Scotland wary of Wales team 'playing with freedom'

Darcy Graham returns in the only change to Scotland's XV

Guinness Men's Six Nations: Scotland v Wales

Venue: Scottish Gas Murrayfield, Edinburgh Date: Saturday, 8 March Kick-off: 16:45 GMT

Coverage: Watch on BBC One, listen on Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio Scotland & BBC Sounds; text commentary and highlights on BBC Sport website and app

Gregor Townsend says Scotland will be up against a Wales side "playing with freedom" when the sides meet in the Six Nations on Saturday.

Wales are on a 15-match losing run, but were buoyed by a courageous display in their 27-18 defeat to Ireland in round three - interim coach Matt Sherratt's first match in charge after replacing Warren Gatland.

The Scots are looking to salvage something from the campaign after back-to-back defeats by Ireland and England ended their title hopes.

And while the Scots remain favourites, Townsend saw enough from Wales against the Irish to know they present a danger to his side at Murrayfield.

"You could argue that they had opportunities to win that game on the balance of play," Townsend said. "They dominated large parts of it.

"They're a quality side. They've been on a run where they've had those defeats, but they've got some really good players.

"They've got experienced players back now and they're playing with freedom. I'm sure they'll come up with that spirit of wanting to try things this weekend."

Darcy Graham returns to the Scotland starting line-up in the only change to the side that lost in a dramatic finale to England.

The Edinburgh wing missed the match at Twickenham after being concussed during the defeat by Ireland in the second match of the tournament.

He replaces Glasgow Warriors' Kyle Rowe, who drops to the bench.

Wales scrum coach Adam Jones said this week "the pressure is all on Scotland", and Townsend believes the visitors will arrive motivated to cause an upset.

"Looking at them, maybe they feel it's a free hit," he said. "But their expectations will have gone up.

"We've two games to go. We don't know where that's going to leave us at the end of the competition if we did manage to get two wins, but there's a lot to play for."

Graham return not unexpected - analysis

Tom English, BBC Scotland's chief sports writer

Rowe has done a fine job in Graham's absence, but the minute that Townsend was confident of the latter's fitness then he was always going to return.

Graham made a blistering start to the Six Nations with a line-break that was the turning point of the game. He was on fire.

Missing the England game and much of the Ireland match has damaged his Lions hopes, but he's back now. As well as trying to rescue Scotland's season, the Lions will be on his mind for sure.

Graham has the oddest of records against Wales. He's scored against them in 2019, 2021 and 2022 - all losses.

He didn't score against them in his other appearance - in 2020 - and Scotland won. Graham missed the victories in 2023 and 2024. He'll be motivated to the high heavens on Saturday.

Scotland line-up to face Wales

Starting XV: Blair Kinghorn (Toulouse), Darcy Graham (Edinburgh), Huw Jones (Glasgow Warriors), Tom Jordan (Glasgow Warriors), Duhan van der Merwe (Edinburgh), Finn Russell, co-captain (Bath), Ben White (Toulon); Pierre Schoeman (Edinburgh), Dave Cherry (Edinburgh), Zander Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors), Jonny Gray (Bordeaux Begles), Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh), Jamie Ritchie (Edinburgh), Rory Darge, co-captain (Glasgow Warriors), Jack Dempsey (Glasgow Warriors).

Replacements: Ewan Ashman (Edinburgh), Rory Sutherland (Glasgow Warriors), Will Hurd (Leicester Tigers), Gregor Brown (Glasgow Warriors), Matt Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors), George Horne (Glasgow Warriors), Stafford McDowall (Glasgow Warriors), Kyle Rowe (Glasgow Warriors).