Scotland v France Sunday 8th March 2020

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Scotland v France
BT Murrayfield Stadium
Edinburgh

Sunday 8th March 2020
KO 15:00

Live on BBC1


Well assuming it goes ahead and it would be very late to cancel it now, The all conquering French team will arrive in Scotland for this weekends fixture.

This match will go a long way to either propelling France towards a Grand Slam (first for a long time) or giving Scotland a half decent season and guaranteeing that Toonie stays in post.

France have looked good without being totally convincing and have looked vulnerable to second half comebacks in all of their games so far. They are playing some fantastic rugby but maybe their fitness is not quite at the level of some of the other sides yet and it is hard to say that they look unbeatable, especially away from home.

Scotland actually have a pretty good record against France at home and even beat them pretty comfortably in the summer despite a very poor start to the game.

This is a different French side though, especially with the new defensive set up and they are less likely to be carrying past baggage. They will be very clinical and will take scoring chances if Scotland give them to them. They should be favourites for this game and for the GS if they win. The question for them is probably are they ready for that kind of pressure this early in their development as a team?

As for Scotland, well a win last time out removes the spectre of whitewashes and wooden spoon and hopefully that can loosen them up a lot for this game. Defensively they have been very hard to break down in this championship and that might frustrate the French as well. There is no doubt though that to win this game, our attack needs to click and without FR and with Huw Jones still not really firing (he did nothing against Leinster that suggested he would be back in the team this week).

I don't expect many changes to the Scotland set up. Of all the players out last weekend, probably only Kyle Steyn put in a convincing case to get himself into the team. He has been playing well all season and has scored some eye catching tries, so maybe it is his turn now.

I am expecting to see a Scotland team something like this:

1. Sutherland
2. McInally
3. Fagerson Z
4. Cummings
5. Toolis
6. Ritchie
7. Watson
8. Bradbury
9. Price
10. Hastings
11. Maitland
12. Johnson
13. Harris
14. Kinghorn
15. Hogg

Subs:

Dell
Brown
Nel/Berghan - maybe Nel to counter the French scrum later in the game
Carmichael - another youngster worthy of a spot, been playing well for Edinburgh
Fagerson/Haining - The carrying of Haining v the defensive excellence of Fagerson (he made 31 tackles against Leinster!), I think he will so with youth
Horne G
Hutchinson
Steyn

NeilyBroon wrote:Well I hope France dont implode and our players have a good game! No joy in victory from the other team playing badly, unless we make them through our play!

Still don't think we're going to win but a couple of nice tries and a close scoreline with improved execution would be good. Hoping to see steyn on the pitch today.

Really??

I don't care how we win - I'd be delighted we won!

Can't imagine SA has any less joy winning the WC because England didn't play well in the final.

Looks like it is going to be a dry track in Edinburgh this afternoon.

This has got the makings of a good game.

I think that'll lose by 2 scores but also score 2 tries.

Yeah that is the kind of game I am expecting as well GC.

If Scotland remain consistent then it'll be another close loss, but I can't see that happening if the conditions are dry and good for open rugby. This young French side have the ability to slice defences apart and I think that will happen today.

Kinghorn has been a little quiet this 6N, I'd like to see him step up and really have a good game in attack to make up for any defensive frailties. Likewise, I hope we see the clinical Hastings, the one who kicked all his penalties and conversions against Sale. For all the talk of Ntamack this 6N, Hastings has a massive opportunity to show the rugby world what he's all about. He won't want Russell to win back the 10 jersey this summer and secretly I am sure he harbours Lions ambitions.

Regardless of my infernal Scottish optimism I have to back France for a strong win. I don't believe the comments about how they've been "lucky with decisions" or have only done well because "they've managed to get ahead early". They're playing the best rugby in the tournament, that's all.

Scotland about to prove that France are just very naughty boys and not beyond a fair beating.

Go Scots!

BigGee wrote:Looks like it is going to be a dry track in Edinburgh this afternoon.

This has got the makings of a good game.

Blowing a gale again though.

Hopefully the kicking is kept to a minimum

France by a boatload. Though I hope I'm wrong. The French are the best team at this year's Six Nations, and Scotland have done nothing to indicate they'll be able to stand up to the onslaught.

I dunno like. I’ve still got this odd feeling that because no one expects it, Scotland could spring a surprise

Is Darcey Graham injured?

Gregory Aldritt's brother (who lives in Edinburgh and plays for a club there) has got the most amazing hybrid Scottish-French accent!

tigertattie wrote:I dunno like. I’ve still got this odd feeling that because no one expects it, Scotland could spring a surprise

Three guys in the Irish studio, one of 'em O'Gara... then Matt Williams and Shane Horgan don't think it would be a surprise, tiger.  Sorry but don't think you're coming in under the radar in this one.

If Scotland can sustain their brand of high fizz rugby through most of the 80, they should question France's more on-off rhythms.  Don't let them have a break and we'll see what's cooking.

Anyone who expects Scotland to win is delusional.

We can win. But expect to? No.

Only Toonie, the players and coaches should be saying they expect a win.

tigertattie wrote:

Only Toonie, the players and coaches should be saying they expect a win.

Another f**king UN directive?

The world ain't no fun no more.

tigertattie wrote:Anyone who expects Scotland to win is delusional.

We can win. But expect to? No.

Only Toonie, the players and coaches should be saying they expect a win.

Feel the bookmakers are being very generous to Scotland's chances, with the French around 8/15 and Scotland at 15/8.

Still, we're about to find out.

Still. We do have a meatball

Maybe it's just me but it's a long time since I've heard a loud and concise 'Advantage Over!' They seem to last forever these days.

Ha! Ha! Just heard a quick one

BigGee wrote:Gregory Aldritt's brother (who lives in Edinburgh and plays for a club there) has got the most amazing hybrid Scottish-French accent!

Difficult to find someone that personalise better the 6N: father born and bred in Sterling , Irish grandpa ,mother with Italian and French background,  owns both British and French passports, and born in France rugby capital . (Toulouse). Just need to marry a Welsh lass.

He did lift him there, I think a yellow

Was expecting a red to be honest, because he was put down on his head/neck area.

50th cap Brown chucking it away as usual.

Ntamack won't be back, he looks very groggy

Well that already 2 injured players and one in the bin !

BigGee wrote:Gregory Aldritt's brother (who lives in Edinburgh and plays for a club there) has got the most amazing hybrid Scottish-French accent!

The Auld Alliance...

What about the deliberate knock on?

A bit nervy from Hastings, but over it goes

Scotland have started well

Good work by Scotland backrow. Somehow lucky to be only 3 points down.

Hastings looks like he has got the boots on today

6-0 Scotland

Scrums taking way too long.

About time that when a scrum goes down it’s a free kick and you can’t elect for another scrum

RKO from outta nowhere

Some player that Dupont

Get wee George on now. Ali price is woeful

Another red this weekend eh.

Punch to the head

Red card all day long

Was he onside from Dupont's kick? No one seemed to think otherwise, but it would be interesting to see the relevant camera angle.

Jamie Ritchie smiling away quite happy he got a punch

If scotland cant win with France a man down for 40 minutes toonie absolutely should be sacked.

Classic Jamie Ritchie being a massive pain in the arse, completely daft to react like that

Bloody hell France. I had money on you for the slam. Why balls it up now

The title should be England’s now. Thanks France

This will make when we inevitably bugger this up even funnier.

Who says we can't score tries!

Finn Who?

Allez les blues (peely wally blues)

Where’s Maitland playing his club rugby next season?

14-7 Scotland at HT

France get a red card and Scotland take the lead 14-7 at half time.

That whole fracas was stated by nick Haining not backing down to the french niggle. Bout time Scotland started showing some teeth

tigertattie wrote:That whole fracas was stated by nick Haining not backing down to the french niggle. Bout time Scotland started showing some teeth

Haining has had a good half, well worth his selection

The ultimate Frenchness of shooting themselves in the foot, like at the World Cup. A shame because they had scored a wonderful try and were starting to look good with ball in hand. Not quite over, but Scotland should be comfortable from here (barring another red!).

The scrums have, again, been a joke.