Wales v Scotland, 15 March

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Walesv Scotland  

Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
15 March 2014, KO:14:45

Referee: Jérôme Garces (FFR)
First Assistant: Chris Pollock (NZR)
Second Assistant: Greg Garner (RFU)
TMO: Graham Hughes (RFU)

A. Squads

1. Wales

Forwards: Paul James (Bath), Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues), Ryan Bevington (Ospreys), Richard Hibbard (Ospreys), Ken Owens (Scarlets), Emyr Phillips (Scarlets), Adam Jones (Ospreys), Samson Lee (Scarlets), Rhodri Jones (Scarlets), Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys), Luke Charteris (Perpignan), Ian Evans (Ospreys), Andrew Coombs (Dragons), Ryan Jones (Ospreys), Justin Tipuric (Ospreys), Sam Warburton Capt (Cardiff Blues), Toby Faletau (Dragons), Dan Lydiate (Racing Metro), Aaron Shingler (Scarlets)

Backs: Rhodri Williams (Scarlets), Mike Phillips (Racing Metro), Rhys Webb (Ospreys), Dan Biggar (Ospreys), Rhys Priestland (Scarlets), James Hook (Perpignan), Jonathan Davies (Scarlets), Jamie Roberts (Racing Metro), Scott Williams (Scarlets), Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues), George North (Northampton Saints), Leigh Halfpenny (Cardiff Blues), Liam Williams (Scarlets).

2. Scotland

Forwards: John Beattie (Montpellier), Kelly Brown (Saracens), Geoff Cross, David Denton, Alasdair Dickinson, Ross Ford (all Edinburgh Rugby), Chris Fusaro (Glasgow Warriors), Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh Rugby), Ryan Grant, Jonny Gray (both Glasgow Warriors), Richie Gray (Castres), Jim Hamilton (Montpellier), Robert Harley (Glasgow Warriors), Scott Lawson (Newcastle Falcons), Kieran Low (London Irish), Moray Low, Pat MacArthur (both Glasgow Warriors), Ross Rennie (Edinburgh Rugby) Alasdair Strokosch (Perpignan), Tim Swinson and Ryan Wilson (both Glasgow Warriors).

Backs: Chris Cusiter (Glasgow Warriors), Nick De Luca (Edinburgh Rugby), Alex Dunbar (Glasgow Warriors), Max Evans (Castres), Dougie Fife (Edinburgh Rugby), Stuart Hogg, Ruaridh Jackson, Sean Lamont (all Glasgow Warriors), Greig Laidlaw (Edinburgh Rugby), Sean Maitland (Glasgow Warriors), Matt Scott (Edinburgh Rugby), Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors), Duncan Taylor (Saracens), Greig Tonks (Edinburgh Rugby) and Duncan Weir (Glasgow Warriors).

B. Previous Form

9 March 2013, Murrayfield
18 – 28 to Wales

12 February 2012, Millennium Stadium
27 – 13 to Wales

12 February 2011, Murrayfield
6 – 24 to Wales

13 February 2010, Millennium Stadium
31 – 24 to Wales

8 February 2009, Murrayfield
13 – 26 to Wales

9 February 2008, Millennium Stadium
30 – 15 to Wales

10 February 2007, Murrayfield
21 – 9 to Scotland

12 February 2006, Millennium Stadium
28 – 18 to Wales

13 March 2005, Murrayfield
22 – 46 to Wales

14 February 2004, Millennium Stadium
23 – 10 to Wales

30 August 2003, Millennium Stadium
23 – 9 to Wales (2003 Rugby World Cup preparatory game)

8 March 2003, Murrayfield
30 – 22 to Scotland

6 April 2002, Millennium Stadium
22 – 27 to Scotland

C. Teams

1. Wales

15 Liam Williams (Scarlets)
14 Alex Cuthbert (Cardiff Blues)
13 Jonathan Davies (Scarlets)
12 Jamie Roberts (Racing Metro)
11 George North (Northampton Saints)
10 Dan Biggar (Ospreys)
09 Mike Phillips (Racing Metro)

01 Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues)
02 Ken Owens (Scarlets)
03 Rhodri Jones (Scarlets)
04 Luke Charteris (Perpignan)
05 Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys)
06 Dan Lydiate (Racing Metro)
07 Sam Warburton (CAPT – Cardiff Blues)
08 Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons)

Replacements:
16 Richard Hibbard (Ospreys)
17 Paul James (Bath Rugby)
18 Adam Jones (Ospreys)
19 Jake Ball (Scarlets)
20 Justin Tipuric (Ospreys)
21 Rhodri Williams (Scarlets)
22 Rhys Priestland (Scarlets)
23 James Hook (Perpignan)

2. Scotland

15 Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors)
14 Dougie Fife(Edinburgh Rugby)
13 Alex Dunbar (Glasgow Warriors) 7
12 Matt Scott (Edinburgh Rugby)
11 Max Evans (Castres)
10 Duncan Weir (Glasgow Warriors)
9 Greig Laidlaw (Edinburgh Rugby) vice-cpt

1 Ryan Grant (Glasgow Warriors)
2 Scott Lawson (Newcastle Falcons)
3 Geoff Cross (Edinburgh Rugby)
4 Richie Gray (Castres)
5 Jim Hamilton (Montpellier)
6 Ryan Wilson (Glasgow Warriors)
7 Kelly Brown (Saracens) captain
8 David Denton (Edinburgh Rugby)

Substitutes
16 Ross Ford (Edinburgh Rugby)
17 Alasdair Dickinson (Edinburgh Rugby)
18 Euan Murray (Worcester Warriors)
19 Tim Swinson (Glasgow Warriors)
20 Alasdair Strokosch (Perpignan)
21 Chris Cusiter (Glasgow Warriors)
22 Duncan Taylor (Saracens)
23 Jack Cuthbert (Edinburgh Rugby)

RDW_Scotland wrote:Suggestions in the press that Gatland is going to make some changes.

Not sure whether that works for us or against us - we know exactly what to expect if he picks the same team, and Wales have some exciting young players waiting in the wings.

There will be at least 2 enforced ones with Webb and Halfpenny out injured, Jenkins should be dropped and maybe Tipuric to start but for Tips to have any impact on the game our game plan need to change.

To be honest I think Scotland stand a better chance if Wales do play Gatlandball.

We do well against teams who try to run at us and take us on up front - i.e. the French and Italy games recently - but can't cope overly well with a team with skillfull runners who go for gaps and play at pace.

If you play Warburton and Tipuric on the flanks together you'll clean up. Scotland play "above the ground" these days, and our breakdown skills are non-existant.

Scott Johnson views specialist opensides as completely unnecessary luxuries that are only for the best teams in the world. The future is having forwards playing out of position, and SJ is running a mini-competition to see how many number 8's he can shoe horn into the same match day 22.

Play Warburton and Tipuric together and you'll win comfortably.

funnyExiledScot wrote:If you play Warburton and Tipuric on the flanks together you'll clean up. Scotland play "above the ground" these days, and our breakdown skills are non-existant.

Scott Johnson views specialist opensides as completely unnecessary luxuries that are only for the best teams in the world. The future is having forwards playing out of position, and SJ is running a mini-competition to see how many number 8's he can shoe horn into the same match day 22.

Play Warburton and Tipuric together and you'll win comfortably.

23 - do keep up

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:

funnyExiledScot wrote:If you play Warburton and Tipuric on the flanks together you'll clean up. Scotland play "above the ground" these days, and our breakdown skills are non-existant.

Scott Johnson views specialist opensides as completely unnecessary luxuries that are only for the best teams in the world. The future is having forwards playing out of position, and SJ is running a mini-competition to see how many number 8's he can shoe horn into the same match day 22.

Play Warburton and Tipuric together and you'll win comfortably.

23 - do keep up

  

This is embarrassing. It's like being told by my great uncle how to operate a mobile phone.....

funnyExiledScot wrote:If you play Warburton and Tipuric on the flanks together you'll clean up. Scotland play "above the ground" these days, and our breakdown skills are non-existant.

Scott Johnson views specialist opensides as completely unnecessary luxuries that are only for the best teams in the world. The future is having forwards playing out of position, and SJ is running a mini-competition to see how many number 8's he can shoe horn into the same match day 22.

Play Warburton and Tipuric together and you'll win comfortably.

Did a ye olde Scotland team not play two number 8s in the 2nd row once in a big match, and ran out comfortable winners?

Indeed, but it wasn't that comfortable, and it was a long old time ago. Back then you could commit numerous indiscretions without penalty, and by accounts we did.

Still, I wouldn't put it past Scott Johnson:

2.McInally 4.Denton 5.Beattie 6.Wilson 7.Vernon 8.Hogg

  Warburton and Tipuric vs Wilson and Brown

Don't recall that. What I do remember was that playing two opensides (Rennie at 7 and Barclay at 8) with a proper blindside (Al Strokosch) was enough to nullify David Pocock and beat Australia as recently as 2012.

GC - you can't expect us to learn from the recent past. That would be insane.

funnyExiledScot wrote:Indeed, but it wasn't that comfortable, and it was a long old time ago. Back then you could commit numerous indiscretions without penalty, and by accounts we did.

Still, I wouldn't put it past Scott Johnson:

2.McInally 4.Denton 5.Beattie 6.Wilson 7.Vernon 8.Hogg

Uncle Dougie could still make the 23. Then again, it's a French referee and he doesn't really like "foreigners".

What is very frustrating is that, had we beaten France like we should have, we would have been level with Wales going into this game.

Not that it would make much of a difference - we haven't beaten Wales in a very long time - 2007 in fact!

I don't know what Barclay has to do to get into the squad.

His ommission this 6N has been baffling.

If Wales bring out Tip's and Warb's I agree we will get murked. However I think this game will be closer than expected.

well he might as well field a experimental Welsh side . its a nothing game . we dont even effect other teams to win the tournament . Ireland beat France then they win . England will try to rack up the points against Italy but the lead is too much . Wales hopefully go for a more running game . biggar to start but i would love to see another ten given a chance .

As a wise man once said

"I have a cunning plan"

Barclay is already down in Wales. When the team are gettin off the bus, Barclay could could barge Wilson or A.N. Other out the way and take thier place in the dressing room.

SJ wouldn't notice until halfway through the post match meal!

jimmyinthewell68 wrote:well he might as well field a experimental Welsh side  . its a nothing game . we dont even  effect other teams to win the tournament . Ireland beat France then they win . England will try to rack up the points against Italy but the lead is too much .   Wales hopefully go for a more running game . biggar to start but i would love to see another ten given a chance .

Totally agree. Why wouldn't you stick Patchell, Tovey or young Sam Davies in there? I'm serious. What has anyone got to lose?

George Carlin wrote:

jimmyinthewell68 wrote:well he might as well field a experimental Welsh side  . its a nothing game . we dont even  effect other teams to win the tournament . Ireland beat France then they win . England will try to rack up the points against Italy but the lead is too much .   Wales hopefully go for a more running game . biggar to start but i would love to see another ten given a chance .

Totally agree. Why wouldn't you stick Patchell, Tovey or young Sam Davies in there? I'm serious. What has anyone got to lose?

Patchell is injured; he was in the squad pre 6N, but is out for a few months after having a knee op (and a shoulder one too). I'd rather see Owen Williams ahead of Sam Davies; he's looked good in the handful of Tigers games I've seen him play in, although I'm sure some of their fans on here could give a more accurate appraisal.

RDW_Scotland wrote:What is very frustrating is that, had we beaten France like we should have, we would have been level with Wales going into this game.

Not that it would make much of a difference - we haven't beaten Wales in a very long time - 2007 in fact!

2002 was last win in Cardiff for Scotland.

Expect a much improved Welsh performance, we'll have to play near 100% to beat them this weekend.

If our set-piece can perform again, the defense gets off the line throughout and stops their big carriers behind the gain-line, we stop giving away so many penalties, and most importantly kick accurately to keep them deep then we'll have a chance.

Back-row will be a huge battle and I fear Johnson's selection policy will give them the advantage (Brown, Barclay, Denton please!!). I'd be tempted by Harley, good at chopping attackers down and a good engine.

Big blow for the Welsh losing Halfpenny, obviously he's a good defender but it's his kicking that'll be missed most.  But I suspect Biggar will start and his kicking is pretty good too, probably not as reliable from 10m line though.

Personally I'd like to see Hogg less at first receiver and out at 3rd in the wider channels where his pace can really cause problems.

Other than back-row and Evans on wing, can't see Johnson making any changes.

I'd like Ford, Murray & Gray jnr off the bench at 60 for a powerful final quarter.

[quote="Scrumpy"]I've just been given a couple of tickets for this game should I wear my England top (Collar up) and enjoy the day out, enjoy the day out and pretend to be either Welsh or Scottish or stay at home and watch Scotland lose on the tv?   [/quote
48a Park St Beeston Nottingham NG 9 DH
That's my address if you decide not to go. Sorry can't email the stamp  

Supposedly Webb and Charteris might be fit. I didn't think Charteris' injury would be that bad that he would miss two weeks anyway.

Good point on Hogg as first receiver - he is far more dangerous a bit further out, although handy to have him as first receiver because of his massive boot.

so who you think be full back for Wales . Williams or hook

I think that it really has to be Williams. Gats has given no indication Hook will be on the field.
Besides, we all know what Hook can do - Williams needs the experience.

Well Wales were poor and I still don't understand how Scotland lost agaisnt Rfance so both will have a lot to prove. We haven't seemed to excel from last year and will need a boost going to South Africa so we need a good shift. No doubt Scotland have dangers but they cant finish a game which is my biggest frustration for them. A few changes should be made not many player played well vs England apart from both lock and Sam. My team vs Scotland is:

1. Paul James -  nothing against Gethin because he was screwed over at scrum time on Saturday (is was revealed by bbc today that he felt he was signaled out and i agree with him). It's just Paul has been great of the bench and deserves a start to prove himself. I would stick with Gethin but I think Paul might get his chance and rightfully.
2. Ken Owens - same as Paul, deserves a shot as he has been good of the bench and Hibabrd just looks tired
3. Adam Jones - still don't understand why he was swapped for Rhodri after we destroyed their scrum when when Paul came one
4. Alyn Wyn Jones - was one of the only good players on saturday
5. Jake Ball - was another one of the only good players saturday, he has shone so far on the international stage
6. Dan Lydiate - has been hot and cold through the tournament, need to end on a high
7. Sam Warburton - was our best player on saturday, has been great since the Ireland game
8. Toby Falatau - another who needs to proves himself of late, hasn't stood out enough
for me this tournament; especially ill all the great 8's each nation has now.

9. Rhys Webb - I think he is fit, we need to keep with him. he blew hot and cold vs England but we don't go 2 step forwards picking Rhys and then 1 step back by bringing back Mike.
10. Dan Biggar -  HAS to start, Rhys just isn't reliable enough for me
11. George North - we don't use him enough and it has shown in our attack this tournament.
12. Jamie Roberts- had is worst game of the championship vs england and will want to prove himself
13. John Davies - just coming back from injury and needs the intensity of international rugby.
14. Alex Cutbert - exact same situation has North
15. James Hook - I would bring Byrne in personally but it's to late for that now so i will go for Hook flair

George Carlin wrote:I think that it really has to be Williams. Gats has given no indication Hook will be on the field.
Besides, we all know what Hook can do - Williams needs the experience.

Here's a question. How many Welsh candidates for the fly half position are better than Duncan Weir, the likely starter for Scotland?

Priestland, Hook, Williams, Biggar, Morgan, Tovey, Patchell, Davies, Henson.....any others?

  

funnyExiledScot wrote:

George Carlin wrote:I think that it really has to be Williams. Gats has given no indication Hook will be on the field.
Besides, we all know what Hook can do - Williams needs the experience.

Here's a question. How many Welsh candidates for the fly half position are better than Duncan Weir, the likely starter for Scotland?

Priestland, Hook, Williams, Biggar, Morgan, Tovey, Patchell, Davies, Henson.....any others?

  

Ah but how many Welsh wingers are better than Max Evans?

Oh wait...

Evans has scored at the Millenium before, under the creative influence of Dan Parks no less!

I have more faith in Evans crossing the line than I do Sean Lamont. Then again, I do worry that Alex Cuthbert might actually hurdle Evans on his way to the try line.

If bringing Phillips back is a step backwards then what is putting Hook at XV?

People have said along that Li Williams' best position is XV not wing so now we have the chance lets put him there and see how he goes.

I would drop AWJ.Charteris and Ball to start with Coombs on bench.AWJ should be a stand out senior player.
Minds need to be focussed.

bedfordwelsh wrote:If bringing Phillips back is a step backwards then what is putting Hook at XV?

People have said along that Li Williams' best position is XV not wing so now we have the chance lets put him there and see how he goes.

I would have no problem with Liam at 15 but i would just like to see Hook have a chance in the position he has played well for all season. Mike Phillips has proved now that he isn't the way froward and has a negative affect on our game. Hook hasn't been given a chance at XV yet has he, i see yo not his biggest fan but he is still only 28 mind and can still offer a lot for wales when in form.

Jhamer,

Hook has had over 70 chances and never been able to make any position his own. Don't get me wrong he is a great asset to the squad because of his utility but he isn't No1 choice at 10 centre or XV.

Scottish Rugby YouTube channel saying that Brown will win his 63rd cap at Cardiff. So he'll be starting. Was a given though.

--

Team announcement tomorrow

Philips and Laidlaw can complete to see who has the slowest pass. It's a close run thing.

I am also rather concerned that the dump Alex Cuthbert took this morning was larger than Maxwell Evans.

I thought that Ball played well in the last game - why would you drop him? If we play Gray and Evans then you may need AWJ in the lineout, although I agree that you know what you're going to get with him, so why not let the youngfellers have a crack and keep him on the bench?

George Carlin wrote:Philips and Laidlaw can complete to see who has the slowest pass. It's a close run thing.

I am also rather concerned that the dump Alex Cuthbert took this morning was larger than Maxwell Evans.

I thought that Ball played well in the last game - why would you drop him? If we play Gray and Evans then you may need AWJ in the lineout, although I agree that you know what you're going to get with him, so why not let the youngfellers have a crack and keep him on the bench?

Here is something that I thought I wouldn't say, I reckon Max Evans is doing pretty well at the moment. Furthermore we might miss Lamont's physicallity in defence but I feel Max will finish chances he is presented with.

I wouldn't have dropped Ball for the England game. No way do players like AWJ deserve to just come straight back in. The two locks played very well v France (Charteris and Ball) and deserved a start v England.

Will be interesting to sed what Scotland's backline is like when both wingers have pace...

No doubt about it Visser and Maitland have been missed, although Seymore has been excellent and IMO has done more with his chances than Maitland has in the Navy blue.

Agreed, RDW.

I think that most people would have our best backline at present down as:

09 Cusiter
10 Weir
11 Visser
12 Scott
13 Dunbar
14 Maitland
15 Hogg

SJ either will not or cannot choose the three in bold at the moment. And that is one of the most significant problems we have.

Scotsman suggesting a Wilson-Brown-Denton Backrow.

Baws.

did you expect anything else?

Imagine if Gatland goes for the tipuric and Warburton at the same time tactic again!

Nom nom - turnover ball for Wales

So, if the Hootsman is correct the question is will His Rabidness stick with Kellybrows at 7? Unlike the French the Welsh back row are positively subterranean. Without a "proper" seven we will see no ball at all.
6. Wilson.. no, he's an 8 put in Strokes or Big Bad Bob Harley in to chop Faletau on the gain line. Obviously should be Kellybrows6.
7. Kellybrows... no, he's a 6 put in Barclay or Fozzie, or Rennie.
8. Denton.. who is averaging 3 metres per carry. Is that four strides? And he beats 0.85 defenders per game. I would seriously consider that he will be coughing up possession all day; pick up ball, get chopped, wait for no7 to support, watch Warburton snaffle ball, repeat ad nauseum. Wilson at 8.
Front five will probably be unchanged, as long as Grant is fit.
Half-backs Needs to keep faith with Weir, but Laidlaw is probably still standing on the pitch at Murrayfield just getting ready to whip that pass away. Cusiter should start.
With the exception of Evans for Schlong no other changes.
However, I wouldn't be surprised to see at least six changes Rab C being well, himself.

Slightly odd to name half a team today (forwards) and the other part (backs) tomorrow, Richie Vernon and Lee Jones added to the squad.

It gets worse

I think the only changes will be due to injury, so I think we can expect the same team with Wilson and Evans replacing Beattie and Lamont.

Question will be who goes onto the bench. Fusaro would be an obvious choice to cover the back row, but it's not obvious who Johnson will go for as cover for the outside backs. Having fly half cover on the bench might be sensible, and Jackson would be the only obvious candidate. Dougie Fife would be my choice, but I assume for ASBO and GC it's a mighty close call between Finn Russell and Mark Bennett, who will both be world class soon.....

If Scott Johnson overreacts in the same way as the fans on here, Swinson will probably be dropped as well for Jonny Gray.

Vernon and Jones?? God help us!

funnyExiledScot wrote:I think the only changes will be due to injury, so I think we can expect the same team with Wilson and Evans replacing Beattie and Lamont.

Question will be who goes onto the bench. Fusaro would be an obvious choice to cover the back row, but it's not obvious who Johnson will go for as cover for the outside backs. Having fly half cover on the bench might be sensible, and Jackson would be the only obvious candidate. Dougie Fife would be my choice, but I assume for ASBO and GC it's a mighty close call between Finn Russell and Mark Bennett, who will both be world class soon.....

If Scott Johnson overreacts in the same way as the fans on here, Swinson will probably be dropped as well for Jonny Gray.

The forwards and subs have already been named; Wilson is at 6, Brown at 7 and Denton at 8. Strokosch is on the bench.

Why name half the team? Why not hold back until you know who's fit. Also why for every single game has RabC named his team, or in this case part of his team, before the opposition named theirs?
If I was Gatland I'd be doing what Tattie said and start Warburton & Tipuric. Those 2 against our 8,6,8 backrow row would be like kids in a sweet shop and we'll be hammered at the rucks and blown off the park.

Any explanation from Scott Johnson as to why this completely bizarre decision has been made??

Any injuries we're particularly concerned about in the backs? We know that Lamont is out, anyone else?

Someone please get this clown away from Scottish rugby.

Scotland (sponsor RBS) to play Wales in the RBS 6 Nations Championship at the Millennium Stadium, Cardiff on Saturday 15 March, kick-off 2.45pm

Backs from

Chris Cusiter (Glasgow Warriors) 67 caps, 3 tries, 15 points
Jack Cuthbert (Edinburgh Rugby) 1 cap
Alex Dunbar (Glasgow Warriors) 7 caps, 3 tries, 15 points
Max Evans (Castres) 41 caps, 3 tries, 15 points
Dougie Fife (Edinburgh Rugby) uncapped
Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors) 19 caps, 4 tries, 20 points
Ruaridh Jackson (Glasgow Warriors)23 caps, 3 conversions, 2 penalties, 2 drop-goals, 18 points
Lee Jones (Glasgow Warriors) 4 caps, 1 try, 5 points
Greig Laidlaw (Edinburgh Rugby) 28 caps, 3 tries, 25 conversions, 58 penalties, 239 points
Matt Scott (Edinburgh Rugby) 20 caps, 3 tries, 15 points
Duncan Taylor (Saracens) 9 caps
Richie Vernon (Glasgow Warriors) 20 caps
Duncan Weir (Glasgow Warriors) 12 caps, 1 try, 3 conversions, 1 penalty, 1 drop-goal, 17 points

Not considered due to injury: Nick De Luca (Edinburgh Rugby)

Forwards

1 Ryan Grant (Glasgow Warriors) 17 caps
2 Scott Lawson (Newcastle Falcons) 42 caps, 2 tries, 10 points
3 Geoff Cross (Edinburgh Rugby) 27 caps, 1 try, 5 points
4 Richie Gray (Castres) 36 caps, 1 try, 5 points
5 Jim Hamilton (Montpellier) 54 caps, 1 try, 5 points
6 Ryan Wilson (Glasgow Warriors) 8 caps
7 Kelly Brown (Saracens) captain 62 caps, 4 tries, 20 points
8 David Denton (Edinburgh Rugby) 21 caps

Substitutes

16 Ross Ford (Edinburgh Rugby) 74 caps, 2 tries, 10 points
17 Alasdair Dickinson (Edinburgh Rugby) 33 caps, 2 tries, 10 points
18 Euan Murray (Worcester Warriors) 58 caps, 2 tries, 10 points
19 Tim Swinson (Glasgow Warriors) 6 caps
20 Alasdair Strokosch (Perpignan) 37 caps, 2 tries, 10 points

Referee: Jerome Garces (France). Assistant referees: Chris Pollock (New Zealand) and Greg Garner (England). TMO: Graham Hughes (England).