key events
Think before the game for your reading pleasure
Late team change!
Kyle Steyn will travel to support his wife, who is currently in labor, which will see youngster Harry Paterson take up the role at fullback while Kyle Rowe will be moved to the wing . This is Scotland’s current squad.
Harry Paterson; Kyle Rowe, Huw Jones, Sione Tuipulotu, Duhan van der Merwe, Finn Russell (vice-captain), Ben White; Pierre Schoolman, George Te Na, Xander Fagerson, Grant Gilchrist, Scott Cummings, Matt Fagerson, Rory Dutch (vice-captain), Jack Dempsey.
replacement 16 Ivan Ashman, 17 Alec Hepburn, 18 Elliott Miller-Mills, 19 Sam Skinner, 20 Andy Christie, 21 George Horn, 22 Ben Healy , 23 Cam Redpath.
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team
Gregor Townsend removed Jamie Ritchie from the squad, bringing vice-captain Rory Darge into the back row. Luke Crosby and Rich Gray are out with injuries.
France welcome Cameron Walkey into the second row, replacing Paul Williams – suspended after picking up a red card against Ireland. Louis Biller-Biare replaces Yoram Mofana at winger.
Scotland Harry Paterson; Kyle Rowe, Huw Jones, Sione Tuipulotu, Duhan van der Merwe, Finn Russell (vice-captain), Ben White; Pierre Schoolman, George Te Na, Xander Fagerson, Grant Gilchrist, Scott Cummings, Matt Fagerson, Rory Dutch (vice-captain), Jack Dempsey.
replacement 16 Ivan Ashman, 17 Alec Hepburn, 18 Elliott Miller-Mills, 19 Sam Skinner, 20 Andy Christie, 21 George Horn, 22 Ben Healy , 23 Cam Redpath.
France Tomas Ramos; Damien Penault, Gael Ficu, Jonathan Dante, Luis Biele-Biare; Mathieu Jalibert, Maxime Lucou; Siri Valle, Pito Movaca, Yuni Attonio, Cameron Walki, Paul Gabriaguez, Francois Cross, Charles Olivan, Gregory Alderit (captain).
replacement 16 Julien Marchand, 17 Sébastien Taofifénua, 18 Dorian Aldegheri, 19 Posolo Tuilagi, 20 Alexandre Roumat, 21 Paul Boudehent, 22 Nolann le Garrec, 23 Yoram Moefana.
Preface
In the words of Joey “Lip” Fagan, “I believe in beginnings. Once you have a beginning, the rest is inevitable.”
That was certainly the mood in the Scotland camp a year ago, and Townsend’s men will be hoping to repeat their back-to-back opening wins this time around (while, obviously, grappling with the inevitable issues).First win against Wells was, in a way, more at the same time and They were less convincing than their 35-7 victory in 2023. A second-half resurgence against Wells will do them good, though; France travel to Edinburgh to regain some dignity and move up from zero points and bottom of the table.
blues They won on their previous visit to Murrayfield as part of their bid for the 2022 Grand Slam. To be fair, today’s team is still some way off that imperious form in terms of personnel and form, but even so, they certainly won’t be as bad as they were against Ireland.
Scotland will remember that it was the game against France 12 months ago that led to the start they were so keen to believe in. It’s a test they must pass before taking on England in two weeks’ time.
