Wales v Scotland: The Scotland coach, Matt Williams, yesterday called on his players to reflect the "warrior" tradition of the nation as he prepared for his first match in charge against Wales at the Millennium Stadium.
"Scots have always been great inventors," said the Australian Williams, who took over from Ian McGeechan last December. "They have a warrior-soldier-fighter tradition and I want the national team to reflect the character of their people.
"I am feeling surprisingly relaxed after a build-up which has put us way in front of where I thought we would be at this stage. There is a real feeling that this is the first step on a long journey and I am confident the players will show the pride and passion needed to ignite the Scottish people."
Williams has not only changed the side markedly from the World Cup, he has also adopted a different approach off the field. The Scots have now all been given a number, which will be emblazoned on their kit and baggage for life, one which represents how many players before them had been capped.
"There have been 975 Scottish internationals and that number will increase by three on Saturday," said Williams. "In the past, players have had tour numbers of their names on kit but they now all have a number they will keep for life.
"Unlike us, Wales have been together for a couple of years and they are reaping the benefits of the hard work they have put in together. You get all the joys with young players and all the worries, as parents of teenage children will tell you. Mistakes will be made - it is unrealistic to expect us to win every game."
While Scotland have experience at forward, they are raw behind the scrum, where their most capped player and captain, Chris Paterson, is making only his third international appearance at outhalf.
Williams has also included three uncapped players in his team - in Edinburgh centre Tom Philip, Borders scrumhalf Chris Cusiter and Edinburgh back-row forward Allister Hogg.
The question today is how Wales will play: with caution as in their opening World Cup matches or with the reckless abandon of the matches against New Zealand and Italy and the brilliance of their game against England.
"I have no preconceived ideas," said Williams. "Going to the Millennium Stadium is a source of pride and joy for me. When I was growing up in Australia, Wales were our idols.
"The Wallabies were very poor then, losing to Tonga, and we did not get many touring teams. The Welsh kept us going in the early 1970s and to be part of a match at the old Arms Park is wonderful."
WALES: G Thomas; R Williams, S Parker, I Harris, S Williams; S Jones, G Cooper; D Jones, M Davies, A Jones, B Cockbain, G Llewellyn, C Charvis (capt), M Williams, D Jones. Replacements: H Bennett, G Williams, J Thomas, T Shanklin, G Jenkins, M Owen), D Peel, C Sweeney.
SCOTLAND: B Hinshelwood; S Danielli, T Philip, B Laney; A Henderson, C Paterson (capt), C Cusiter; T Smith, G Bulloch, B Douglas, S Murray, S Grimes, C Mather, A Hogg, S Taylor. Replacements: R Russell, G Kerr, J White, S Cross, M Blair, D Parks, S Webster.
Referee: Donal Courtney (Ireland)
