Combined XV: Scotland vs. Wales
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Wales will have one eye on the Grand Slam when they travel to Murrayfield this weekend to take on Scotland. Scotland have been unlucky with injuries so far this competition but have welcomed the likes of Finn Russell, WP Nel and Hamish Watson for the current Six Nations leaders while Wales made just one injury-enforced change with Adam Beard replacing Cory Hill.
Here is our combined team for the clash:
Front row: Rob Evans, Ken Owens, WP Nel
A close call on either side of Ken Owens who beats Stuart McInally. There are two hard working looseheads in Allan Dell and Rob Evans with the Welshman getting the edge while WP Nel's scrummaging just gets the edge of the ever impressive Tomas Francis.
Second Row: Jonny Gray, Alun Wyn Jones
Two world class second rowers in Jonny Gray and Alun Wyn Jones who get in the side at the expense of Adam and Grant Gilchrist. Both players get through a ton of work and are excellent in the lineout.
Back Row: Josh Navidi, Justin Tipuric, Ross Moriarty
The Welsh seem to have a fantastic back rower not matter how many injuries they have and in Navidi, Tipuric and Moriarty it is no different. Jamies Ritchie has been exceptional for Scotland this Six Nations but misses out to Tipuric while Josh Strauss just misses out to Ross Moriarty.
Halfbacks: Gareth Davies, Finn Russell
Two very close calls at 9 and 10 with both sides possessing talented players in both possessions. We have gone with the Welshman at scrumhalf and the Scotsman at flyhalf but ultimately it could have gone either way.
Midfield: Hadleigh Parkes, Jonathan Davies
The experienced pairing of Parkes and Davies get the nod in the midfield. Parkes has been a mainstay in the side since making his debut against South Africa while Davies is still regarded as one of the best outside centres in the game.
Outside Backs: Blair Kinghorn, George North, Liam Williams
A positional switch for Kinghorn as he slots into the left winger role alongside the Welsh pair of North and Williams. Certainly an exciting back three combination. Graham and Adams are both unlucky to miss out on the left winger role but it was difficult to leave any of our back three selections out of the side.
