Two teams that began the opening weekend full of optimism, approach the second on very different trajectories.
'Grand Slam' is the phrase on Welsh lips following victory in Ireland. Wooden Spoon is the fear in Scottish hearts after defeat by England.
Wales sampled the sublime in Dublin - George North's surge and offload to Jonathan Davies encapsulating the youthful promise coursing through Warren Gatland's side.
Scotland were left choking on the ridiculous, as Dan Parks' charged-down kick handed England victory. The fall-out continued long after the final whistle with Parks' retirement.
They arrive in Cardiff on the back of three defeats and with no try in four games. Their impotence in the opposition 22 has become an all-consuming obsession.
Andy Robinson will hope Parks' replacement, Greig Laidlaw, can somehow unlock the doors that close in Scottish minds as soon as the try-line rears into view. He will also be praying Warren Gatland's assessment that Wales only played at 70% of their capacity against Ireland was a miscalculation.
Robinson has asked for the stadium roof to be closed to prevent rainy conditions scuppering his team's attempts to play a passing game.
But they will be stretched to the limit by a Wales side Gatland insisted only played at 70% of their capacity against Ireland.
It was a game Wales came within a whisker of losing. That they didn't - despite playing much of the final quarter with only 14 men - underlined the fact that they are serious contenders for this year's title.
By contrast Scotland are looking to sidestep the ignominy of another battle to avoid finishing bottom. Robinson has branded their Six Nations record 'unacceptable.' In recent years they have struggled both against the Welsh and away from home. A victory for them would be a significant upset.
TEAM LINE-UPS
Wales : 15-Leigh Halfpenny, 14-Alex Cuthbert, 13-Jonathan Davies, 12-Jamie Roberts, 11-George North, 10-Rhys Priestland, 9-Mike Phillips; 1-Gethin Jenkins, 2-Huw Bennett, 3-Adam Jones, 4-Ryan Jones, 5-Ian Evans, 6-Dan Lydiate, 7-Sam Warburton, 8-Toby Faletau.
Replacements: 16-Ken Owens, 17-Paul James, 18-Lou Reed, 19-Andy Powell, 20-Lloyd Williams, 21-James Hook, 22-Scott Williams.
Scotland : 15-Rory Lamont, 14-Lee Jones, 13-Nick De Luca, 12-Sean Lamont, 11-Max Evans, 10-Greig Laidlaw, 9-Chris Cusiter; 1-Allan Jacobsen, 2-Ross Ford, 3-Geoff Cross, 4-Richie Gray, 5-Jim Hamilton, 6-Alasdair Strokosch, 7-Ross Rennie, 8-David Denton.
Replacements: 16-Scott Lawson, 17-Ed Kalman, 18-Alastair Kellock, 19-John Barclay, 20-Mike Blair, 21-Duncan Weir, 22-Stuart Hogg.
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee : Romaine Poite (France)
Touch judges : Peter Fitzgibbon, Simon McDowelll (Ireland)
TV : Giulio de Santis (Italy)
WEATHER FORECAST
Cardiff will be predominately cloudy and dry during Sunday afternoon. However, it won't be as cold compared to recent days/week with a the temperature getting up to a balmy 5 degrees.
