Scottish Rugby

Rampant Scotland annihilated French Grand Slam dreams with a stunning seven-try victory at Murrayfield that blew the Six Nations championship wide open.

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Former Scotland back row Johnnie Beattie: "Scotland are now taking it to super Saturday and they are worthy winners. That was joyous to watch.

"Scottish rugby, on days like that, is phenomenal to be part of and to be here on game day.

"Just remarkable."

Former Scotland captain John Barclay: "I don't think anyone thought it would be 50-40.

"Scotland had to be brave. They came with a clear plan and were unbelievably good.

"They made a really good French team look quite average in large parts of the game."

England World Cup winning captain Martin Johnson: "Pressure is everything. France didn't look as quick or decisive.

"As brave as Scotland were with the ball, they were also very good defensively.

"France cracked a little bit."

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Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend tells BBC One: "It was a brilliant day, brilliant day for our supporters.

"Not just the rugby we played, but the mindset to keep attacking, a lot of teams would sit on that lead against France.

"We know the best way of winning is playing like what got us that success in the first half.

"I believed in the team.

"Our game is built to put some of our best strike players in the game into space and they built phase after phase and grew in confidence.

"You need painful moments and defeat to make you the team you're going to be. Italy is part of the journey."

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France captain Antoine Dupont has insisted that his side will be focused on Scotland's challenge, rather than the possibility of sealing back-to-back titles when the sides clash at Murrayfield this weekend.

The defending champions could wrap up an Six Nations triumph with a game to spare if they secure bonus-point win in Edinburgh.

Failure to get the result they need would still allow France to complete the job against England next weekend, and Dupont was clear the side will play the game and see where it takes them.

"It's important to win competitions when you're in a position to win them," he said.

"Obviously, for many reasons, it will be more than positive to win this tournament, but we still have two games to play and today we're far from it.

"The goal is to win the match. We know how difficult it is to win here. We don't need to talk about the quality of the Scottish team, especially since the beginning of this tournament.

"Our main focus is here for the moment. We will have time to see what happens next."

Dupont says Scotland have "surely the best attack of the championship" and believes the teams could put on a real show for the crowd, which will include 15,000 travelling fans.

"I hope that there will be a show, but it is important that we do not lose the focus of winning the match," said the Toulouse star. "But if there can be both, it is obviously all the better.

"We have the keys to compete with Scotland, but we will have to be at the maximum of our concentration and intensity to be able to compete."

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

Scotland are "battle-tested" for their challenge of derailing France's Grand Slam charge and maintaining their own Six Nations title ambitions, according to captain Sione Tuipulotu.

It's been a rollercoaster tournament so far for the Scots, recovering from an opening-day defeat to Italy with back-to-back victories - a thrilling win over England followed by a gritty victory over Wales in Cardiff.

Now comes their toughest challenge against a France team who have swept all before them and are looking to make it four wins from four at Murrayfield on Saturday.

"I feel battle-tested leading into this fourth game and I think that's an important aspect going into these last two games," Tuipulotu said.

"We've found ourselves probably behind, up, close games at the end, especially two weeks ago against Wales.

"So we're fully prepared for this game and wherever it goes, especially early.

"What an exciting opportunity we've created for ourselves here. One of the best teams in the world coming to Murrayfield, it's awesome for our fans and it's exciting for this team and an awesome next step for us to see where we're at.

"I'm really excited and happy with the prep that we've had this week."

We asked for your views on Gregor Townsend's selection for Saturday's Six Nations game and whether Scotland can beat France.

Here's what some of you said:

Graeme: Encouraged that Townsend is utilising the bench the way top teams have been for the last 10 years, it may not be enough for France but I'm hopeful we turn up in Dublin.

Sandy: I would have liked to see Duhan van der Merwe in the squad - at least on the bench. He's a big-match player and he could make an impact late in the game. But Scottish team is looking good. Let's go.

Graeme: Zander Fagerson on the bench is a huge call but probably the correct one. Jack Dempsey back is massive, not sure Blair Kinghorn deserves to keep his place. Let Freddy Douglas and Josh Bayliss loose in the second half.

Freddie: Pleased to see Freddy Douglas get a chance. He's been immense for Edinburgh in the Champions Cup.

Ronald: D'Arcy Rae and Rory Sutherland appear from nowhere, the latter is a shadow of the player he once was and I think the scrum will go to pieces when he comes on. I would have given Bayliss a game instead of Fagerson. Is Grant Gilchrist really our only option at lock? I hope I'm wrong but I fear the worst.

Stuart: Workrate for the whole matchday 23 will be key. They cannot switch off for a second. We have not seen this French team tested early, and Scotland need to do this to have any chance. If France get their noses more than a score in front they will win, it would be then just a case of by how many.

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Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has been speaking to the media after naming his team to face France in Saturday's Six Nations clash.

Here are the main points:

• Although France have "shown over the last two or three games they're the best attacking team in the world", Townsend wants his side to "limit their opportunities to play off turnover ball but also take the game to them".

• Scotland have "not really talked about" the prospect of France winning the title at Murrayfield, with Townsend adding: "It's obviously about what we can do, staying in the championship for another week."

• With Scotland's own title hopes still alive, Townsend stresses it is "possible to win our next two games", adding: "I believe in the group. Any game we go into I believe we can beat our opposition."

• Scotland's record of five wins in 13 meetings with France in Townsend's reign and recent close encounters with them gives the team confidence. "They're a top team but we've risen our game when we've played against them and we felt very frustrated not to win against them two years ago," says the Scotland boss.

• Townsend is hoping for "a really open, contested game" but admits "if it's a 3-0 win we'll take that as well".

• On dropping Zander Fagerson to the bench, Townsend insists he is "going to get big minutes".

• The Scotland staff are "delighted D'Arcy Rae is fit" and are hoping he can "play like he did against New Zealand and Argentina" in the autumn series.

• Townsend heaped praise on Freddy Douglas, who is primed for a Six Nations debut off the bench, insisting "his game is at a world-class level" and believes the 20-year-old back-row is "going to have such a big impact in all facets of the game".

• The head coach admits Jack Dempsey's return is "unexpected and a real boost", adding: "We feel like we have players in the starting XV and the bench that can give us go-forward."

Tom English
BBC Scotland's chief sports writer

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France might have four changes for this game but they're reverting to the starting line-up that took Ireland to the cleaners on that opening Thursday night.

Theo Attisogbe is 21, Nicolas Depoortere is 23, Louis Bielle-Biarrey is 22 and Oscar Jegou is 22. Baby-faced assassins.

Bielle-Biarrey is out of of this world. He's scored in his past eight Six Nations games.

Imagine having such strength that you can leave Thibaud Flament, one of the world's best locks in my view, on the bench while leaving out Damian Penaud, Gregory Alldritt and Cameron Woki and many others altogether.

France are dripping with world class. What a test for Scotland. They must be relishing it. It doesn't get much bigger than this.

France have not trailed for a solitary second in any of their three games so far. To say they have a tendency to fly out of the traps is a bit of an understatement.

They've scored tries in minutes one, two, four, 10 and 15. Maybe they'll get spooked if they have to play catch-up, but none of Ireland, Wales or Italy have come anywhere close to finding out.

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Jack Dempsey being fit to start is huge for Scotland. He is their biggest, most effective ball carrier and his punch will be vital in taking the fight to the French.

Zander Fagerson dropping to the bench is a surprise, but not a shock. He has been well off his best so far in this Six Nations and the Scottish scrum has been a problem.

D'Arcy Rae performed well when called upon against the All Blacks in November and he'll need another big performance to help Scotland get parity at set-piece.

It'll be a big day too for Freddy Douglas. The Edinburgh back-row is set to make his Six Nations debut off the bench and Gregor Townsend will hope his exceptional skills at the breakdown can disrupt the French attack.

Townsend has often been criticised for failing to use his replacements or not going to his bench early enough in games, but he got that side of the game spot on against Wales.

He hauled off Max Williamson and Nathan McBeth on 35 minutes in Cardiff, acknowledging his starting XV was struggling.

Pierre Schoeman and Josh Bayliss had a big impact, as did the likes of George Horne and Tom Jordan later.

The bench impact will be crucial on Saturday. Scotland fans might be best advised not to look at some of the weapons France will be calling upon, but Scotland have some good options to deploy too.

Ewan Ashman's carrying will be valuable in the closing stages, Zander Fagerson should have a point to prove having been demoted, while it will be fascinating to see what young Douglas can do in his specialist area at the breakdown.

The key for Scotland is to still be in the game when these guys enter the fray.

Scotland will start without Zander Fagerson for the first time in 17 Six Nations games when they host France at Murrayfield on Saturday.

Tighthead prop D'Arcy Rae replaces Fagerson, who drops to the bench, while Jack Dempsey returns from injury at number eight and winger Darcy Graham is in for a first start of the 2026 tournament.

What do you make of Gregor Townsend's selection choices? Can Scotland end Les Bleus' unbeaten run and kept their own title hopes intact?

Share your thoughts here.

Scotland: Kinghorn, Graham, Jones, Tuipulotu (capt), Steyn, Russell, White; Schoeman, Turner, Rae, Brown, Cummings, M Fagerson, Darge, Dempsey.

Replacements: Ashman, Sutherland, Z Fagerson, Gilchrist, Douglas, Bayliss, Horne, Jordan.

Image source, PA Media

Unbeaten France have made four personnel changes to their line-up for Saturday's Six Nations match with Scotland at Murrayfield.

Thomas Ramos shifts from fly-half to full-back to replace Theo Attissogbe, who is moved to the wing with Gael Drean dropping out.

Matthieu Jalibert takes over from Ramos at fly-half while Yoram Moefana and Nicolas Depoortere form a new centre partnership in place of Fabien Brau-Boirie and Emilien Gailleton.

Lock Charles Ollivon coming in for Thibaud Flament is the only change in the pack.

Flament is the only one of the four players dropping out to make the bench.

Fabien Galthie's Grand Slam contenders side have recorded bonus-point wins over Ireland, Wales and Italy and finish at home to England after facing Scotland.

France: Thomas Ramos, Theo Attissogbe, Nicolas Depoortere, Yoram Moefana, Louis Bielle-Biarry, Matthieu Jalibert, Antoine Dupont; Jean-Baptiste Gros, Julien Marchand, Dorian Aldegheri, Charles Ollivon, Mickael Guillard, Francois Gros, Oscar Jegou, Anthony Jelonch.

Replacements: Peato Mauvaka, Rodrigue Neti, Demba Bamba, Thibaud Flament, Emmanuel Meafou, Baptiste Serin, Pierre-Louis Barassi.

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Former Scotland number eight Johnnie Beattie believes Gregor Townsend's men are "capable of the extraordinary" and wouldn't be surprised to see them beat France on Saturday.

Fabien Galthie's French side travel to Murrayfield knowing a bonus-point win will make them Six Nations champions with a game to spare.

A home victory would allow Scotland to head to Ireland on the final day with a genuine shot at a first title in 27 years.

Townsend's men have faced France 13 times during his tenure, winning five, and Beattie is not putting it past the Scots to add a sixth.

The 40-year-old, who played for Montpellier, Castres and Bayonne as well as Glasgow Warriors, told the BBC's Scotland Rugby Podcast: "It's a funny Scottish set-up because they have such high days and such lows as well but they're capable of the extraordinary.

"I wouldn't put it past them to beat a French side, travelling away from home that know they've got a game in hand and can wrap up a championship this weekend. But they could also be very French about it and be absolutely dismal.

"Let's not forget that we've put them under real pressure before, both away in Paris and at Murrayfield. It is possible. I know we're being totally written off but I still think there's enough that it doesn't matter.

"You look at Scotland's backline and what they have been capable of. They will score points and we have to back them to do so. Give them the ball, don't give France the ball, dominate set-pieces, try to control possession and try to outscore them.

"We've been written off but I still think it's possible."

BBC Scotland's chief sportswriter Tom English has been answering some of your Scottish rugby questions as Gregor Townsend's side prepare to host France in the Six Nations this weekend.

Cam asked: What changes do you think we'll see to the matchday 23 heading into the France game? Will Magnus Bradbury be given a shot after his performance for Edinburgh at the weekend.

Tom answered: It's hard to second-guess Gregor Townsend, but you'd imagine he'll be thinking hard about bringing in Darcy Graham for Duhan van der Merwe.

There'll be discussion at loosehead as well. Nathan McBeth having been taken off so early in Wales. It wouldn't be a surprise if Pierre Schoeman started.

France haven't used their scrum all that much because they just want to get the ball out and play. Italy had them in trouble at times, but Italy's scrum is the best in the tournament. Schoeman to start, possibly.

People are criticising Zander Fagerson and it's true he's been some way short of his brilliant best. No way I'd drop him. Hopefully this is the weekend he finds himself again.

I'm a big fan of Max Williamson, but he wasn't himself in Cardiff. I don't know what it was, but he looked leggy and lacking in power. He struggled to get to the pitch of the game for some reason.

Personally, I'd move Gregor Brown back in beside Scott Cummings. Brown was terrific in the second-row in Paris last season. Grant Gilchrist might be the second-row bench cover.

Back-row - if Jack Dempsey is fit to play then it's a huge boost. I wasn't expecting that. A back-row of Matt Fagerson-Rory Darge-Dempsey is the most likely, but I wouldn't rule out Josh Bayliss starting with Fagerson on the bench.

Townsend went 6-2 on the bench against France last season (and 5-3 the season before). If he goes 6-2 then Bradbury must have a chance. Lots of power and aggression. Unleash it for 20-25 minutes and it could be a big weapon. A 6-2 bench is risky, but beating this French team is going to be require a few gambles.

Chris asked: Would you agree that after his Cardiff performance Josh Bayliss has made himself a starter? Also did Rowe show enough over the weekend to make the 23?

Tom answered: He was excellent, a real impact man when Scotland most needed it. For Bayliss to start then Gregor Brown would have to go back into the second-row (something I'd agree with) and Matt Fagerson would have to drop to the bench. With Jamie Ritchie out injured, it's a close call between Bayliss and Fagerson.

If it's a 5-3 bench I'd like to see Kyle Rowe in the picture. He's a wonderful player in two different positions. He deserves to feature. I'd have him in the 23.

Andy Burke
BBC Sport Scotland Senior Reporter

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Forwards coach John Dalziel says Scotland will have to deliver their best performance of the Six Nations to stop the French "juggernaut" at Murrayfield on Saturday and keep their title hopes alive.

France have swept all before them in the tournament so far, with thumping victories over Ireland, Wales and Italy.

Scotland know an upset victory would see them go into the final weekend with a genuine shot at the title for the first time in the Six Nations era.

Many feel Les Bleus are on an unstoppable surge towards a Grand Slam, and a bonus-point win in Edinburgh would seal the title with one round to spare.

"In terms of the Six Nations, in terms of their form the last couple of years, there's not a bigger challenge really," Dalziel said.

"The way that they are, a bit of a juggernaut at the moment, they're coming with everything to gain at the weekend as well at Murrayfield.

"We're just internalising everything, basically making sure that we're really happy with where we are and we've got to have our game of the tournament so far to make sure we get the win at the weekend.

"They just have such a vast amount of players and what they are able to do is pick the lads in form. You've seen a lot of these guys in the European rounds for their clubs play so well and they have the ability to make changes as well at will and still look formidable. That's a really strong squad.

"They've got great strength and depth, as have we. We Know what we need from our game to rival them at the weekend and give them a match. Now we're really looking forward to the challenge."

Who better to give the lowdown on Les Bleus than Johnnie Beattie?

The former Scotland number eight, who spent the majority of his club career in France with Montpellier, Castres and Bayonne, joins Tom English and Andy Burke on the BBC Scotland Rugby Podcast to preview Saturday's Six Nations showdown at Murrayfield.

Listen and subscribe on BBC Sounds.