WALES return to normality when they take on Scotland at Murrayfield today hoping to get their Six Nations campaign off to a winner at the third time of asking.

Their first two matches have been anything but normal, and both have met with defeat under entirely different circumstances.

Italy, as I suggested the day before the game, was an accident waiting to happen for a Welsh team which travelled with some trepidation and got turned over badly.

Reaction in Wales was so severe that it even rocked coach Steve Hansen, who said the public in rugby-mad New Zealand never treated their players like that.

Consequently, the England game was played in a kind of isolation, in circumstances so special that the Welsh players knew they would be lucky to escape with their lives if they played with the same apparent lack of pride again.

A captain was chosen who has always worn his heart on his sleeve. Jonathan Humphreys was dragged out of exile with Bath to resume his international career, however briefly, after a three-year absence. With so much at stake, the opposition being England and at the Millennium Stadium, it was always going to be special.

And Wales responded, if not with victory, then at least with some pride restored as they pushed the team ranked number one in the world all the way, leading for a spell and confining the opposition to two tries.

Now it is the real thing again in the sense that it's two teams starting just about equal in a more 'usual' everyday type of Six Nations clash.

The omens are not good because Murrayfield is hardly a happy hunting ground for Wales who have won there just once in the last 18 years.

It should have been two because on their last visit there two years ago Wales stormed into a seemingly unassailable 25-6 lead three minutes into the second half only to have to settle for a 28-28 draw as the Scots staged a remarkable comeback.

If they start with the same sort of fury that they ended up with two years ago Wales will be blown away.

And that is always possible at Murrayfield where the Scots, against Wales at least, always seem to have more than the permitted number of players on the pitch.

There is little pattern, more a frenzy about the Scots when the chips are down in front of their own fans.

Wales will, at the very least, have to weather the expected early storm, or even better seize the initiative from the outset themselves.

Control at the set pieces and accuracy at half back, not to mention a tight defence, will be the very least requirements.

They go in with their third captain in as many games, Martyn Williams now in the hot seat after Colin Charvis and Humphreys.

Williams is a tried and tested leader at club level, but how he performs at this level remains to be seen.

The spirit and hwyl which Humphreys brings to the party could well be missed, and so could his leadership qualities and his ability at hooker.

Gareth Williams is totally untried at this level, he's on the small side and will be under real pressure with the accuracy of his line-out throwing in.

The Scots have brought back Scott Murray after mysteriously discarding him and he will be a real threat with his line-out ability.

There also has to be a question mark about the Welsh back row where Gavin Thomas is not a recognised number eight, though Hansen has said Dafydd Jones might play there rather than blindside.

The Scots will miss Martin Leslie, but their pride of Lions Tom Smith, Murray and Simon Taylor are sure to pull something out of the fire.

And then there is the mercurial Gregor Townsend, who as Scott Hastings said this week, can go from zero to hero.

But by and large the Scottish backs do not appear to pose that much threat, and there is more potential in their Welsh counterparts.

Stephen Jones will steady the ship on his return, Gareth Cooper has got lots of promise and Wales possess a pacey back three in Kevin Morgan, Rhys Williams and Gareth Thomas.

A great deal will depend on psychology and who responds best to the pressure of the requirements of that first championship win.

The Scottish public expects, that's for sure, after two defeats, in much the same way as Wales did before the England game.

The losers will clearly be favourites for the wooden spoon with a hat-trick of defeats behind them, but if Wales settle early and well they can do it.

I still fear that Murrayfield hoodoo, however, and fear the Scots will come bouncing back with a vengeance and with victory.

PICTURE: Wales' new captain Martyn Williams with Steve Hansen