France continue their quest for a first Six nations title since 2010 when they travel to BTS Murrayfield to take on a hurting Scottish outfit on Saturday.
26 February 2022
16:15
BTS Murrayfield – Edinburgh
Scotland 24/10 | Draw 25/1 | France 1/3
Handicap
Scotland (+7.5) 9/10 | France (-7.5) 9/10
Some are calling this current French team the best international side on the planet. And they could be right, you know.
Few teams boast as much depth, tactical awareness and overall quality as Fabian Galthie’s men, and their recent wins over New Zealand and Ireland have led to many believing they are finally living up to their world class potential.
They’re certainly favourites for a Grand Slam this season, and seem to be hitting their stride at just the right time just over a year out from the World Cup.
If Scotland don’t shape up, they could be in trouble. Their round two loss to a depleted Wales in Cardiff was met with enormous disappointment by fans of Gregor Townsend’s team, who once again let slip the chance to gain a proper stranglehold in the competition.
Injuries have already taken their toll during their first two matches, with Jamie Ritchie, Jonny Gray, Rory Sutherland Cam Redpath and Scott Cummings all having returned to their clubs to recuperate.
Given the physical nature of this French team, and judging by the way Scotland were bullied by the Springboks in November, the Scots’ pack cannot afford to take a step back here. It’ll be tickets if they let Dupont et al. win the gainline.
Verdict: Scotland (+7.5) 9/10
With Murrayfield behind them, and considering they’ve won three of the last four head-to-heads, the hosts should manage to stay within the cap against this mighty French juggernaut.
