Bonjour !

[tigran]

Alors ? What is your feeling for THE game ?

[switchskier]

Usual mix of pessemism and dread, tinged with the faint but cruel hint of hope.

How do you see France attacking Scotland tigs?

[tigran]

For now they have relied a lot on the kicking game and high balls, which is unusual...and on counter attacks...

I guess that Penaud will bring more pénétration and variation though.

We are just correct at the scrum and the line out for now... but our second row and back row have been dominating up till now...I really don't now how it will be against your guys, but I'm glad that finn Russel won't play.

[francoisfou]

France will undoubtedly be favourites, but that just opens the door for the Scots to blow that theory to pieces.
As Tigran says above, Penaud will surely play, if fit, which I believe he is. I wouldn't be surprised if he replaces Teddy Thomas whose defence is leaky, to say the least. So that'll mean that 20 year-old Arthur Vincent should keep his place at centre with Virimi Vakatawa with Gaël Fickou on the wing again.
I rate the French front row of Haouas, Marchand and Baille. Hooker, Julien Marchand is a terrific player and his replacement on the bench, Camille Chat is in the form of his life. But it'll be in the back row that I expect France to really dominate. François Cros, Charles Ollivon and Gregory Alldritt (who's got Scottish blood in his veins and his brother, I think, plays for Stewart's Melville) work well together and will give your boys a lot to think about!
I too, am pleased that Finn Russell won't be playing.
I think the only chance that Scotland have is to give 110% in the first half and not give the French an inch of space and hope that they tire on or around 60 minutes, which they've been known to do before. However, this is a new look team, young and well led by Ollivon and I expect them to win by 15 or so.
At least the weather should be better than a couple of weeks ago!

I've just read on the French Rugyrama website that there's talk of stopping the 10,000 or so French supporters from travelling to Edinburgh due to Coronavirus.
https://www.rugbyrama.fr/rugby/6-nation ... tory.shtml

If true, it's a shame 'cos a 6 Nations weekend in Edinburgh is great for away supporters. At the moment, however, no ban has been made so let's hope that doesn't change.

[Big D]

France are the best team in the competition.

Scotland are the poorest left standing.

That being said, we seem to do ok against France. 9-17 loss.

[Cameo]

If France's kicking game is as good as the last couple of weeks, we will need a bit of luck. Be interesting to see how it goes if we don't let them get away first half though not sure where our tries will come from.

Edit: I could be a pundit with that kind of bland waffle

[tigran]

France will undoubtedly be favourites, but that just opens the door for the Scots to blow that theory to pieces.
As Tigran says above, Penaud will surely play, if fit, which I believe he is. I wouldn't be surprised if he replaces Teddy Thomas whose defence is leaky, to say the least. So that'll mean that 20 year-old Arthur Vincent should keep his place at centre with Virimi Vakatawa with Gaël Fickou on the wing again.
I rate the French front row of Haouas, Marchand and Baille. Hooker, Julien Marchand is a terrific player and his replacement on the bench, Camille Chat is in the form of his life. But it'll be in the back row that I expect France to really dominate. François Cros, Charles Ollivon and Gregory Alldritt (who's got Scottish blood in his veins and his brother, I think, plays for Stewart's Melville) work well together and will give your boys a lot to think about!
I too, am pleased that Finn Russell won't be playing.
I think the only chance that Scotland have is to give 110% in the first half and not give the French an inch of space and hope that they tire on or around 60 minutes, which they've been known to do before. However, this is a new look team, young and well led by Ollivon and I expect them to win by 15 or so.
At least the weather should be better than a couple of weeks ago!

I've just read on the French Rugyrama website that there's talk of stopping the 10,000 or so French supporters from travelling to Edinburgh due to Coronavirus.
https://www.rugbyrama.fr/rugby/6-nation ... tory.shtml

If true, it's a shame 'cos a 6 Nations weekend in Edinburgh is great for away supporters. At the moment, however, no ban has been made so let's hope that doesn't change.

Baille is out, Gros might replace him I guess

[switchskier]

Battle of the backrows should be great. As good as the French have been there I'm hopeful that we can compete and spoil so that Dupont doesn't have such an armchair ride. Ultimately however it's likely to be the French class in the halfbacks that will be the difference I reckon.

[francoisfou]

Battle of the backrows should be great. As good as the French have been there I'm hopeful that we can compete and spoil so that Dupont doesn't have such an armchair ride. Ultimately however it's likely to be the French class in the halfbacks that will be the difference I reckon.

If you can get parity in the backrow then we could be in for a tight match, but I can't really see it happening. If Dupont is given half an inch, he'll be away and the Scots' backrow will be chasing shadows.
Although I've said above that i expect France to win, I wouldn't be at all surprised if it goes down to the wire, meaning that the Scots will have to play like they did in the second half against England last season. They're capable of pulling the rabbit out of the hat, but will it be this Sunday?

[Donny osmond]

Battle of the backrows should be great. As good as the French have been there I'm hopeful that we can compete and spoil so that Dupont doesn't have such an armchair ride. Ultimately however it's likely to be the French class in the halfbacks that will be the difference I reckon.

If you can get parity in the backrow then we could be in for a tight match, but I can't really see it happening. If Dupont is given half an inch, he'll be away and the Scots' backrow will be chasing shadows.
Although I've said above that i expect France to win, I wouldn't be at all surprised if it goes down to the wire, meaning that the Scots will have to play like they did in the second half against England last season. They're capable of pulling the rabbit out of the hat, but will it be this Sunday?

No.

France by at least 15.

Sent from my CPH1951 using Tapatalk

[francoisfou]

Battle of the backrows should be great. As good as the French have been there I'm hopeful that we can compete and spoil so that Dupont doesn't have such an armchair ride. Ultimately however it's likely to be the French class in the halfbacks that will be the difference I reckon.

If you can get parity in the backrow then we could be in for a tight match, but I can't really see it happening. If Dupont is given half an inch, he'll be away and the Scots' backrow will be chasing shadows.
Although I've said above that i expect France to win, I wouldn't be at all surprised if it goes down to the wire, meaning that the Scots will have to play like they did in the second half against England last season. They're capable of pulling the rabbit out of the hat, but will it be this Sunday?

No.

France by at least 15.

Sent from my CPH1951 using Tapatalk

That’s a shame, innit? I was looking forward to a good game!

[whatisthejava]

Scotland is way to statistics driven right now, reckon 17-9 to France is about right. Scotland will not capitalize when France are blowing out their arses after 60 mins.

[Chunks Baws]

The tournaments stingiest defence versus the tournaments hottest try scorers!! Should be an epic, but we'll drag it in to a turgid bore fest.

France by 10 plus

[ARM]

We’re going to fuckin smash them.

[francoisfou]

We’re going to fuckin smash them.

Good man, ARM! That's what I like to hear - misguided confidence

[francoisfou]

Good news! Racing 92 Winger Teddy Thomas has been sent back to his club and won't be going to Murrayfield.
As I mentioned above, his defence isn't so hot and will hopefully be relaced by Damien Penaud.

[Cameo]

Teddy Thomas really could be one of the, or even the, best wingers in the world but he does seem to do quite a few random things and switch off periodically.

Why have you ditched Raja?

[francoisfou]

Teddy Thomas really could be one of the, or even the, best wingers in the world but he does seem to do quite a few random things and switch off periodically.

Why have you ditched Raja?

I think you mean Fijian Raka. Don’t know. I think he’s one of those players who’s either brilliant or does what Thomas does at the very moment you don’t want him to! Sunday’s wingers will surely be Fickou and Penaud. Although Fickou’s normally a centre, he’s equally competent on the wing.

[ARM]

We’re going to fuckin smash them.

Good man, ARM! That's what I like to hear - misguided confidence

Just trying to provide a bit of balance to the gloom!

Penaud is all class...your lads are looking strong across the park. Johnnie Beattie who has spent a fair few years in France doesn't rate your TH props apparently. Mind you not sure what Beattie knows about contact and the tight stuff...loves a bit of seagulling on the wing that lad.

[Cameo]

I enjoyed his article. Sounds like Galthie is an absolute nightmare to play under (basically, a bully) but a genius tactically

[switchskier]

I enjoyed his article. Sounds like Galthie is an absolute nightmare to play under (basically, a bully) but a genius tactically

Odds on a French squad implosion just before a crucial quarter final in 2023? Probably after coming in as heavy favourites

[Cameo]

I missed the fact Hutchinson is playing for Northampton on Friday night. Seems like it will have to be in the summer that he gets a real go.

Lots of talk of a 6/2 bench but I'm not convinced. If you pick Horne and Weir I suppose Hastings could drop back and cover full back and Hogg could go to the wing or 13 but it seems a stretch. Horne or Price on the wing is another fall back plan but not ideal.

I'd prefer that we try and use our backs as a weapon again instead.

[General Zod]

Je would like to see hutch given a go and also Matt scott. Alas, doesn’t seem like either of those is gonna happen. Nous shall see.