The Changes Tandy Should Make Before Facing Scotland- Ben Carter Starts

In a time where positivity has been at its lowest, Tandy’s side has started the 2026 Six Nations on the back of two heavy defeats as a third consecutive wooden spoon beckons for his side.

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However, there’s no time for respite for Wales, as under the new schedule, it’s straight into yet another round of fixtures, with Gregor Townend’s Scotland heading to the Principality Stadium.

Despite back-to-back defeats, there has been some positive progress in Wales’ outings, but they are still miles off the pace in terms of competing for silverware in the competition.

As Wales’ players return to the Vale Resort, Hensol, today, they’ll quickly find out who’ll be starting against the newly crowned Calcutta Cup winners, as Tandy must make changes.

One of those changes should be in the second row. Following probably his worst outing in a Wales shirt, Adam Beard did not have the most positive of outings on Sunday afternoon.

His attempted clearance kick following Wales, positively building momentum in the contest, proved costly for his side. In place for the Top 14 player should be Dragons RFC Ben Carter, who, so far, has been incredibly beneficial off the bench for Wales in the championship.

Against France, one of the first notable carries the 25-year-old made was getting his side over the gain line, and he was a great asset in defence.

It’s a change that will undoubtedly leave Tandy pondering through the week, but if he’s trying to do something different against Scotland, then Carter will be hugely effective and should start.

Elsewhere, Dan Edwards has not been hitting the heights of the autumn internationals and almost like Blair Murray did in November, the 22-year-old is being brutally exposed in the championship.

It’s been a tough few weeks for the Ospreys player. It would not come as a shock to see perhaps either Sam Costelow or Jarrod Evans line up against Scotland, as it’s probably best for Edwards to take a step back.

It may be seen as a backwards step, but Tandy needs to change something. But for Edwards, he may be a valuable option for Wales off the bench.

In the back-three, Louis Rees-Zammit’s flair lit up Wales' backline, and he's surely the first name on the team sheet. It was his best international outing since returning to rugby against ‘Les Bleus’.

On the wings, Ellis Mee, who competed well against Louis Bielle-Biarrey, should start as he’s been one of Wales’ top performers so far in the championship.

Big ball carrier Mason Grady should now get the opportunity on the other wing, as Josh Adams’ time on the outside feels like it’s nearing the end as an international. He’s been great for Welsh rugby, but continuing with the theme of trying something new, his club team-mate Grady should start.

Eddie James, who had his best international performance yet against France, will remain in the centres and should be joined by the experience of Owen Watkin on his outside.

Watkin will be perfectly suited in the side that, at the current moment are struggling massively with their defence, and his strength here will be very much-needed.

Tomos Williams will continue to wear the nine jersey, but he will need to improve his kicking accuracy quickly.

For his scrummaging alone, Nicky Smith needs to be one of the first names on the team sheet as well, with Scotland not being the strongest in that area. Dewi Lake will remain as Wales’ captain, as both Tomos Francis and Dafydd Jenkins will make up the front-five.

In the back row, Olly Cracknell and Aaron Wainwright should both remain in the starting XV, following them showing great strength in attack and defence. Whilst it’s a toss of a coin between both Alex Mann and Josh Macleod for the starting seven shirt.

Ruck’s Wales XV to play Scotland: 15. Rees-Zammit, 14. Mee, 13. Watkin, 12. James, 11. Grady, 10. Costelow, 9. Williams; 1. Smith, 2. Lake (C), 3. Francis, 4. Jenkins, 5. Carter, 6. Wainwright, 7. Mann, 8. Cracknell