NEWPORT number eight Andrew Powell has been ruled out of any of the Welsh teams for the final Six Nations clash of the season against Scotland at the weekend.

Powell aggravated his hand injury playing against Cardiff last Friday and asked not to be considered for selection.

He was a member of the Wales Under-21 side which gained a narrow victory over England a fortnight ago.

His position at number eight goes to another Newport player, Rhys Jones, also based at UWIC, though he has also played for the under-21s this season. Lock Ryan Jones, also of Newport and UWIC, retains his place, as do regulars centre Hal Luscombe of Newport and flanker Rhys Williams of Ebbw Vale while Cardiff wing Liam Roberts, from Chepstow, keeps his place as well.

Newport outside-half Michael Hook, whose kicking won the game against England, is on the bench with Robinson available again.

Neil Stenhouse has been ruled out of the Scotland team with a recurrence of a knee injury. His place will be taken by Melrose's Jamie Blackwood.

Wales A make their annual trip north to Wrexham where they face Scotland A tomorrow night.

Newport's Matthew Watkins remains on the left wing as the one Gwent player in the side. Four changes see Gareth Thomas and Tom Shanklin at centre for promoted Mark Taylor and demoted Jon Bryant while Pontypridd prop Gethin Jenkins earns a step-up for Duncan Jones and Gareth Llewellyn returns at lock in place of Ebbw Vale's Neil Edwards.

Wales A: A Durston (Bridgend), G Wyatt (Pontypridd), G Thomas (Bridgend), T Shanklin (Saracens), M Watkins (Newport), L Jarvis, A Moore (Neath), G Jenkins, A Davies, captain, R Sidoli (Pontypridd), G Llewellyn (Neath), M Owen (Pontypridd), N Bonner-Evans, B Sinkinson (Neath). Replacements: G Williams (Bridgend), D Jones (Neath), V Cooper, D Jones (Llanelli), R Powell (Cardiff), C Warlow (Bridgend), J Bryant (Pontypridd). Kick off 7.05pm.

Wales under-21s: G Swales (Swansea), J Strong (London Welsh), H Luscombe (Newport), M Brayley (Swansea) captain, L Roberts, N Robinson (Cardiff), M Phillips (Llanelli), P James, A Matthews, A Jones (Neath), L Tait (Cardiff), R Jones (Newport and UWIC), R Williams (Ebbw Vale), R Jones (Newport and UWIC), G Williams (Llanelli). Replacements: M Miles (Northampton), P John, B Griffiths (Llanelli), R Sowden-Taylor, C Miller, R Jones (Cardiff), M Hook (Newport). Kick off 2.30pm.