Rugby World Cup warm-up: France v Scotland betting preview, free tip, TV details

TV: Premier Sports 1, 8pm Saturday

It's hard enough knowing which France team will turn up for a competitive match, so when it comes to a World Cup warm-up in Nice it's a real head-scratcher.

Victory over Scotland in the Six Nations this year is one of very few highlights for Les Bleus over the last 12 months, and with two new caps in the line-up plus another two on the bench the hosts look worth opposing.

But while Scotland look strong in most areas, fly-half Finn Russell is a notable absentee. Adam Hastings takes the number ten shirt outside Glasgow teammate Ali Price. Price's inclusion ahead of Greig Laidlaw is less of a concern after Laidlaw was left out for Scotland's final Six Nations match against England, but Russell is a class act and a real galvaniser on the pitch.

Gregor Townsend and his Scotland team should have restored some confidence after fighting back from 31-7 down in that clash with England to lead 38-31 before a late try forced them to settle for a draw.

Both sides are capable of free-flowing back moves but can also be slow into their stride and while odds of 11-5 about the Scots look big, a safer move is to back them with an eight-point start.

Recommendation
Scotland +8
1pt 10-11 Hills

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