Six Nations: Gregor Townsend explains why he wants roof open for Scotland’s game in Cardiff

Coach admits he made mistake for Wales game in 2018

Wingers Sean Maitland, left, and Ratu Tagive wearing gloves at Edinburgh Airport as Scotland checked in for their flight to Cardiff amid concerns over the coronavirus outbreak. Picture: Gary Hutchison/SNS

As he departed Scotland’s Edinburgh training base for the flight to Cardiff, head coach Gregor Townsend was fully expecting a match with Wales to take place – with roof open at the Principality Stadium.

As the coronavirus crisis swirled like the icy cold wind at Riccarton in the west of the Scottish capital, Townsend was as calm as ever and predicting a fine day tomorrow.

“Open. Because it’s going to be a nice day,” said Townsend on the stadium roof issue.

The Six Nations rules mean both sides have to agree to the roof being closed at the iconic Principality Stadium and Wales, under Warren Gatland who has since been succeeded by Wayne Pivac, always look for that option to provide a uniquely stifling atmosphere for the opposition.

Back in 2018 Scotland opened their Six Nations campaign viewed as the coming team under Townsend but lost 34-7 in the Cardiff cauldron.

“A couple of years ago I made an error on getting the roof closed because you don’t necessarily get better conditions with the roof closed. The ball is slippy because of dew and condensation. I watched the forecast closely and it ended up being a dry day,” explained Townsend.

“It looks like it will be dry again so it should be a dry ball. The conditions are better with the roof open on a dry day than closed. Either way it is a great 
stadium and a brilliant 
atmosphere.”

Townsend scored the winning try at the old Cardiff Arms Park 24 years ago the last time Scotland managed to string three consecutive wins together in the championship.

After this season’s victories over Italy and France, the former stand-off is also looking to break Scotland’s hoodoo in the Welsh capital, their last win coming in 2002.

Townsend added: “I don’t know if we play particularly badly against Wales – we’ve not got a good record against them but we’ve got a similar record away from home to England, France and Ireland. One reason we haven’t done well is that they’re a very good team. Like Ireland, like England they’ve won Grand Slams, won championships so 
they’ve played at a very consistent level.”

Townsend has made three changes to the starting side that thrilled the nation at 
Murrayfield last weekend with a 28-17 humbling of France, which ended the visitors’ Grand Slam hopes .

Stuart McInally is back at hooker, with Fraser Brown on the bench. The latter celebrated the birth of his first child on Wednesday with the arrival of healthy baby Theodore.

Magnus Bradbury returns at No 8 as Nick Haining recovers from illness while Sam Skinner replaces Scott Cummings at lock.

“Stuart has been great and he’s bringing others into the game too,” said Townsend of the Edinburgh hooker who captained the country at the World Cup in Japan but has since relinquished that duty to full-back Stuart Hogg.”

Hogg had a couple of dicey moments in the first two narrow losses to Ireland and England but has been on fine form, showcased by a dazzling try in Rome a couple of weeks ago.

“He’s had a couple of changes this year,” said Townsend of his skipper. “He’s moved to a new club [Exeter Chiefs] and playing more rugby than he’s ever played and he’s captain of his national team. Whether it’s one or all of these, it’s certainly spurred him on to play even better.”

As for the selection of another Exeter Chief, Skinner, a player who has recovered from injury and Townsend clearly rates highly, the coach said: “We have a really good situation at lock; five have started for us in the championship and we felt we got a really good response from Grant [Gilchrist] at the weekend.

“We know how well Sam [Skinner] has played for us when he’s been fully fit. Scott [Cummings] has been excellent and we think off the bench he can make a really big impact. This weekend, though, we’re giving Sam and Grant the start.”

Subscribe to The Scotsman for unrivalled Six Nations coverage

The Scotsman is the best place to read the most insightful Six Nations reporting and analysis from our award-winning team of writers. And the only way to read more than 5 Scotsman articles per week is to sign up for a digital subscription, starting at just £1 per month for the first 3 months. Visit www.scotsman.com/subscriptions to find out more.