Wales captain Ryan Jones has been ruled out with an injury. Read all about that here.

However, if it's team news you're after, then you'll probably want to read this next bit.

Scotland: Southwell, Webster, Cairns, Morrison, Lamont, Godman, Blair, Jacobsen, Ford, Cross, White, J. Hamilton, Hogg, Taylor,
Barclay
Replacements: Hall, Dickinson, Brown, Gray, Cusiter, Paterson, M. Evans

Wales: Byrne, Halfpenny, Roberts, Shanklin, S Williams,
S Jones, Phillips, Jenkins, Rees, A Jones, Gough, D Jones, R Jones, M Williams, Powell
Replacements: Bennett, Yapp, Charteris, Peel, Hook, Bishop, Davies

Referee: A Rolland (Ireland)

So that's four players called Jones and two called Williams. This isn't going to get confusing at all then, is it?

Warren Gatland says Jones (R) failed a fitness test this morning. "It's a little bit of a disruption," he says. "How much of a disruption?" asks BBC woman. "Oh, it's not a disruption," he replies. Eh?

On the other hand, he does reckon the squad has grown, matured and got more honest. All good if you're a teenager, is it good if you're a rugby player? Who knows?

An email: "My question: what the hell is Henson's mug doing on this page? He's the Six Nations' most unwarranted hyped up monkey; hyped up more than the whole English squad. Leave him in the wilderness," splutters Diarmuid who, it says here, is in Paris. "Prediction: shock win for the Scots!"

On another note: how disappointing is the BBC's decision to use Ocean Colour Scene as their intro music for the Six Nations' coverage. Ocean Colour Scene! Ocean bloody Colour Scene??!!? A band whose wholly undeserved success relied exclusively upon the patronage of a ginger-haired TV presenter. The same goes for Texas, too, obviously.

The teams are trotting out onto the pitch between a corridor of flaming columns of fire. Blimey.

Princess Margaret is eyeing up the columns of flame a little nervously. Ah ... they've turned them off as she runs out onto the pitch. She's going to enjoy being introduced to the teams: "Here's Jones, Jones, Jones, Williams, Jones, Williams etc".

It's pretty cold in Scotland, so they say on the telly. There are a lot of Welshmen clutching beers and waving cheerily though, so they don't seem to mind. The Scottish team are now getting to meet the Princess Royal. They look delighted, obviously.

Blimey, now they're doing anthems. Can they not just get on with this?

One Welshman has his eyes scrunched shut, his bald head and forehead rumpled in emotion and is giving it literally all he's worth. His mate next to him, on the other hand, has just spotted the TV camera and is mugging for it heroically, thus rendering his compatriot's passion a little hilarious.

The Scots are going to get murdered here. Just saying.

Still, at least they're having a nice sing before the masascre begins.

Hurrah: We're off. Scotland kick off longish to the Welsh 22 and the Wales fy-half can't kick for touch as the ball was carried back over the 22 line. He hoofs it up the pitch anyway and gets it run back at him. Scrum.

3 min: The Scottish scrum have lost three and half stone, which is careless of them. Perhaps that's why this one collapses twice before they finally win the ball. A quick ruck sends the ball back to Godman, he chips, the ball is kicked back to Southwell. He sends up and up-and-under and Scotland win a series of rucks as they progress up the pitch. A knock-on denies them the put-in at the scrum though.

5 min: Wales win their scrum but Jones (S) fails to find touch. Southwell claims the ball and runs it at the Welsh. But Wales win it back and run it too, via another series of rucks. Gough, though, knocks on and Scotland win the scrum. Good run from Shanklin just now, by the way. Who cares about Henson?

6 min: Phillips feeds Powell on the charge as Wales break into the Scottish half for the first time. The ball is spread across the backs before Byrne gets taken out. He gets a bang, has a little stagger, as if drunk, then wanders back to his position.

8 min: Blair kicks from the back of the scrum, from well within the Scottish 22. It then gets hoisted up to Byrne, who runs through most of the Scottish side and straight back to their 22. There's a bit of ugly biffing in the ruck before Wales get the ball out once again. Shanklin then decides to charge through the middle despite having an overlap outside, before Scotland win an eventual penalty.

9 min: It's all been defence for Scotland so far, really. It only looks like a matter of time before the Welsh backs find a way through their lines ... and it nearly came there. A poor pass from Godman didn't go to hand and Roberts fly-kicked it on. Unfortunately for the Welsh the ball goes into touch.

10 min: Roberts breaks through this time but gets tackled. From the ruck, Wales go blind (not literally). It goes back out open, before Webster puts in a massive tackle on Martyn Williams. It's bad news for the Scottish winger, though, he's knocked himself out in the process. Williams wanders off as if nothing has happened at all. Chris Paterson is warming up.

11 min: Blimey, they make them tough in Scotland. Webster is back on his feet, despite appearing to be comatose just moments ago, and has refused to go off. Scottish scrum in the middle in their own 22.

12 min: Wales have turned the scrum over and won a penalty to boot after Taylor got caught by opposition No8 Mike Phillips. He refuses to let go of the ball on the ground and this is very kickable.

PENALTY! Scotland 0-3 Wales (S Jones, 12 min): There, what did I tell you?

15 min: There's much biff and boff from the kick-off but, a minute later, the ball is still knocking about the half way line. A poor bit of play from Jenkins gives Scotland the ball who break the Welsh line twice via Cross. Then, stupidly, they kick over the top and in to space but get too much on it - 22 for Scotland.

16 min: Southwell goes through the Welsh line from the restart and Scotland have broken into the Wales 22. He goes down and, from the ruck, Scotland go blind to Cairns and he's bundled into touch. Shanklin has gone off for a bit and then Scotland win the lineout against the head.

17 min: Ah ... then they lose the ball again and Scotland can clear. A forward pass then gives Wales possession.

19 min: Wales run it from their 22, via Shanklin. He runs out of puff and kicks, so Scotland get the ball on the halfway line. Webster Wales hits the line, then offloads. The Scottish backline is full of forwards looking to run the crash ball. So it's a bit disappointing when Southwell tries to miss three people with his pass and it goes straight into touch.

20 min: Wales win the lineout and Roberts goes through the middle. Jones (not sure which one, probably S) chips the ball up. Southwell claims and hoists it up high in return. Byrne is under it and takes a spectacular catch but Cross decides to hit him hard while he's in the air. It backfires, though, as the Scottish player hits the deck hard. He looks like he might be out for the count.

21 min: That was a very poor challenge. He took a look at the onrushing Byrne then just put the shoulder in. He's seems to be okay - but he's going to get a yellow card and a 10 minute rest. Meanwhile, Simon Webster, who got nailed earlier has just thrown up all over the pitch.

There's a very lengthy delay here. Cross is still down, being attended to by medics with a stretcher. He basically got Byrne's knee in his gob - and it was entirely his own fault. Webster has now come off, to be replaced by Paterson, while Cross is now on the little golf cart being wheeled off. Dickinson will replace him in 10 minutes when Cross' sin bin has been served.

TRY! Scotland 0-8 Wales (Shanklin, 21min): A flowing move across the backs from Wales from the right touchline to the left. It was made by a beautiful dummy run in the centre allowing Byrne to take it nearly to the line. He offloaded to Shanklin who found it pretty easy to touch down. Jones, meanwhile, buggers the conversion.

23 min: Byrne clears back up the pitch from the kick off. You can't see this going very well for Scotland from here. According to the experts on the telly, the home side are trying to play too much rugby. Erm ... I'm no expert, but is that not the point?

25 min: Hogg peels off the back of the lineout and runs straight into a wall of red. He gives away a penalty and Wales can clear from their 22 with ease.

26 min: Wales spread it wide, finding space all over the pitch with their extra man. Shanklin goes narrow and feeds Halfpenny. The ball is bundled into touch and Wales take a quick lineout. Foolishly, they neglect to throw it the full five yards. There's a scrum, which is awkward, as they don't have a full front row. So White has to go off to be replaced by Dickinson. He looks dead chuffed about that.

27 min: Wales win the scrum against the head, so Scotland collapse it. Jones (S) kicks for touch rather than go for the penalty. They win their ball on the 22.

29 min: Wales probe menacingly until Shanklin tries to flick the ball on while being tackled ... but drops it. He looks suitably apologetic.

TRY! Scotland 0-13 Wales (AW Jones, 28min): Wales win a massive scrum, 10 metres out, against the head. Jones (S) breaks, then Phillips flicks it out to Jones (AW) who does a neat pirouette and touches down.

31 min: Wales miss another conversion - a poor kick. It's becoming laughably clear how much Scotland are missing their full complement in the pack. The sin bin is over, so White now comes back on, which can only be a very good thing for Scotland.

PENALTY! Scotland 3-13 Wales (Paterson, 32 min): Scotland earn a penalty for reasons, I'm embarrassed to admit, that I missed. Paterson lines it up from 33m and sends it between the posts.

34 min: Wales roll the ball into the Scotland half after the restart. Byrne, though, aims a kick for the corner but overcooks and hoofs it straight into touch.

35 min: "Is Scotland's problem that they are trying to beat the Welsh at their own game?" asks Tim Brufeld. "They seem to want to play an attractive game but don't really have the chops for it. Perhaps they should resort to some more huff and puff". Well, a good kick has earned them a lineout in the corner, near the Welsh tryline. They win it and try, impotently, to make inroads towards the line.

38 min: Scottish scrum and they fling it out to the backs. The Welsh defence is fairly formidable, though, and a series of runs ends in a series of big tackles. Eventually it falls to Godman - there's no-one outside though, and he goes down. From the ruck Barclay tries to power over but gets chopped down by Powell just short. Scotland eventually win a five metre scrum. Good stuff from the home side.

39 min: Unbelievable! Wales win it against the head again! It's hoofed clear to Southwell who concedes a penalty for not releasing when tackled. That was pure power from the Welsh forwards.

40 min: Rather than wait for half time, Scotland give away a penalty for handling in the ruck. Jones (S) lines up the kick. I wouldn't be too optimistic, if I were you, Wales fans.

PENALTY! Scotland 3-16 Wales (Jones (S) 40 min): That'll learn me. He puts it sweetly over the bar. And that's half time.

OCEAN COLOUR SCENE! Come on! The Italians, I'm reliably informed, use Seven Nation Army by the White Stripes. Not perfect but that's got to be better. Actually, I'm trying to think what might make a good rugby theme songs. Perhaps something solid, chunky, muscular and physical - perhaps some stolid riff-rock from a second league rock act. Maybe something from Dio, Ratt or Scorpions. Or Rainbow. What do you reckon?

We're away again: Jones (S) kicks off into the Scottish 22, an event all the Scotland players stand back and admire before realising they were supposed to catch the damn thing.

TRY! Scotland 3-21 Wales (Halfpenny, 40 min): Brilliant run by Roberts carved open the Scottish defence. The ball is worked wide and then Shanklin somehow flicks it sideways to Halfpenny who crashes over the line in the corner. It gets referred but there's no reason for it really. The conversion, inevitably, is missed.

43 min: The Welsh backs are just rampant now. Again they spin it wide and just bludgeon the Scottish defence. It's one-touch passing, nearly. Rapier-like they get into the Scottish 22 again and a brilliant pass nearly allows Jones (AW) to get over the line. He's tackled though and knocks on for a Scottish scrum five metres out.

45 min: Scotland manage to put a break together. They run it up the right hand touchline but Southwell gets tap tackled by Jones (S) and knocks on. The ever reliable Gary Naylor has this to say: "The Tri-Nations seems to be a relatively balanced competition, but is it time to shake up the Six Nations? Why not introduce a second tier competiton with six other teams (say Argentina, Samoa, Japan, Canada, USA and Romania) with one club relegated and another promoted each year?"

47 min: Something confusing involving new rules, lineouts and throwing the ball in happens. If I was even half good at this, I'd explain it to you but ... well, if you've read the rest of this, you'll know at which standard I operate. Let's just say, Scotland have a chance of something, muck it up and Wales win the scrum.

49 min: A high up-and-under allows Scotland to set up camp on the Welsh 22. But they knock it forward in the face of a constant wall of Welsh. The Scots look like they're running out of ideas.

PENALTY Scotland 6-21 Wales (Paterson, 50): Wales clear, but Taylor sluggishly runs it back at the Welsh backs. Powell concedes a penalty in the ruck. It's right in front of the posts on the 22.

52 min: Just to add to all the confusion with all these Joneses and Williamses on the pitch, Evans has now come on. For Scotland. He'll replace Cairns.

53 min: Scottish rucks up the middle of the pitch wear them out a bit but don't progress them very far. "Gary Naylor has a point about a new league but as Argentina is already to go Tri-Nation and we should want to bring on northern hemisphere rugby, why not an eight nation contest in two leagues of four - home and away games in each season - one up one down. We have six already and could add the winner of the Six Nations B and another," reckons Richard Jones. Another Jones! Arrrghhhh.

55 min: Just when Wales were beginning to get things going again, they give away a penalty. It's as though they think they're already got this won and have stopped playing. This could be where Scotland get back in.

56 min: Gray comes on for Barclay for the Scots. The Scottish have a lineout but mess it up, so Wales run it back at them. There's a ruck and Gray's first contribution to the game is to handle the ball on the ground. Penalty to Wales which they'll hoof for touch.

There's a bit of an injury here, to Ford potentially but I can't really tell. I can't even tell you why he's injured. This is good this, isn't it?

57 min: We're off again and I'm still none the wiser. Brilliant stuff from Wales, who win a lineout then slide through the Scotland backs like a knife through butter. Henson might not get his place back, so well are the Welsh backline gelling here.

TRY! Scotland 6-26 Wales (Williams (S) 58 min): Wales keep getting within inches of the Scottish line. They go left, right, left, then right again. Eventually Shane Williams takes the bull by the horn and bursts over from a yard or so out.

59 min: No need to tell you what happens with the conversion.

61 min: Peel replaces Powell for Wales. Jason White gets away with fumbling and knocking on the ball but, no matter, Wales smuggle the ball back anyway. A huge kick from Jones (S) in his own 22 lands in the Scottish 22. Paterson looks a little terrified as he sees the entire of the opposition team bearing down on him. So he gives away a penalty.

62 min: Yapp, Bennett, Charteris and Bishop are coming on for Wales. Who's coming off? I'll tell you in a minute. Halfpenny lines up the penalty kick, having taken over kicking duties from the dismal Jones. He misses too.

63 min: Hall and Cusiter are on for Scotland for Ford and Blair. I think Rees, Jones (S), Roberts and someone else have come off for Wales. I'm going with a Jones.

Hook's on? When did he come on? This is turning into a farce. I apologise. Those subs in full then: Bishop - Roberts, Yapp - Jenkins, Bennett - Rees , Charteris - Gough, Hook - Jones (S).

67 min: Meanwhile, on the actual pitch, Scotland get a penalty which they run to the halfway line. However, some passing as shambolic as this commentary forces them into a kick. Shane Williams runs it back, then kicks, which Scotland allow to bounce about before claiming.

68 min: Williams is yellow carded. Just as Scotland were getting their mojo together and running it up the right, Williams gets sin binned for apparently deliberately slapping the ball forward when it is passed. Bit harsh that. Could easily have been accidental.

TRY! Scotland 11-26 Wales (Evans, 68 min): White feeds Evans on the 22 and he breaks Williams' (S) tackle then leaves two further Welshmen on their 'arrises and stretches to place the ball over the line.

"Saxon have got to be in with a shout to be the new rugby theme music men," spandexes Ian Sears. "British, ridiculous, pompous and loud - it's got rugby written all over it."

CONVERSION! Scotland 13-26 Wales (Paterson, 70 min): No mistake there. Evans is apparently also throwing up. Funny way to celebrate a try. Meanwhile Davies is on for Shane Williams.

72 min: Long pass from Evans out wide to Paterson but it's a bit of a hospital ball. As it's in the air, the Wales backs rub their hands, set their sights, then flatten him. The ball swings back across the other side of the pitch and Jacobsen gives away a penalty for holding on in the ruck. Hook shanks the ball into touch about two feet further up the pitch. Brown is on for Hogg for Scotland.

74 min: Scotland are playing well here. They win the lineout then drive up the pitch after turning over the ball in a ruck. An up-and-under lands on Shanklin, he puts his boot through the ball and out into touch.

75 min: Another good lineout from Scotland and Cusiter bursts through the Welsh line. He's tackled, then a knock-on deprives Scotland of the ball. Williams (M) is coming back on after his sin-binning. That'll probably end any hopes Scotland have of getting another try.

76 min: Scotland do earn a free-kick from the scrum, which they have to retake. They run it and, deep inside the Welsh 22, they repeatedly batter against the Welsh backline. Max Evans, crazy legs a-whirring, is the main attacking threat. But the Welsh are remaining defiant and drive the Scots back.

77 min: Scotland still have possession and they're still running it at the Welsh. They fight their way back into the 22 and Paterson chips over the defence and touches down - but did he put enough pressure on the ball?

78 min: No, he didn't. Knock-on. Scrum down Wales, five metres out.

79 min: That was an odd thing to do. Five metres out, Powell picked up at the back of the scrum, rather than let his scrum-half kick clear. He gives away a penalty, which is taken quickly - too quickly - and plonked over the line. The Scots have to retake and spread it left, where Wales bundle it into touch.

Peep, peep: With the clock past the 80 minute mark, Wales have a last desperate lunge for the line but can't break through. A knock-on from Evans ends the game and we can put this to bed and I'll have only my raging hangover for company for the rest of the day. Brilliant.

That's it, I'm off. Wales were very good for most of this, well within their comfort zone. However, they took their feet off the gas in the middle of the second half, allowing Scotland a chance to get back into it. The Scottish substitutes gave the game an air of excitment for a bit - especially Evans, who really should have been on the pitch from the start - but, to be honest, there was only ever one team in this.

For more minute-by-minute action, why not join Scott Murray as he chronicles all the excitment from West Ham v Manchester United here.