Wales team v Scotland: Huge boost as Lions frontrunner returns while Matt Sherratt achieves six-year first
Dewi Lake in Wales training ahead of their Six Nations clash with Ireland
Wales interim head coach Matt Sherratt has named an unchanged starting XV for his side’s clash with Scotland, but all eyes are on the replacements bench as Dewi Lake makes his return to the 23-man squad.
This is also the first time since 2019 that Wales have deployed the same starting XV for two consecutive Test matches.
Dewi Lake returns to Wales Test side after injury absence
Hooker Lake, who will play in his first Six Nations Test since 2022, has missed the entirety of the Championship thus far after bicep surgery, but comes onto the bench in place of Evan Lloyd.
Looking at the Wales starting XV, Blair Murray, Tom Rogers and Ellis Mee once again feature in the back three. Max Llewellyn and Ben Thomas combine in the centres, and Gareth Anscombe and Tomos Williams continue their fine half-back partnership.
Up front, Taulupe Faletau starts at number eight, with Tommy Reffell and Jac Morgan joining him on the flanks. Dafydd Jenkins and Will Rowlands again partner up in the engine room, and the superb scrummaging unit of WillGriff John, Elliot Dee and Nicky Smith retain their places in the front-row.
Lake is one of two changes to the bench from last weekend’s defeat to Ireland, with Keiron Assiratti also coming in for Henry Thomas. Gareth Thomas, Teddy Williams, Aaron Wainwright, Rhodri Williams, Jarrod Evans and Joe Roberts all keep their spots.
Commenting on his selection, interim boss Sherratt said: “This week we’ve challenged ourselves to keep improving. We want to keep the same intent and bravery as we showed last time out, but making sure that we are building on our game.”
He added: “We’re excited for the challenge of playing Scotland in Edinburgh and can’t wait to get out there on Saturday.”
Wales are still on their worst-ever losing run, however, the improved performance against Ireland last time out has fuelled some more optimism heading into a clash with a Scotland side who are currently one from three so far this Championship.
Wales team v Scotland
Wales: 15 Blair Murray, 14 Tom Rogers, 13 Max Llewellyn, 12 Ben Thomas, 11 Ellis Mee, 10 Gareth Anscombe, 9 Tomos Williams, 8 Taulupe Faletau, 7 Tommy Reffell, 6 Jac Morgan (c), 5 Dafydd Jenkins, 4 Will Rowlands, 3 WillGriff John, 2 Elliot Dee, 1 Nicky Smith
Replacements: 16 Dewi Lake, 17 Gareth Thomas, 18 Keiron Assiratti, 19 Teddy Williams, 20 Aaron Wainwright, 21 Rhodri Williams, 22 Jarrod Evans, 23 Joe Roberts
Venue: Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Date: Saturday, 8 March, 2025
Kick-off: 16:15 GMT
Referee: Andrea Piardi (FIR)
Assistant Referee 1: Nic Berry (RA)
Assistant Referee 2: Gianluca Gnecchi (FIR)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (FFR)
FPRO: Tual Trainini (FFR)
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