Scotland v France: Six Nations 2024 – live

Pre match musings for your reading pleasure

Kyle Steyn is off to support his wife who is currently in labour and that will bring young Harry Paterson in at fullback while shifting Kyle Rowe to the wing. Here’s how Scotland line up now.

Harry Paterson; Kyle Rowe, Huw Jones, Sione Tuipulotu, Duhan van der Merwe, Finn Russell (co-capt), Ben White; Pierre Schoeman, George Turner, Zander Fagerson, Grant Gilchrist, Scott Cummings, Matt Fagerson, Rory Darge (co-capt), Jack Dempsey.

Replacements 16 Ewan Ashman, 17 Alec Hepburn, 18 Elliot Millar-Mills, 19 Sam Skinner, 20 Andy Christie, 21 George Horne, 22 Ben Healy, 23 Cam Redpath.

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Gregor Townsend moves Jamie Ritchie out of the squad to bring co-captain Rory Darge into the backrow. Luke Crosbie and Richie Grey miss out due to injury.

France welcomes Cameron Woki into the second row, replacing Paul Willemse – banned after his red card v Ireland. Louis Bielle-Biarrey replaces Yoram Moefana on the wing.

SCOTLAND Harry Paterson; Kyle Rowe, Huw Jones, Sione Tuipulotu, Duhan van der Merwe, Finn Russell (co-capt), Ben White; Pierre Schoeman, George Turner, Zander Fagerson, Grant Gilchrist, Scott Cummings, Matt Fagerson, Rory Darge (co-capt), Jack Dempsey.

Replacements 16 Ewan Ashman, 17 Alec Hepburn, 18 Elliot Millar-Mills, 19 Sam Skinner, 20 Andy Christie, 21 George Horne, 22 Ben Healy, 23 Cam Redpath.

FRANCE Thomas Ramos; Damian Penaud, Gaël Fickou, Jonathan Danty, Louis Bielle-Biarrey; Matthieu Jalibert, Maxime Lucu; Cyril Baille, Peato Mauvaka, Uini Atonio, Cameron Woki, Paul Gabrillagues, François Cros, Charles Ollivon, Grégory Alldritt (capt).

Replacements 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.

In the words of Joey “The Lips” Fagan, “I believe in starts. Once you have the start, the rest is inevitable”.

That was certainly the mood in the Scotland camp at this point a year ago and Townsend’s men will want to repeat back to back opening wins this time around (as well as working on the inevitable bit, obviously). The opening win over Wales was somehow simultaneously more and less convincing than the 35-7 walloping they dished out in 2023. However, repelling that resurgent second-half from Wales will serve them well; France roll into Edinburgh to restore some dignity and haul themselves off zero points and the foot of the table.

Les Bleus won on their previous visit to Murrayfield as part of their march to the 2022 Grand Slam. It is fair to point out that today’s squad is some way short of that imperious state in terms of personnel and form, but even with that they surely cannot play as poorly as they did v Ireland.

Scotland will recall that it was the France match 12 months back that derailed that start they were so keen to believe in. This is the test they must pass before they welcome England in a fortnight.