Scotland don’t play sexy rugby, they play ugly rugby. Not ‘turn you to stone’ ugly but you wouldn’t take it home to meet your parents. If early signs prove right, then sexy rugby will have to wait till at least after this weekend.

As early as Tuesday, head coach Andy Robinson requested to have the roof on the Millennium Stadium stay open. This plus the inclusion of Dan Parks – the Glasgow fly half who is renowned for his kicking from hand – indicate Scotland’s plan will lean more towards kicking towards the corners and hoping to win the scrum battle with help from the returning Euan Murray.

A rainy and windy afternoon would prove a testing battle for the Welsh back three on Saturday. Full-back Lee Byrne came under similar pressure last weekend against England and looked shaky under the high ball, something surely taken into account by the Scotland coaching team this week.

Chris Paterson will win his 100th cap against the Welsh and Scotland’s hopes may well rest with the full-back’s robotic kicking ability.

With the Scots seemingly devoid of try-scoring instinct, Paterson may well have to win the game for his team with his goal-kicking, and the 31 year old will punish any infringement by the Welsh in their own half with his penalty-taking prowess.

Winger Rory Lamont returns on the wing, joining his brother Sean who moves to outside centre pushing Max Evans to the bench. Second row Nathan Hines is out with a calf injury meaning Edinburgh’s Jim Hamilton is included.

As for where to place your Six Nations Free Bet, it is worth noting that both teams will be looking to bounce back from opening weekend defeats and a win on Saturday is vital if either are to stay in with a chance of winning the tournament.

Wales, with home support will go into the match as firm favourites, but Scotland only have to look at their victory over Australia in November to know that they are capable pulling off big wins, against the Six Nations Betting odds.