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'If there's one fixture that France could become unstuck on, it's this one'
A Scotland side with a burgeoning injury list have the daunting task of trying to repress arguably the most formidable force in world rugby currently when they host France this Saturday in the Guinness Six Nations.
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Gregor Townsend’s side will be hoping to bounce back from a loss to Wales in Cardiff after an uplifting win over England in round one, while France will be hoping the fallow week has not stultified any momentum they built with their win over Ireland at the Stade de France.
When, where and how to watch the match
The match will kick-off at 14:15 (UK) on Saturday February 26th at Murrayfield and will be broadcast live on the BBC in the UK, Virgin Media in Ireland, Stan Sport in Australia and SuperSport in South Africa.
Head-to-head
France lead Scotland in their head-to-head series with 56 wins to Scotland’s 39, with three draws. It has been a lot closer over their past ten matches though, with five matches won apiece, which includes Scotland’s first win in Paris for the first time in 22 years in the 2021 Championship.
Match odds from bet365
bet365 have the handicap on France at -7, with 12/5 odds that Scotland win. There are also 7/10 odds the visitors win both halves in Edinburgh.
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Prediction
Pundit Brian Moore said he did not expect France to lose in Edinburgh this weekend on his Full Contact podcast, but both he and his guest, former England international Tom May, agreed that this is the one fixture that could prove problematic for Fabien Galthie’s side.
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“If there’s one fixture that France could become unstuck on, I’d highlight this one,” May said. “I think it’s supposed to be pretty grim conditions again in Edinburgh.
“The one thing I think stands France in very good stead is the focus Raphael Ibanez had after the game [against Ireland], they moved straight on. They’re very different in the way they compose themselves. I think that might come from Shaun Edwards.
“The way you saw the coaches going around the players after the game, they’re obviously very close. They’re hugely focused. Almost as you walked into the Stade de France you felt not only the team but the fans also felt there is something happening within French rugby that is really pulling towards France 2023.”
*Odds accurate as of 22/02/22.
Comments on RugbyPass
Does a blitz defence not have a weekness against a well-placed grubber kick, perhaps angled cleverly. All the defence is up and the full-back can only cover so much ground. Thoughts?
28 Go to commentsWhile Iose is destructive in the Canes set-up, he is not big for an international 8 and could struggle against the top teams. With his speed, he could be developed into a seven but, as Ben points out, he doesn’t show a scavenging game with the Canes or make dominating tackles. Sotutu has shown a step up this year and attitude plus motivation seems to be the big areas of growth. Deserves another AB shot imo.
3 Go to commentsNaholo is my only question mark for this side. He wasn’t the only one who had a forgettable game against the Brumbies but he was passive, defensively poor and generally lacked energy. Needs to get a whole lot busier for me. I would have liked to see Sullivan on that wing with Higgins on the bench (if staying with a 6-2 as BeegMike points out on here!)
3 Go to commentsWell, I am sure that Eben said exactly what he meant to say, exactly how he meant to say it. Does he strike you as a man that doesn't know arrogance when he sees it. He should know it because he has shaken the arrogance out of many foes before.
128 Go to commentsPls get it into your thick arrogant heads that the final was played by two Southern Hemisphere teams. The best against the best and that Argentina was just unlucky otherwise non of the Northetn Hemisphere teams would have seen the light of day.
128 Go to commentsAs long as New Zealand youth are involved in sport they are passionate for, and are well supported, it’s all good. I love league as well as rugby. NRL clubs have long since scouted the First 15 competitions, the NH and Japan scout super rugby and NPC. It’s a miracle there’s any players left for the all blacks to pick from.
4 Go to commentsI'm a Bok fan, so I don't say this lightly, but he is one of my all time favourite players. I am really going to miss watching him play. Thanks for many great memories. You are a true legend of the game.
3 Go to commentsBest way to deal with all of this is to play another game.
128 Go to commentsIt’s 12-15 games Luke. Ringrose has barely played in 2024 and Henshaw and Keenan have also been out for spells in the same time period. There are always injuries and for younger players to play with the likes of Barrett will be great for them. It’s just looking for negatives where there are none.
5 Go to commentsAndy Goode pushing his own agenda with very dubious considerations on refereeing performances. Luke Pearce speaking a bit of French doesn’t make him a good and adequate referee for the Champions Cup final; his latest refereeing performance in particular was not so great.
4 Go to commentsJordie knows that he has to earn the right to put on the jersey, whatever that jersey might be.
5 Go to commentsThe best outside centre in the world at one point. He will be greatly missed.
3 Go to commentsYip his great for the big moments when needed as a safa really enjoy watching him
4 Go to commentsOne that will start to come up from now on is penalties for back pushes during kick chase scrambles. Very difficult to detect. In Croke Park if you replay the Hendy NH try, you will see Furbank push Porter in the back, who collides with Larmour knocking the ball across into Hendy’s path to dot down. A more significant example was in the RWC QTR final where Arendse pushes Fickou into two other French players for the ball to spill into Arendse’s path for him to gather and run in to score SAs first try. Not cheating if you are not caught and very difficult to spot but with kicking becoming so critical I feel its an area that will referreeed/TMO-ed more.
4 Go to commentsWhat a pathetic little twit Andy Goode is, as if we care what he thinks…..😂
128 Go to commentsFoxy has been a wonderful player for the Scarlets and Wales.
3 Go to commentsNika the Georgian is the best referee in the world at the moment. Luckily we will be spared the shite SH refs and Barnes will hopefully remain retired given how shite and embarrassing he was at the RWC.
4 Go to commentsThis is the most exciting game of the summer imo, as we really won’t know in advance how both teams are going to play. - Will Robertson just reproduce his Crusaders tactics from last year, or will there be a conscious effort to borrow from the Hurricanes and Blues, and from the aspects of the ABs world cup strategy that worked well? - England under Borthwick have put in some good performances playing attacking rugby, and some good performances playing kick-oriented defensive rugby. Will Borthwick try to merge them together into a single all-court game, or will he continue switching between different approaches depending on the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition?
1 Go to commentsI’m predicting an aggregate points difference of no more than +/-10pts across both matches this series.
1 Go to commentsI’m predicting an aggregate points difference of no more than +/-10pts across both matches this series.
9 Go to comments