Troubled champions Wales seek Six Nations revival against Scotland

Wales may be the reigning Six Nations champions but it is easy to forget that fact as they prepare for Saturday's second-round match against Scotland in Cardiff.

The Welsh were physically overwhelmed when starting their title defence with a thumping 29-7 loss away to Ireland last weekend - something that could not be explained alone by the ongoing absence of several injured senior players, including captain Alun Wyn Jones.

Wales coach Wayne Pivac has made four alterations to his side, including giving a debut to Ospreys flanker Jac Morgan.

Pivac, explaining a lack of "wholesale changes", said: "We know a lot of the players who were by their own admission below their own standards, deserve another opportunity. I certainly believe there will be more to come from this team."

Wales' Under-20s were thrashed 53-5 by their Irish counterparts last week - a result that followed the failure of any Welsh club to qualify for the last 16 of Europe's elite Champions Cup.

But structural issues and arguments over the terms of a £20 million ($27 million) loan negotiated by the Welsh Rugby Union to help the four professional regions cope with the economic impact of the coronavirus, have nothing to do with Pivac's tactics in Dublin.

The former Scarlets boss deployed Josh Adams at outside centre, only for the wing to be exposed repeatedly when defending in his new role.

Adams' leg injury, however, means Owen Watkin will line-up in the No 13 shirt on Saturday, with flyhalf Dan Biggar retaining the captaincy.

Pivac has won 10 Tests out of 23 since succeeding Warren Gatland, a fellow New Zealander, as Wales coach following the 2019 World Cup.

His supporters point to last season's Six Nations title as proof of success, but Pivac's critics note that