WALES V SCOTLAND (Sunday KO 3pm)

FORWARDS coach Robin McBryde believes the Welsh lineout is in safe hands with lock Ian Evans calling the shots.

Ireland pilfered four of hooker Huw Bennett’s 14 throws at the Aviva Stadium last weekend, with the last of those steals allowing Ireland to stretch their lead in the closing stages.

Injuries to first choice locks Luke Charteris and Alun Wyn Jones saw Evans earn a first Six Nations start since 2008 Not only that but the absence of anyone who calls lineouts for their region saw the responsibility given to the Ospreys second row.

“I thought Ian showed plenty of character,” said McBryde. “Calling lineouts isn’t something he does on a regular basis at regional level but he’s really stepped up, taken ownership and grown into the role.

“He used to call before, so I’m not saying it’s a completely new experience, but to go into that sort of cauldron and know you are going to come under that sort of pressure, with the good defensive line out Ireland have got, took some doing.

“It will be no different on Sunday, either, because Scotland have one of the most important defensive line-outs in world rugby, so it’ll be up to the boys to perform.

“Ian said after the game last week that the marker had been set and we needed to push on now.”

Evans will have a new partner in the second row after Bradley Davies was given a tournament-ending seven-week ban for his dangerous tipping of Ireland’s Donncha Ryan.

Warren Gatland will announce his team to face the Scots this afternoon with former captain and back-row regular Ryan Jones widely expected to take Davies’ number four shirt.

Jones, who starred at blindside flanker against Ireland, has played lock for the Ospreys this season while McBryde also stressed that there are other options.

“Ryan Jones has been on top of his game as a second-row and back-row for the Ospreys, and we are really happy with the way he is playing at the moment,” he said.

“We have that option, even if it would not give him as much freedom to run around the field carrying the ball as he did so well on Sunday.

“And we have Lou Reed, an up-and-coming second-row who was with us at our training camp in Poland and has plenty to offer. He does not look out of place and he is fitting in well, taking a lot on board.

“We know we can turn to him, and we also have Aaron Shingler, who covers the back five for the Scarlets. We are not looking to add someone to the squad at this stage.

“We are keeping a close eye on Alun Wyn Jones, whose rehab at Ospreys is going very well. He might have a bit of involvement at the weekend for the Ospreys.”