon Lewis, Dafydd Jenkins, Adam Beard, Christ Tshiunza, Tommy Reffell, Jac Morgan.
Wales Replacements: Scott Baldwin, Rhys Carre, Leon Brown, Rhys Davies, Taulupe Faletau, Rhys Webb, Rhys Patchell, Alex Cuthbert.
Scotland vs Wales odds
Despite Scotland's poor recent record against Wales, the manner of their victory against England (and Wales' defeat to Ireland) has swung the betting favour their way, with all four of out partner bookmakers having them as favourites to win at Murrayfield.
Wales are an outside chance to win this game, with Sky Bet and BetMGM's odds of 9/4 and 21/10 suggesting this game could be even tighter than it usually is. Sports Interaction and Ladbrokes are offering even longer odds.
UK (Sky Bet) | USA (BetMGM) | Canada (Sports Interaction) | Australia (Ladbrokes) | |
Scotland Win | 2/5 | 4/11 | 1.35 | 1.36 |
Draw | 20/1 | 20/1 | 21.00 | - |
Wales Win | 9/4 | 21/10 | 3.15 | 3.25 |
MORE: Six breakout stars to watch in this year's Six Nations Championship.