Wales v Scotland: Get ready for a set-piece war (From Western Telegraph)

Wales v Scotland: Get ready for a set-piece war

12:20pm Saturday 11th February 2012 in Wales Rugby By Chris Kirwan

WALES are preparing for a set piece battle with a bigger, heavier front five when they take on Scotland at the Millenn-ium Stadium.

The hosts’ front and second rows for tomorrow’s encounter weigh in at 571 kgs, while the visitors tip the scales at 591.

Not only that but Scotland coach Andy Robinson fields an imposing second row partnership that comprises of 6ft 9in Richie Gray and 6ft 8in Jim Hamilton.

It means that Wales lock Ian Evans is set for a busy afternoon, combining a physical battle with the big duo with leading the lineout with 30 calls going through his head.

“They are about as big a combination as you could have and it’s going to be a tough battle up front,” said Evans, who will join forces with Ospreys teammate Ryan Jones.

“Not only does Richie have a big physical presence but he is dangerous with his ball carries, has great speed and an aerial threat at the lineout.

“He is a great athlete and I have a lot of respect for him as I do for Jim, who is a heavy, physical and tough opponent.

“Scotland have always had a good lineout so it will be a good challenge.

“Everyone says ours creaked in Ireland but we scored a try from one and ironed out some errors from the first half. Hopefully we can progress from there.”

Head coach Warren Gatland has recalled Cardiff Blues loosehead Gethin Jenkins to an experienced Wales front row that boasts 209 caps between them.

Ospreys tighthead Adam Jones, who has 76 of them, expects the tussle in the scrum to be just as fierce as it will be at the lineout.

He said: “Euan Murray is a big loss for them (the tighthead doesn’t play on Sundays for religious reasons) but Geoff Cross has done a good job and then there is Ross Ford and Allan Jaconsen who are seasoned campaigners.

“They have got a much bigger front five than us and it will be a fair old battle. They are big men but it’s technique as well as size.

“We will just have to try our best to get the ball to the backs, it’s gone from a plan of just getting the ball to Shane Williams to getting it to George North.”