When Scotland last played in Cardiff a couple of years ago, Wales were blown to smithereens as Duhan van der Merwe ran riot at the Principality Stadium.
Van der Merwe scored twice as Scotland raced into a 27-0 lead shortly after half-time. With Finn Russell carving Wales open at will, it was open season for the big powerhouse winger.
In all fairness, Wales produced a hell of a comeback. Scotland very nearly blew it, eventually squeaking home with a 27-26 win.
For Gregor Townsend, there are sure to be at least some fond memories of a game that finally ended a generation of pain in Cardiff – and it looks like that has been reflected in his team selection for Saturday.
After being dropped for the first two matches against Italy and England, Van der Merwe has been recalled on the wing.
His return is bound to send a shiver down the spine of a Wales team who have shipped 15 tries and over 100 points in their opening two defeats to England and France.
Van der Merwe scored two tries on his last trip to Cardiff with Scotland two years ago
The powerhouse winger helped Scotland to a 27-0 lead, but a Welsh comeback meant Gregor Townsend’s team won by a mere point in the end
There was always going to be a spot opening up on the wing after Jamie Dobie suffered a shoulder injury in the win over England last week.
But the fact it’s Van der Merwe who has been picked, and not Darcy Graham, is quite telling in terms of what Scotland’s gameplan will be.
Likewise the return of Blair Kinghorn at full-back. This team have been picked to go on the attack in an attempt to blitz Wales right from the off.
The pace and power of Van der Merwe and Kinghorn is demonstrative of a plan to get the ball wide and attack as much as possible in Cardiff.
In terms of a statement of intent, Townsend would have been as well marching straight on to the pitch and parking his tanks on the lawn.
‘We expect Duhan to play his best rugby,’ said Townsend. ‘That’s what we think of all our players when we give them an opportunity.
‘We want to see Duhan’s strength, which is very much on the ball-carrying.
‘His work-rate has always been really good at international level. He’s been a strong defender and has been in our defence leadership group in the past.
Van Der Merwe is congratulated after scoring Scotland’s third try, and Townsend will be hoping to see something similar on the winger’s return to the team
Van Der Merwe can’t resist a grin as he prepares to touch down for the Scots in Cardiff
‘In terms of that game a couple of years ago, if you’ve got evidence fresh in your minds that you’ve been in a stadium where you’ve won, that you’ve come up against the opposition, then it can count.
‘Every game unfolds in a different way ,and we’ve just got to make sure we bring our game right at the start and we carry that right through to the end.
‘I think the plan is for us to play our game and we’ve got to adjust our game to what’s working.
‘We feel within what we do that there’s different ways we can attack. We can be physical, we can move the ball to width, and we can also use a kicking game effectively.
‘Our players are aware of that. We also have to work out what the opposition are doing.
‘So far, Wales have started by kicking a lot, and then the game has opened up for them more in the second half. So, we’ve got to deal with their threats, we’ve got to deal with their set-piece threats.
‘But we’re aware, too, that it’s a 23-man game. We’re pleased with the starters we’re putting out this weekend but also the impact those guys off the bench can make.’
For all that Van der Merwe may have an incredible highlights reel in the Six Nations over recent years, he has been out of form for a while now.
Blair Kinghorn, shown scoring in Scotland’s 35-29 win over Wales at Murrayfield last year, also returns for the trip to Cardiff
He needs a big performance, and Townsend laid down the gauntlet to him and Kinghorn in terms of what is expected now they are back in the team.
Kinghorn was bombed out unexpectedly for the first two matches, and went back to play for Toulouse last weekend.
His pace and running threat from deep could be a huge asset, and that’s why he has been given the nod over Tom Jordan.
The selection is a very clear sign that Scotland expect to dominate this match. They want as much firepower as possible.
France showed the way when they went to Cardiff last weekend and ripped Wales apart with a scintillating display of attacking rugby. Scotland want to follow suit.
‘The roof’s going to be closed,’ said Townsend. ‘So it’s about how we can play to make sure our supporters are loud enough that we can hear them, rather than the Welsh supporters.
‘But it’s always one of the noisiest atmospheres, just because of the build-up to the game and also the indoor element.
‘So, yeah, we’ll expect a hostile crowd. We expect a very good Welsh performance. That’s a challenge we’re going to have to rise up to.’
Gregor Townsend has shown that he intends to attack Wales from the off with his selection of van der Merwe and Kinghorn
The Scots will have to beware a Welsh backlash, however, after they reduced Scotland’s runaway lead to a point in Cardiff two years ago
Steve Tandy’s Wales need to respond after being thrashed by England and France in their first two games of this season’s Six Nations
Wales are on a dreadful run of form. Now under the command of former Scotland defence coach Steve Tandy, they haven’t won a match in the Six Nations since 2023.
They have lost 13 successive matches in the championship – and 23 of their last 25 Test matches in all competitions.
Scotland, meanwhile, are looking to back up their stunning victory over England last weekend.
Of all their victories over England in the Six Nations era, only once have Scotland gone on to win their next game the following week.
‘The motivation is as high as it would be for any Test match,’ added Townsend. ‘This is the Six Nations. We have an opportunity to build on that victory and go into the break in a decent position. We’ll be playing against a very motivated team at a tough venue, so that’s enough background and motivation for our players to raise the performance once again.’