Wales vs Scotland Tips - Scotland to start Six Nations campaign with a win in Cardiff

Ben Darvill

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Last updated: 01 Feb 2024

Ben Darvill 01 Feb 2024

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Wales vs Scotland predictions for Sunday's Six Nations match
Scotland beat Wales when the pair met last year
Four of the last five matches have seen a winning margin of seven points or less

Expired

Finn Russell of Scotland (Getty Images)

Wales vs Scotland Tips

Wales begin their Six Nations campaign looking to get off to a winning start with a number of big names missing through injury or retirement.

Wales vs Scotland Tips
Head To Head
Wales Form
Scotland Form

Scotland arrive at the Principality Stadium aiming to hit the ground running as they look to compete for trophies this year.

Head To Head

Scotland humiliated Wales in a 35-7 win at Murrayfield to make it three wins in their last 10. Meanwhile, Wales have won seven of their last 10 meetings.

Wales Form

Wales fell to an agonising 29-17 loss at the hands of Argentina in their last competitive game as they were knocked out of the World Cup at the quarter-final stage.

Since then, Wales have said goodbye to the likes of Dan Biggar and Leigh Halfpenny, while George North misses out through injury and talisman Louis Rees-Zammit has departed rugby union for a shot at the NFL. It is all change for Warren Gatland's men.

With Exeter Chiefs lock Dafydd Jenkins the new captain, Wales will hope this will be the first win in a bright future for a side that has lost their way of late. However, with so many big names missing due to one reason or another, can the home crowd roar on this under strength Welsh side?

Scotland Form

Scotland were not good enough at the 2023 World Cup as they were eliminated at the group stage of the competition. While their group involving Ireland and eventual world champions South Africa was incredibly tough, it was yet more underachieving from a side that feels they should be jostling for position at the top.

Finn Russell will be instrumental in any charge towards a Triple Crown, Championship win or Grand Slam, but it is tough to see them downing the likes of Ireland and France.

If Scotland are to finish in the top-spots, they have to beat a Welsh side that every team bar Italy will fancy themselves against. Scotland's record against Wales is not great, winning three of their last 10. However, they hammered their opponents at home last year, and they will fancy themselves in this one.

Verdict

Wales v Scotland

I am backing Scotland to win this one as they down a Welsh side that will likely lack that bite in attack. With the exception of the last clash between the pair, each of the last four meetings have been decided by seven points or less, so I am backing the Scottish to win by 1-7 points.