World Cup is no distraction for Scotland's Nathan Hines
2011 Six Nations Championship - France v Scotland Venue: Stade de France Date: Saturday, 5 February Kick-off: 1700 GMT Coverage: Watch live on BBC One from 1635 (post-match forum on Red Button from 1900-1930); Listen on BBC Radio Scotland, BBC Radio 5 live sports extra; Live text commentary on BBC Sport website and mobiles
Advertisement
Hines hopes Scots will keep form
Scotland forward Nathan Hines expects players will be concentrating on the Six Nations campaign rather than what it means for this summer's World Cup.
Hines is in the starting line-up for Saturday's match against France.
"I think the World Cup will be pretty far back in their minds. It will certainly be pretty far back in mine," said the Leinster lock.
"All we are worried about is the Six Nations campaign and getting off on the right foot."
Scotland head for Paris buoyed by their victory over world champions South Africa and the defeat of Samoa that followed in their autumn internationals.
We will know a lot more about ourselves after the 80 minutes in Paris
Scotland coach Andy Robinson
"We have had a good run of results, which breeds more confidence," said Hines. "The guys know they have those good results behind them and we have played some good rugby.
"So it is a little bit easier to turn up on a Monday and train with that good feeling and that might be a main factor.
"We just want to put in a good performance and get a win in Paris for the first time in 11 years.
"I think the pressure is firmly on them having a better record over the last decade."
"If we win on Saturday, it will go a long way to helping us get a successful Six Nations."
Scotland suffered a record hammering by New Zealand at Murrayfield before recovering with that victory over the Springboks.
Robinson expects physical French
And head coach Andy Robinson hopes the match against the reigning Six Nations champions, who took the title by completing a Grand Slam, will confirm that the result was no fluke.
"If you look back to New Zealand, we had the expectation there, 'could this be the first time we could beat NZ?', and we got blown away," he said.
"We have got to take it step by step and we will know a lot more about ourselves after the 80 minutes in Paris."
Robinson realises the task facing the Scots but is relishing the challenge.
"It's a very good French side we are playing against, so we are really going to have to lift our game and perform to real high intensity.
"I am really excited about seeing the way that we can take them on.
"There is a great team spirit and there are some quality players.
"There were some fantastic results before I got involved. What I am delighted with is the way that we are able to sustain and get the consistency."
Bookmark with:
What are these?