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Preview: Wales v Scotland

The flyhalf limped out of last weekend's 16-all draw with Ireland after just 20 minutes with an ankle injury, but is fit to start at the recently renamed Principality Stadium on Saturday.

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Biggar's recovery has allowed head coach Warren Gatland to pick an unchanged side as Wales go in search of their ninth straight win over the Scots.

Gatland said: "Dan had to get through training [on Thursday] to be in the frame for selection, and he did that and looked sharp. He has made a miraculous recovery and the boys have been joking, calling him Lazarus.

"We feared the worst after the game when you saw him in a [surgical] boot and on crutches. We spoke to the medics who thought it was a three-to-five-week injury.

"But the scan came back clear and he has worked really hard since the game in terms of his recovery so it's great to be able to name an unchanged side."

Jonathan Davies will win his 50th international cap in the centre, alongside long-term midfield partner Jamie Roberts.

Liam Williams, an 11th-hour replacement in Dublin for the injured Gareth Anscombe, retains his place at full-back, but Anscombe has shrugged off a hamstring complaint to take up a place on a vastly experienced bench.

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Rookie prop Rob Evans and flanker Justin Tipuric have also held onto their places ahead of British and Irish Lions pair Gethin Jenkins and Dan Lydiate.

Jenkins is one of only two players in the Wales squad to have lost to Scotland, who have not won in Cardiff for 14 years and arrive on the back of their worst run in the Championship – eight successive defeats – since the 1950s.

Saracens centre Duncan Taylor is the only change to the Scotland side beaten 15-9 by England last weekend, after Matt Scott picked up a quadricep injury in training.

Stuart Hogg, Sean Maitland and Tommy Seymour make up the back three, with the backs completed by flyhalf Finn Russell and captain Greig Laidlaw.

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John Barclay, who plays his rugby in west Wales for the Scarlets, packs down in the back row alongside John Hardie and David Denton.

Brothers Jonny and Richie Gray are the second-row pairing, behind the all-Edinburgh front-row of Alasdair Dickinson, Ross Ford and WP Nel.

"This group have worked exceptionally hard this week to improve their accuracy under pressure after a frustrating opening game against England," said head coach Vern Cotter.

"We created opportunities that could have been capitalised upon and converted into points. As a team we know we can perform better and believe we're capable of making improvements all over the park.

"We know that Wales in Cardiff will not be easy, but our focus is on improving our attacking and defensive mind-set."

The game will be played 'indoors' after Cotter agreed for the stadium roof to be closed. Under Six Nations rules, both teams must agree for the roof to be shut.

Gatland added: "Having the roof closed means the weather is not going to come into play. The atmosphere is going to be brilliant, with a sell-out crowd, and we are excited about it.

"By the looks of it, both teams want to go out and play some rugby."

Players to watch:

Preview: Wales v ScotlandFor Wales: You will keep an eye on flyhalf Dan Biggar to see if his ankle will last the entire game. Suspicions remain, despite coach Warren Gatland's assurances. Last week veteran centre Jamie Roberts was a rock on defence. Maybe this week he will also show he still has some attacking flair. No.8 Taulupe Faletau is always strong with ball in hand, but the real 'monsters' up front are locks Alun Wyn Jones and Luke Charteris.

Preview: Wales v ScotlandFor Scotland: Fullback Stuart Hogg is one of their few superstars and a key player. Captain Greig Laidlaw is another key back, who will have a crucial role to play if there is to be an upset. The Gray brothers, Jonny and Richie, are the driving force in a pack of forwards that will be under pressure.

Head to head: You will fid contests right across the park, but in the backline the showdown between veteran Welsh centre Jamie Roberts and Scotland rival Duncan Taylor will be an intriguing battle of brute force versus skill, the brawny Roberts versus the rangy Taylor. At the back of the scrum there is plenty of bulk and brawn in Taulupe Faletau (Wales) versus David Denton (Scotland). However, the biggest battle, literally, is in the second row – where the Welsh pair of Alun Wyn Jones and Luke Charteris will face off against Scotland's Gray brothers, Jonny and Richie.

Recent results:Preview: Wales v Scotland

2015: Wales won 26-23, Edinburgh

2014: Wales won 51-3, Cardiff

2013: Wales won 28-18, Edinburgh

2012: Wales won 27-13, Cardiff

2011: Wales won 24-6, Edinburgh

2010: Wales won 31-24, Cardiff

2009: Wales won 26-13, Edinburgh

2008: Wales won 30-15, Cardiff

2007: Scotland won 21-9, Edinburgh

2006: Wales won 28-18, Cardiff

Prediction: Scotland often keep it close, but seldom win. The results of their last 10 encounters tell a story of their own – nine wins for the Welsh. There is nothing to suggest Scotland can buck the trend. The margin of Wales' win on Saturday is likely to be between 10 and 15 points.

Teams:

Preview: Wales v ScotlandPreview: Wales v Scotland

Date: Saturday, February 13

Venue: Millennium Stadium, Cardiff

Kick-off: 16.50 (16.50 GMT)

Expected weather: It will be a largely dry day, with variable cloud and bright spells. However, patchy rain, sleet and hill snow has not been ruled out. High of 5°C and a low of 3°C

Referee: George Clancy (Ireland)

Assistant referees: John Lacey (Ireland), Federico Anselmi (Argentina)

TMO: Graham Hughes (England)

Agence France-Presse & @rugby365com

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