WALES v SCOTLAND
Rugby : Six Nations
Sunday, 12th February 2012 - Kickoff 15:00 (local) - Millennium Stadium, Cardiff

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It was a great start to the Six Nations for Wales last Sunday as they beat Ireland with the last kick of the game in the match of the weekend. Scotland didn’t fare as well, however, succumbing to a 13-6 defeat in their Calcutta Cup contest with England.

Can Scotland find a try from somewhere when they travel to Cardiff on Sunday or can Wales continue their excellent run of form?

Spirit leads Wales to last-gasp win
A last-kick win in Dublin sets the Welsh up nicely. It was a terrific match in Dublin as Wales started their Six Nations campaign with a win; Leigh Halfpenny kicking the late penalty that gave them a 23-21 triumph.

Welsh captain Sam Warburton picked up a dead leg early in the first half of the win against the Irish but will take his place BUT Bradley Davies is absent after the Cardiff Blues lock was cited for a tip tackle - a challenge that saw him sin-binned by referee Wayne Barnes in the 65th minute.

However, Dan Lydiate, the Newport Gwent Dragons blind-side, is set to return from an ankle injury for Sunday’s Millennium Stadium showdown which may mean a move into the second row for Ryan Jones.

Scotland solid but lack a try-scoring threat
Astonishingly, their 13-6 defeat to England was Scotland’s 14th successive opening Six Nations loss. Coach Andy Robinson must have been pulling out whatever hair he has left as his side created and squandered chance after chance in their Murrayfield defeat.

Writing in the Daily Telegraph, Brian Moore was highly critical of Scotland’s performance. He said: “For all their promise and proclaimed talent, Scotland’s players cannot consider themselves worthy of their international shirts if they repeatedly fail in this way.”

Scotland are now in a four match run without a try and for all their possession against England, it never looked likely that they would end a dreadful try-scoring sequence against their old enemy. Coach Andy Robinson summed it up when he said: “It seems a little like deja vu. We’re all bitterly disappointed about what’s happened here. We haven’t been able to take our chances. Again.”

Head TO Head

Scotland last won at the Millennium Stadium back in 2002, edging a classic encounter 27-22. It's been a struggle ever since though for the Scots, with Wales winning the last five matches.

Date           Match Result
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06 Apr 2002 Wales 22-27 v Scotland
30 Aug 2003 Wales 23-09 v Scotland
14 Feb 2004 Wales 23-10 v Scotland
12 Feb 2006 Wales 28-18 v Scotland
09 Feb 2008 Wales 30-15 v Scotland
13 Feb 2010 Wales 31-24 v Scotland

The Betting Verdict

While Scotland may be decent in some areas, basic handling mistakes and a lack of cutting edge are likely to make it another disappointing Six Nations campaign.

I’m not entirely sure where a try is going to come from and Scotland have been beaten comfortably on their last five visits to the Millennium Stadium.

Wales are 10/11 to win by more than 12 points (at Paddy Power) and had you backed them at those odds you’d have made a profit in three of their last five Cardiff meetings.

The Pick :

Wales to win

HANDICAP BETTING :

Take Wales to win by more than 12 points