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It wasn't too long ago that Scotland were reeling from a Welsh revival in Cardiff, managing to cling on and win by a point in a Six Nations thriller.

We might see similar high drama this Saturday, as games between Scotland and Wales in women's rugby are often excruciatingly tight affairs and this one is expected to be no different.

In addition, the match also represents the chance for Scotland to win a record seventh consecutive game.

Of course, players and staff have told us they're only focused on one game at a time. That may well be true, but fans are allowed to dream.

If Scotland were to notch an opening victory and repeat last season's feat of beating Italy and Ireland, they would win three Six Nations games for the first time since 2005 - when Spain competed instead of Italy.

In the 28-year history of the competition, Scotland have only won three or more games on four occasions. It would be an obvious indicator of how far this Scotland team has come in a short space of time.

It was just 2022 when Bryan Easson's side collected the Wooden Spoon, winless in all five matches - albeit picking up three losing bonus points.

Since then, they've gone toe to toe with Australia at a World Cup and won the inaugural WXV 2 competition, putting themselves on the brink of a historic seventh consecutive win.

Sara Orchard
Rugby union commentator on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra

Wales now have more than 30 players on full-time contracts. The investment by the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) into its women's programme has been swift and is accelerating.

However, that investment needs to be repaid with performances. Anything less than another third-place finish and that precious World Cup qualification secured, will be disappointment for Wales.

Closing the gap to England and France would also be significant, not just for Wales but the validity of the tournament and its structure going forward. In 2023, Wales lost by 56 points to England and by 25 points to France - if they can get that 81-point gap closer to 40 we will all be getting very excited.

Gloucester-Hartpury fly-half Lleucu George will be tasked with handling much of this pressure following the retirement of Elinor Snowsill. The 24-year-old has the opportunity to become a Wales great.

With Sioned Harries also hanging up her boots, this is a tournament where the likes of Sisilia Tuipulotu and Keira Bevan need to come of age and put on a show that will entice the Welsh public to go down to the Principality for a showdown with Italy in round five.

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Head-to-head:

• Since Italy joined the Women's Six Nations in 2007, Wales have won 14 of their 16 matches against Scotland in the Championship, including each of their seven meetings on Welsh soil during that period.
• Five of the last six Women's Six Nations matches between Wales and Scotland have been decided by margins of seven points or fewer, the exception being Wales' 34-22 win in Edinburgh last year.
• Scotland won more turnovers than any other team in the 2023 Women's Six Nations (40) and were one of two teams to concede fewer than 70 turnovers (59), alongside Wales, who conceded the fewest of any side last year (55).

Wales:

• This will be the 11th consecutive Women's Six Nations home game that Wales have played at Cardiff Arms Park, they've won three and lost seven of their 10 games in that run so far.
• Among the 101 players to feature for 160+ minutes in the 2023 Women's Six Nations, only Marlie Packer (1.6) won more jackal turnovers per 80 minutes than Wales' Alex Callender (1.4), while teammates Bethan Lewis (1.1) and Gwenllian Pyrs (1.0) were two of just three others to win at least one jackal turnover per 80.

Scotland:

• Scotland have picked up just one away win in the Women's Six Nations since Italy joined the Championship in 2007 (D1, L37), losing their last 10 games on the road by an average margin of 29 points.
• Scotland won their final two games of the 2023 Women's Six Nation. However, they've not won three on the spin in the Championship since before Italy joined the Championship in 2007, last doing so in 2005.

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Bryan Easson was dealt a late injury blow ahead of Scotland's Women's Six Nations opener against Wales.

Rachel McLachlan has had to pull out of the squad ahead of today's meeting in Cardiff.

The Sale Sharks openside flanker is replaced on the Scotland bench by 22-year-old Eva Donaldson, who has eight replacement appearances for the national team.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

Life has been full of big decisions for former England Under-20s captain Jenny Hesketh.

The first was choosing which shape ball to chase, having played both international rugby and football.

The second was which country to represent: England, her place of birth, or her mum's native Wales.

As Hesketh now prepares for a potential Wales debut in this year's Women's Six Nations, it is clear the egg and the three feathers won the day.

The 21-year-old Bath University student said it was a difficult decision not to continue in England's pathway, which she had been involved in since picking up a rugby ball aged six.

"It all happened quite quickly, but it was very exciting to be in talks with an international coach. It kind of came out of the blue in a way," said Hesketh.

"The opportunities that I've been presented with right now, to work towards a professional contract and how the game is changing in Wales, it's a really exciting thing to be a part of.

"It's the timing as well, for me to be possibly turning into a professionally contracted player in June when I graduate, it changes the shape of my next few years."

Elinor Snowsill
Former Wales fly-half on BBC Radio Wales

There's a nice balance to the Wales team. We're calling Sisilia Tuipulotu experienced, but she's only 20!

The front row were an absolute weapon for us last year, between Gwenllian Pyrs and her, they scored a lot of tries last year.

There's a lot of experience and tackling in the back row from Alex Callender, Alisha Butchers and Bethan Lewis.

At fly-half we know what Lleucu George can do and with the wind today we could see a lot of 50-22s.

Some absolute crackers here...

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Alex Stewart will make her Scotland debut at flanker, while Scotland also have three GB Sevens players in their match day squad.

Rhona Lloyd starts on the wing, Lisa Thomson at centre and Shona Campbell on the bench.

Scotland name a largely unchanged side which secured victory over Japan in the autumn and the WXV2 title.

The front row consists of Leah Bartlett, Lana Skeldon and Christine Belisle.

Emma Wassell and Sarah Bonar link up in the second row, with the captain Rachel Malcolm joining Stewart and Evie Gallagher in the back row.

Helen Nelson and Caity Mattinson form the half-backs, with Thomson joining Emma Orr in the midfield.

Lloyd makes up a backline with Edinburgh duo Meryl Smith and Coreen Grant.

Scotland: Meryl Smith; Rhona Lloyd, Emma Orr, Lisa Thomson, Coreen Grant; Helen Nelson, Caity Mattinson; Leah Bartlett, Lana Skeldon, Christine Belisle, Emma Wassell, Sarah Bonar, Rachel Malcolm, Alex Stewart, Evie Gallagher.

Replacements: Elis Martin, Molly Wright, Elliann Clarke, Louise McMillan, Eva Donaldson, Mairi McDonald, Shona Campbell, Chloe Rollie.

Image source, Huw Evans Picture Agency

It's a big day for full-back Jenny Hesketh who makes her Wales debut.

The former England Under-20s captain was called into the squad in February and qualifies through her Welsh mother.

There is also a Six Nations debut for wing Nel Metcalfe, while GB Sevens star Jasmine Joyce returns to rugby union.

Lock Natalia John returns to Wales' starting line-up after missing out on the WXV1 campaign in New Zealand in the autumn.

Scrum-half Sian Jones is also set for a debut off the bench after impressing in the Celtic Challenge.

Wales' pack has a familiar look to it.

Gwenllian Pyrs, Kelsey Jones and Sisilia Tuipulotu make up the front row, with John partnering Abbie Fleming in behind.

The back row sees Alex Callender and Alisha Butchers as flankers with Bethan Lewis packing down at number eight.

Lleucu George forms a half-back partnership with the experienced Keira Bevan, while captain Hannah Jones resumes her midfield partnership with Kerin Lake.

Joyce, Metcalfe and Hesketh make up a new-look backline, with usual starters Lisa Neumann not included in the matchday 23 and Carys Williams-Morris not named in the Six Nations squad.

Wales: Jenny Hesketh; Jasmine Joyce, Hannah Jones, Kerin Lake, Nel Metcalfe; Lleucu George, Keira Bevan; Gwenllian Pyrs, Kelsey Jones, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Natalia John, Abbie Fleming, Alisha Butchers, Alex Callender, Bethan Lewis.

Replacements: Carys Phillips, Abbey Constable, Donna Rose, Georgia Evans, Kate Williams, Sian Jones, Niamh Terry, Carys Cox.

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Prynhawn da and welcome to Cardiff Arms Park for what looks set to be a cracker of a game.

It may be the first game of the Six Nations for these teams but it already has the feel of a crucial match.

While few people are looking beyond England and France to fight out the top spots, third-place is up for grabs and both of these teams want it.

Hosts Wales have finished third for the past two seasons and last year ended the Six Nations with their highest position ever - sixth - in the world rankings.

Scotland finished fourth last year - their best showing in six years - and since then have won a WXV2 title in the autumn while Edinburgh produced a strong showing in the Celtic Challenge as runners-up.

So it's going to be a tough one to call this afternoon.

First, let's take a look at the teams.

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