SEVEN months on from the postponement of their original fixture, Scotland and France at last get the chance to meet at Scotstoun today. So much has changed since March, in the wider world and within the home camp, where Bryan Easson has succeeded Philip Doyle as head coach.
But the fundamental fact remains the same: the French, ranked fourth in the world, are formidable opponents, and the Scots will have to be at the top of their game if they are to cause an upset.
Scotland’s match against Italy was also postponed for Covid-related reasons seven months ago, so this match will be just their third in the 2020 Six Nations fixtures, with Wales and Italy to follow this autumn.
Having already lost to Ireland and England, they can realistically hope for no more than mid-table respectability; but, with three World Cup qualifiers to come before the end of the year, they hope to use the Championship to build some momentum.
A victory today would be a massive morale boost, but the priority will be to tighten up a defence that conceded 53 points to England.
“If you let them play, they’re a fantastic side, but if you push them back, they do not like to be under pressure,” hooker Lana Skeldon said of today’s opponents. “The more pressure we can put on them, the better the result we’ll get. We’re focused on bringing aggression and intensity in everything we do. It’s something we’re doing well in training, so hopefully we can take it into the game.”
France themselves lost narrowly to England, who will complete the Grand Slam if they win in Italy a week today. But the French bounced back to defeat Italy 45-10 and Wales 50-0, and go into this game as firm favourites.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here