Scotland take aim at back-to-back wins at the Rugby Six Nations for the first time in three years on Sunday but to do so they will have to beat France for the first time in 10 years.
Bad run
Vern Cotter’s side ended a dreadful run of nine straight defeats in the tournament against Italy in Rome two weeks ago, but the earlier losses to England and Wales still rankle and a French scalp would go a long way to salvaging the season.
High hopes
They would then travel to Dublin to take on struggling Ireland with a third-place finish well within their grasp.
Cotter, who moved from French club side Clermont to take over as Scotland coach last year, is only too aware that his side face a daunting task, even against a French side still licking their wounds from the World Cup mauling they endured at the hands of the All Blacks.
Defensive plan
“The win in Rome was a reward for the hard work the players have put in to the championship so far, but the hard work never stops,” he said.
“They [France] are confrontational and will try to keep the ball alive, so we will have to put in a great defensive performance.
They also have the ability to channel their power through their set-piece, though that is a challenge our pack in particular are relishing, having put in some impressive performances of their own so far.”
France’s chance
A win over Scotland, however, would keep alive French hopes of winning the tournament with England due in Paris for next weekend’s finale.
The Wales loss has brought a raft of significant changes with notably attack-minded fly-half Francois Trinh-Duc brought in for the misfiring Jules Plisson, the return of the incisive Wesley Fofana on the wing and a recall for Scott Spedding at full-back.
It all adds up to a free-flowing backline bent on attack in contrast to the more conservative systems employed by Noves’ predecessor Philippe Saint-Andre and, with the Scots also keen on running the ball, it could produce a spectacular match.
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