Six Nations 2019
Venue: Stade de France
Kick-off: 14.15 GMT, Saturday February 23
The opening fixture of the third weekend of 2019 Six Nations action comes from Paris, where both France and Scotland will be hoping to produce a reaction after disappointing defeats to World Cuo pool-mates.
Les Bleus are in disarray after a dismal start to the competition, with that impressive opening 40 minutes against Wales on opening night now feeling like nothing but a distant memory.
Jacques Brunel's side self-destructed en route to frittering away a 16-point lead before travelling to Twickenham, where they suffered their heaviest loss to England since 1911.
After fielding the heaviest forward pack in rugby union history and a fleet-footed backline the week before, France - whose selection policy is notoriously inconsistent - almost seemed to reverse their gameplan in south west London and appeared utterly abject in all areas as they allowed six tries and were exposed by a clever kicking game.
Scotland, meanwhile, began this year's tournament with a bonus-point win over Italy but returning to Murrayfield were second best to an Ireland team still smarting from that shock dismantling by England.
The hosts largely dominated time of possession during a frantic first half despite the loss of key man Stuart Hogg, but made too many sloppy mistakes thereafter as they were beaten 22-13.
Team news and line-ups
Brunel has opted for a young and talented but inexperienced half-back pairing for round three, with Antoine Dupont (22) and Romain Ntamack (19) replacing Morgan Parra and Camille Lopez, who do not even make the bench.
There is more of a balanced look to the whole backline after France strangely opted for two centres on the flanks and a wing at 15 against England, with 23-year-old Thomas Ramos earning a maiden start as a full-back.
Yoann Huget is back out wide and Gael Fickou pushed inside alongside Mathieu Bastareaud, with Geoffrey Doumayrou dropping out altogether and Wesley Fofana denied a Stade de France send-off before he retires from international rugby after the World Cup.
Wenceslas Lauret also returns at blindside flanker in place of Yacouba Camara.
France XV: Ramos; Penaud, Bastareaud, Fickou, Huget; Ntamack, Dupont; Poirot, Guirado (c), Bamba; Vahaamahina, Lambey; Lauret, Iturria, Picamoles
Replacements: Chat, Falgoux, Aldegheri, Willemse, Alldritt, Serin, Belleau, Medard
Gregor Townsend makes four changes to the team beaten by Ireland, with the influential duo of Hogg (shoulder) and Finn Russell replaced by Blair Kinghorn - who notched a hat-trick against Italy - and Glasgow's Peter Horne.
Centre Nick Grigg comes in for Huw Jones, who will miss the remainder of the Six Nations with a knee injury. In the back row, Magnus Bradbury takes the place of the injured Ryan Wilson.
Scotland XV: Kinghorn; Seymour, Grigg, Johnson, Maitland; Horne, Laidlaw (c); Berghan, McInally, Dell; Gray, Gilchrist; Bradbury, Ritchie, Strauss
Replacements: Brown, Allan, Fagerson, Toolis, Graham, Price, Hastings, Graham
Score prediction: France 21-17 Scotland
It is hard to overstate just how shambolic France looked at Twickenham, but their team for this game seems to promise more balance with a trio of youngsters eager to impress.
The visitors have a reputation for collapsing away from Murrayfield, but probably will have felt that they would not have a better chance to end their 20-year Paris hoodoo.
However, the loss of Russell - on top of the injuries to Hogg, Jones, Wilson and so many others - is enormous and may well scupper their hopes of a second win this month.
Betting tips via Betfair | UK users only | Subject to change
Match odds
- France to win: 8/11
- Draw: 18/1
- Scotland to win: 6/5
Click here to find the latest match odds and place a bet.
TV channel and live stream, and online coverage
ITV and the BBC are sharing broadcasting rights for the Six Nations for the third successive year, with the BBC hosting France vs Scotland on BBC One and via their online iPlayer.
You can also follow all the action with Standard Sport's LIVE blog.
Head to Head record and history (h2h)
France have won 53 of 92 meetings between these two nations, with Scotland lagging behind on 36 triumphs. There have been three draws.
Scotland have beaten Les Bleus twice at Murrayfield in the last three years, but are without a victory on French soil since 1999.
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