Scotland have picked a team designed to compete in every part of the pitch and defend tigerishly today, in the hope that Wales will implode under the pressure.

As ever in this part of the world, the merest suggestion of improvement in their rugby team's form has brought with it astonishing levels of anticipation and expectation. And, with nothing to lose, Steve Hansen, the out-going coach, seems to be fuelling the massive mood of optimism.

In the likes of Shane Williams, Iestyn Harris and Rhys Williams, they have weaponry Scotland's new coach can only envy. Yet, with Edinburgh as his example - their progress to the quarter-finals of the Heineken Cup was based on not conceding a try in three key matches - Matt Williams has chosen a back division designed to smother.

Scotland have the capacity to win ball, by disrupting at the lineout, where Scott Murray has so often been a thorn in the flesh of the Welsh, and competing on the deck, where turnover king Cammy Mather will be in his customary role at blindside flanker.

Williams emphasised the defensive qualities of Chris Cusiter and Andy Henderson to explain their inclusion, while Tom Philip offers a substantial presence in midfield. There is a feeling this Scottish side may be at least as comfortable without the ball as in possession of it.

Understandably, no-one ever rushes to admit such a thing, and Williams has been at pains to point out his own reputation is one of producing sides that run with the ball. He has, though, also taken personal charge of the defensive system.

Williams admitted it is very much a leap into the unknown. He said: ''When you make a number of changes on coaching and playing fronts, you don't have any form on the board and you don't have any evidence on which to base your assumptions apart from training fields, which are very different to playing fields.''

Yet he promised to try to play in a way Scots could identify with. ''I'm a great believer that the national team represents the character of the country, and Scots have always been great inventors with a warrior, soldier, fighter tradition, and I'd like to see that. We will represent the nation in a way the nation is proud of. We will play a brand of rugby they will like to see us play.''

That being so, most Scots would settle for resolute defiance and heartfelt passion, in the knowledge the pack and defence are good enough to challenge and even worry the Welsh, while hoping the back division has the capacity to finish them off.

Wales G Thomas; R Williams, S Parker,

I Harris, S Williams; S Jones, G Cooper; Duncan Jones, M Davies, A Jones, B Cockbain, G Llewellyn, C Charvis (capt),

M Williams, Dafydd Jones. Replacements: H Bennett, G Jenkins, M Owen, J Thomas, D Peel, C Sweeney, T Shanklin

Scotland B Hinshelwood; S Danielli, T Philip, B Laney, A Henderson; C Paterson (capt),

C Cusiter; T Smith, G Bulloch, B Douglas,

S Murray, S Grimes, C Mather, S Taylor,

A Hogg. Replacements: R Russell, G Kerr, J White, S Cross, M Blair, D Parks, S Webster

Referee Donal Courtney (Ireland)