France to edge injury-plagued Scotland

Two teams who are in a state of uncertainty will open Round Three of the Six Nations as France and Scotland go head-to-head in Paris.

Quite frankly, Jacques Brunel’s men have been a shambles for 120 minutes of this year’s tournament, with the first half against Wales their only decent display, but the XV chosen by the head coach does offer some hope.

While the selection of Mathieu Bastareaud, who hasn’t even played well for Toulon this year, continues to mystify, there are few signs of the muddled team that played in the second game of the competition.

Yoann Huget returns to the wing to feature alongside Damian Penaud and an actual full-back in Thomas Ramos, while the in-form (for Stade Francais at least) Gael Fickou will offer more threat than Geoffrey Doumayrou.

Brunel has taken a certain risk by playing Romain Ntamack at fly-half, with the teenager not a regular for Toulouse in that position but, with club-mate Antoine Dupont at half-back, that will benefit the talented playmaker.

Dupont’s inclusion is an exciting one for French supporters having impressed off the bench against England, but he will have to deal with the wily Greig Laidlaw.

Scotland’s away record over recent times has been abysmal while their results in Paris are even worse and, although hopes are slightly higher this time around, that has been tempered by the spate of injuries they have endured.

It is not just the number but the calibre of the individuals who are absent, with Stuart Hogg, Huw Jones and Finn Russell all going down. It is a credit to Scottish rugby, and the depth they have built, that their replacements – Blair Kinghorn, Nick Grigg and Peter Horne – are more than capable of playing at this level, but it is more the disruption caused that may be the issue.

It therefore leaves their supporters with a rather odd feeling; hopeful that their barren run in Paris may well end while fearful of what seems a much coherent French selection.

Ultimately, it is all on the shoulders of the hosts and how they perform. Should they once again disappoint then Townsend’s charges have the capabilities of taking advantage, but there is no doubt this Les Bleus outfit is more talented than their counterparts.

The pack is athletic and powerful, and the backs could ignite if they get it right, but that is not a guarantee and Scotland will hope France fail to click and lack direction. If they do then it will be a great day for the visitors.

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Players to watch:

For France: After the disastrous Yoann Huget full-back experiment, Jacques Brunel has unsurprisingly decided to shift the Toulouse man back to the wing and bring in his club team-mate Thomas Ramos. The 23-year-old has enjoyed an excellent couple of years in the Top 14 and also had a decent cameo when coming onto the field against England. He is slightly built but is quick and has good footwork. Ramos also has an excellent kicking game and, with Morgan Parra and Camille Lopez both dropped, looks likely to take over duties from the tee.

For Scotland: Gregor Townsend may well be missing his spark from the back in Stuart Hogg but Blair Kinghorn is an excellent replacement. The rangy Edinburgh player was very good when he came on for the injured Hogg against Ireland, but there’s now even more pressure on the full-back following Finn Russell’s withdrawal. Kinghorn is still inexperienced at this level but has already shown his capabilities and the Scots will look for him to pounce on any loose kicks ready to counter-attack.

Head-to-head: A couple of makeshift fly-halves go head-to-head when Romain Ntamack comes up against Peter Horne. While the Frenchman is a potential long-term option at pivot for both Toulouse and the national team, having played age-grade rugby in that position, he has tended to feature at centre since becoming a regular at Les Rouge et Noir. Similarly, Horne generally plays at 12 for his club side Glasgow Warriors but was impressive against Cardiff Blues last weekend in the 10 channel. Therefore, whoever settles the better in that position will give his team a huge advantage.

Previous results:

2018: Scotland won 32-26 at Murrayfield
2017: France won 22-16 in Paris
2016: Scotland won 29-18 at Murrayfield
2015: France won 19-16 in Paris
2015: France won 15-8 in Paris
2014: France won 19-17 at Murrayfield
2013: France won 23-16 in Paris
2012: France won 23-17 at Murrayfield
2011: France won 34-21 in Paris
2010: France won 18-9 at Murrayfield

Prediction: It’s very hard to back Les Bleus when they are in disarray but there’s surely too much talent in that XV for Scotland. A full-strength visitors would be favourites but the disruption caused by the numerous injuries will ultimately hamper them. France by 5.

The teams:

France: 15 Thomas Ramos, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Mathieu Bastareaud, 12 Gaël Fickou, 11 Yoann Huget, 10 Romain Ntamack, 9 Antoine Dupont, 8 Louis Picamoles, 7 Arthur Iturria, 6 Wenceslas Lauret, 5 Félix Lambey, 4 Sébastien Vahaamahina, 3 Demba Bamba, 2 Guilhem Guirado (c), 1 Jefferson Poirot
Replacements: 16 Camille Chat, 17 Etienne Falgoux, 18 Dorian Aldegheri, 19 Paul Willemse, 20 Gregory Alldritt, 21 Baptiste Serin, 22 Anthony Belleau, 23 Maxime Medard

Scotland: 15 Blair Kinghorn, 14 Tommy Seymour, 13 Nick Grigg, 12 Sam Johnson, 11 Sean Maitland, 10 Pete Horne, 9 Greig Laidlaw (c), 8 Josh Strauss, 7 Jamie Ritchie, 6 Magnus Bradbury, 5 Jonny Gray, 4 Grant Gilchrist, 3 Simon Berghan, 2 Stuart McInally, 1 Allan Dell
Replacements: 16 Fraser Brown, 17 Alex Allan, 18 Zander Fagerson, 19 Ben Toolis, 20 Gary Graham, 21 Ali Price, 22 Adam Hastings, 23 Darcy Graham

Date: Saturday, February 23
Venue: Stade de France, Paris
Kick-off: 15:15 local (14:15 GMT)
Referee: Nic Berry (Australia)
Assistant Referees: Nigel Owens (Wales), Andrew Brace (Ireland)
TMO: Rowan Kitt (England)