Dan Biggar has recovered sufficiently from the ankle injury sustained against Ireland to start against Scotland as Warren Gatland names an unchanged line-up for the RBS 6 Nations clash.
Fly-half Biggar limped off inside 20 minutes at the Aviva Stadium but returns to start at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, with Rhys Priestland among the replacements. Jonathan Davies wins his 50th cap outside stand-out centre Jamie Roberts, who made 21 tackles in last weekend’s bruising encounter with the men in green.
Read Accenture analyst Nick Mallett on the RBS 6 Nations Captain Sam Warburton continues at blindside as Ospreys openside Justin Tipuric retains his place in the pack ahead of Dan Lydiate, with try-scorer Taulupe Faletau at number eight. Gareth Anscombe returns from the hamstring strain which kept him out of the 16-16 Ireland draw and Alex Cuthbert drops out of the match-day 23.
“It’s great to be able to name an unchanged side, with Dan coming through, fit and ready to play,” New Zealander Gatland said.
“It’s a reward for some players who put in a great shift in Dublin whilst we will be asking a little more of some of the players as well.
“It’s great to see Jonathan reach his 50th cap and continue his impressive international partnership with Jamie in the midfield.
“We were impressed with the impact from the bench last week and that will be just as vital this weekend in what s going to be a tough battle.”
Wales team to face Scotland:
15. Liam Williams (Scarlets) 14. George North (Northampton Saints) 13. Jonathan Davies (ASM Clermont Auvergne) 12. Jamie Roberts (Harlequins) 11. Tom James (Cardiff Blues) 10. Dan Biggar (Ospreys) 9. Gareth Davies (Scarlets)
1. Rob Evans (Scarlets) 2. Scott Baldwin (Ospreys) 3. Samson Lee (Scarlets) 4. Luke Charteris (Racing Metro) 5. Alun Wyn Jones (Ospreys) 6. Sam Warburton (Cardiff Blues) 7. Justin Tipuric (Ospreys) 8. Taulupe Faletau (Newport Gwent Dragons)
Replacements 16. Ken Owens (Scarlets) 17. Gethin Jenkins (Cardiff Blues) 18. Tomas Francis (Exeter Chiefs) 19. Bradley Davies (Wasps) 20. Dan Lydiate (Ospreys) 21. Lloyd Williams (Cardiff Blues) 22. Rhys Priestland (Bath Rugby) 23. Gareth Anscombe (Cardiff Blues)
Click here to view the 2016 RBS 6 Nations fixture list with TV coverage
