Wales vs Scotland preview: Warren Gatland sticks to guns despite jibes

Quick recovery: Dan Biggar
Getty
Chris Jones12 February 2016

Warren Gatland has bad news for Wales fans hoping to see a more expansive approach against Scotland in Cardiff tomorrow.

The coach claims his players threw the ball around too much in the 16-16 draw with Ireland, although many observers begged to differ. Critics believe the match was the ultimate example of ‘Warrenball’, the intensely physical type of rugby that the Welsh coach loves and which sees players constantly carrying the ball into contact rather that looking for space.

Gatland is sticking to his guns and wants Wales to batter Scotland, who lost against England last weekend.

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The New Zealander has picked an unchanged team following Dan Biggar’s remarkable recovery from an ankle injury sustained against Ireland. He said: “We went out last weekend to play a little bit in the wider channels and try to develop our game.

“We didn’t execute that well enough. If you look at the stats, we would probably have been a little bit more direct. Johnny Sexton [Ireland fly-half] made two tackles in the game and both of them were covering tackles on George North.”

Scotland have drafted Saracens centre Duncan Taylor into their midfield and, having failed to score a try against the English, have to show more cutting edge in attack, with coach Vern Cotter agreeing to close the stadium roof to ensure a good surface. Cotter said: “We’re going to stick tight and work our way through this. It’s not going to be easy.”

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