Scotland vs France Prediction and Betting Tips: Scots can make visitors work for victory
After surviving a scare to end a 22-year wait for a win in Cardiff, Scotland turn their attention to Saturday’s clash with a formidable French side at Murrayfield in Round 2 of the 2024 Six Nations.
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Scotland burst into a 27-0 lead against at the Principality Stadium, before ill-discipline helped Wales stage a second-half fightback to eventually fall just short at 27-26.
Head coach Gregor Townsend will know his side need to improve drastically if they are to overcome a French side who will be reeling from their 38-17 defeat to Ireland in Marseille.
A thrilling encounter is in store at Murrayfield this weekend, in a game that might well go down to the wire.
Team news
Scotland have been handed a boost with the return of co-captain Rory Darge to the back-row.
Former skipper Jamie Ritchie drops out of the 23, with in-form Saracens back-rower Andy Christie earning a place on the bench.
Jack Dempsey also comes into the starting back-row, while lock Grant Gilchrist replaces the injured Richie Gray.
Townsend has stuck with the same backline that impressed in the first 45 minutes of the contest against the Welsh.
As for France, head coach Fabien Galthie has made two changes from the side that suffered defeat to the Irish.
Paul Willemse is suspended after his red card in Marseille and is replaced by Cameron Woki in the second-row, while Louis Bielle-Biarrey has been chosen over Yoram Moefana on the left wing.
Lineups
Scotland XV
- Rowe; Steyn, H Jones, Tuipulotu, Van der Merwe; Russell (co-capt), White; Schoeman, Turner, Z Fagerson, Gilchrist, Cummings, M Fagerson, Darge (co-capt), Dempsey.
- Replacements: Ashman, Hepburn, Millar-Mills, Skinner, Christie, G Horne, Healy, Redpath.
France XV
- Ramos; Penaud, Fickou, Danty, Bielle-Biarrey; Jalibert, Lucu; Baille, Mauvaka, Antonio, Woki, Gabrillagues, Cros, Ollivon, Alldritt (capt).
- Replacements: Marchand, Taofifenua, Aldegheri, Tuilagi, Roumat, Boudehent, Le Gareec, Moefana.
Scotland vs France Tips
Scotland have a good recent record against the French at Murrayfield, winning three of the last four Six Nations meetings in Edinburgh.
Les Bleus will be looking for a response after they saw their Grand Slam hopes go up in flames on the opening weekend against Ireland.
A lack of discipline has hurt France in the past at Murrayfield and it was another red card for Galthie’s side last weekend.
Scotland will need to keep this monstrous French pack moving and they have just the man to do it in fly-half Finn Russell.
It might well be a tight encounter at Murrayfield, in a game that could go either way given the recent record between the sides.
There is certainly value to be had in the handicap market, with Scotland capable of coming out on top with a +4 handicap.
Having scored a brace against France in Paris last time out in the Six Nations, Huw Jones is a player worth looking out for in the anytime tryscorer market.
Jones has formed a great partnership with his Glasgow Warriors team-mate Sione Tuipulotu in the heart of the Scottish backline.
Tuipulotu has the ability to make breaks and put grubber kicks in behind that Jones reads well and is capable of getting on the end of.
Jones’ running angles have also caused France trouble in the past and the Glasgow star is good value to add to his 16 tries for his country this weekend.
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