Hansen keeps his distance in fight to save face

Steve Hansen, Wales' coach, was taking no chances yesterday. Suffering from a head cold, and fearful of passing the lurgy on to his players, the New Zealander abandoned a planned visit to Murrayfield, and quarantined himself at the team's city centre hotel.

Having this week named his third captain in three Six Nations matches, Hansen was probably wise not to risk another falling by the wayside.

It was left to Wales' goal-kickers to have a final prowl around their hosts' lair, with some relief that the ground had not been moved a little bit to the left, or repainted shocking pink. The build-up to today's meeting of potential wooden spoonists has been all of a stir.

Those who have not lost the plot – and despite all the changes, that should include Hansen and his Scotland counterpart, Ian McGeechan – will be aware that Cardiff's Martyn Williams became Wales' 118th captain after the stop-gap choice, Jon Humphreys, dropped out with a shoulder injury. Hansen said before Humphreys's side were beaten 26-9 by England a fortnight ago that Williams did not need the hassle of leadership. Well, he has it now, and the flanker from the Rhondda who has led his club side since the start of the season is unlikely to be found wanting.

Meanwhile, in the shadow of Arthur's Seat, it has been musical chairs at Scotland's round table. Scott Murray, a more or less permanent fixture in the second row since his debut in 1997, was dropped after two heavy, tryless defeats by Ireland and France. The call went out for more beef in the pack – and was promptly answered by Murray, recalled when the flanker Martin Leslie went lame on Monday. Jason White, of Glasgow, originally earmarked as Murray's replacement, will instead fill in for Leslie in the back row, Gregor Townsend reverts to fly-half for his 43rd start there in 73 caps, and James McLaren brings 17 stones of bristle to the centre after 11 months in exile.

"I've got to grab my chance," said Murray, though Wales are more used to him grabbing their line-out ball. According to analysis by Wales' backroom staff, Edinburgh's former Saracen has taken 19 of their throws in the last four meetings, with only three conceded in return. When the Scots won a drab game in Cardiff 27-22 last April, it was with two tries by the hooker Gordon Bulloch direct from Scottish line-outs.

It should be a testing first start in the Welsh front row today for Bridgend's hooker, Gareth Williams.

The visitors' other change is the return of Llanelli's Stephen Jones to fly-half, where he will face off against Townsend as they did last season. That was also the occasion of McLaren's last cap – he took himself off from Glasgow to Bordeaux in a fit of pique in the interim. "Once you get away from the set-piece you need ball-carriers right across the field," said McGeechan, adding to the 'get tough' theme. The ability or otherwise of the respective No 10s to spread calm amid all the muscle could decide what surely will be a tight match.

Wales only avoided bottom place in the 2002 Championship by beating Italy. They do not have the same luxury this time, and have all the political problems at home as a worrying backdrop. For both sides at a full Murrayfield – generating record gate receipts of £2.15m – a first win of 2003 would do their health a power of good.