Joe Schmidt believes draw favours the Welsh

In a tournament where momentum means everything, getting off to a good start in the Six Nations is crucial. So it is certainly a help if you have home advantage in your opening game. At least that is the theory being touted in Scotland as Gregor Townsend’s men prepare to face wooden-spoon candidates Italy on home soil in round one for the first time in the 20-year history of the Six Nations.

“The fixtures fall where they fall,” said Townsend. “To get a home game is a good start to the tournament because there’s no travel and you can do things in your own training venue and that leads you into a performance that should be better. So that’s the start we’re looking for.