Scotland v France predictions: Fully focused France to maintain perfect record

Free rugby tips, best bets and analysis for Scotland v France in the Six Nations on Saturday.

Where to watch

BBC1, 2pm Saturday

Best bet

France to win by one to 12 points
2pts 8-5 Paddy Power

Match preview

Just two rounds in to the Six Nations, France are the only team with two wins to their name but they will be aware of their record of four defeats in their last six meetings with Scotland.

The most recent defeat will be the most painful for Les Bleus, who went into their final match of last year’s tournament needing a big bonus-point win at home, yet despite leading in the final ten minutes against 14 men they shipped a last-gasp try to lose 27-23.

It was a horrific ending to a disappointing show and there’s no doubt the French players have had the lesson of that defeat drilled into them, not least by defence coach Shaun Edwards.

Edwards was quick to point out after last week’s victory over Ireland that Les Bleus had conceded three points in the last quarter of that match, whereas they conceded no points in the second half against Italy prior to that and kept New Zealand scoreless in the final 20 of their clash in the autumn.

It underlines just how focused this new France side are on getting away from their image of never nailing it down, and the evidence over the last 12 months is that they can do just that.

Scotland have changed as a team over a longer term, and after an opening victory over England they headed to Wales as favourites in round two, only to be edged out by three points in a hard-fought encounter.

When they have looked good they've looked very good, and they scored the opening try in both matches - on both occasions inside the first 20 minutes - and they also scored the first try in last year's Paris encounter on 15 minutes.

But they ended up labouring last week against a spirited Welsh defence, and while they deserved their win over England, they capitalised on English mistakes at key times.

The Scots will have to find something more physically if they are to stop France getting on the front foot, and Les Bleus don't look ready to give any ground this year. A solid if not spectacular away win looks the best bet.

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