Six Nations/Wales v Scotland:If Wales's players are half as ruthless as their head coach, Warren Gatland, they will take their second step towards the Triple Crown against Scotland in Cardiff this Saturday.
The New Zealander was unmoved by his side's first victory at Twickenham for 20 years last weekend and yesterday made two unforced changes to the starting line-up.
The wing Mark Jones makes way for the uncapped 21-year-old Jamie Roberts, a medical student who stands 6ft 6in and weighs 16st 10lb, and another Cardiff Blues three-quarter, Tom Shanklin, replaces Sonny Parker in the centre.
Moreover, the backrow forward Alix Popham has been removed from the bench for conceding too many penalties against England and is replaced by the Gloucester number eight Gareth Delve.
The one enforced change Gatland had to make was in the second row, where Ian Evans comes in for his injured Ospreys team-mate Alun Wyn Jones.
The alterations mean Wales will take to the field with 12 Ospreys and three Blues and the team has more of an attacking intent, Gatland saying Parker had been chosen ahead of Shanklin at Twickenham primarily because of his greater familiarity with the blitz defence system Wales had adopted under Shaun Edwards.
Popham made an impact when he came on in the 14th minute for Jonathan Thomas, but he gave away a penalty immediately, became involved in a spat with Mark Regan in front of Wales's coaching contingent within a minute and was fortunate not to receive a yellow card at the end of the first half when he flopped over an England ruck five yards from his own line.
"It is not about being ruthless and putting fear into players, even if some of them may be surprised at how critical we have been this week about aspects of last Saturday's performance, but picking the best team," said Gatland. "I have spoken to all the players left out and told them the areas I want them to work on.
"Mark made a couple of defensive errors and Jamie is a big, physical man.
"Alix should have been yellow-carded and I was very disappointed with the penalties he gave away; he has things to work on to compete at this level."
- Guardian Service
