Wales host Scotland in Cardiff friendly

This is only the second meeting between Wales and Scotland in almost two decades, but the friendly at Cardiff’s Millennium Stadium is regarded as a perfect opportunity for both nations to make preparations for the forthcoming World Cup qualification campaign.

Mark Hughes’ Wales side faces clashes with England and Northern Ireland on the way to Germany in two years’ time, and lined up Berti Vogts’ Scots as a warm-up act.

Vogts is also looking to glean vital information from the encounter as the Scots have been drawn in the same group as Italy, who were famously beaten in Cardiff last year.

Both sides have been hit by call-offs because of injury, with Wales the hardest hit with Celtic striker John Hartson a notable absentee.

Hughes is nonetheless able to name several Premiership stars, including Ryan Giggs and skipper Gary Speed.

The Scotland starting line-up sees defender Paul Ritchie given his first chance under Vogts, having last been capped four years ago.

Wales: Crossley, Edwards, Page, Melville, Gabbidon, Davies, Speed, Savage, Oster, Earnshaw, Giggs. Subs: Weston, Symons, Robinson, Fletcher, Taylor, Parry, Roberts, Ward.

Scotland: Douglas, McNamara, Naysmith, Dailly, Stephen Caldwell, Ritchie, Fletcher, Cameron, Kenny Miller, Dickov, Pearson. Subs: Gallacher, Gary Caldwell, Gallagher, Murty, Webster, McFadden, Teale.

Referee: Michael Ross (Northern Ireland)