The Six Nations returns this weekend for the penultimate round of fixtures in 2025 and Scotland are looking to bounce back from back-to-back defeats to England and Ireland when they take on Wales in Edinburgh.
Gregor Townsend’s side are in need of a big result to try and salvage something from this year’s competition. They will face a Welsh side who restored pride with a positive showing against Ireland in Cardiff last time out.
Despite losing at Twickenham there were a number of individually excellent performances from the Scots so picking his best available starting XV could be quite straightforward although there are still some questions the head coach will need to answer. Here it the Edinburgh Evening News’ predicted Scotland starting XV to face Wales at Murrayfield in round four of the 2025 Six Nations Championship:
5. Grant Gilchrist
Scotland's line out has been on point this tournament and Gilchrist is third overall in the competition for successful takes | Getty Images
6. Jamie Ritchie
One of Scotland's best performers in the defeat to England with a display that has surely maintained his place in the starting XV | Getty Images
7. Rory Darge
Has a big point to prove this weekend after back-to-back defeats for Scotland in their last two outings. The co-captain is a contender for the Lions tour this summer in the most competitive position so needs to end the Six Nations on a high | Getty Images
8. Jack Dempsey
With Jamie Ritchie holding down the 6 jersey then Matt Fagerson may find himself moving to 8 but it's more likely he'll drop to the bench with Dempsey, Scotland's biggest ball carrying threat in the forwards, holding on to that jersey | AFP via Getty Images