Scotland vs France, Six Nations 2024: Kick-off time, TV channel, team news, lineups, venue, odds today
Scotland today host France in a huge clash to kick off the Six Nations second round.
Les Bleus need to make amends for a bruising 38-17 demolition by Ireland in Marseille on the opening night of the tournament, that has already put the defending Grand Slam champions in pole position to claim another title.
It was Ireland’s biggest-ever win in France, with tries from Damian Penaud and Paul Gabrillagues keeping things close at times, but Fabien Galthie’s side - missing the inspirational Antoine Dupont- were ultimately blown away as they could not cope with 14 men following the first-half sending off of lock Paul Willemse for two yellow cards for hits to the head.
France will be desperate to keep their title hopes alive this afternoon, but face a tough test away against an unpredictable Scotland team that displayed their Jekyll and Hyde nature with a true game of two halves against Wales.
Gregor Townsend’s men raced into an impressive 27-0 lead as they hunted a first win in Cardiff since 2002, getting a brace of tries from Duhan van der Merwe and 12 points from Finn Russell plus another try from prop Pierre Schoeman.
However, what followed was a hugely concerning collapse that saw a young Welsh team hit back after the break through four tries from James Botham, Rio Dyer, Aaron Wainwright and Alex Mann, with Scotland escaping with a one-point win at the Principality Stadium as the hosts’ epic comeback fell agonisingly just short.
Scotland vs France date, kick-off time and venue
Scotland vs France takes place today, Saturday February 10, 2024 at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh, home of Scottish rugby.
The match will kick off at 2:15pm GMT.
How to watch Scotland vs France
TV channel: In the UK, Scotland vs France is being shown live and free-to-air on BBC One, with coverage beginning at 1:15pm.
Live stream: The action can also be viewed live and for free online via the BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport website.
Scotland vs France team news
France have made two changes from their sobering loss to Ireland, with Cameron Woki replacing the banned Willemse in the second row, taking on the No4 shirt as Gabrillagues shifts to five.
The only other alteration from Galthie is out on the wing, where Yoram Moefana makes way for young Louis Bielle-Biarrey.
On the bench, the injured Reda Wardi drops out, leading to a promotion for Sebastien Taofifenua.
Willemse’s suspension also opens up a place in the squad for Alexandre Roumat, the uncapped Toulouse flanker who was called up as a late replacement for the injured Anthony Jelonch.
Scotland have lost both Luke Crosbie and Richie Gray for the rest of the tournament with injuries sustained against Wales.
There are three changes to the starting lineup from Townsend, with Rory Darge - named as Scottish co-captain for the Six Nations along with Finn Russell - returning in the back row along with Jack Dempsey, with Crosbie dropping out hurt and no Jamie Ritchie even in the squad.
Grant Gilchrist comes into the second row in place of Gray, while Saracens flanker Andy Christie comes onto the bench.
Scotland vs France lineups
Scotland XV: Rowe; Steyn, H Jones, Tuipulotu, Van der Merwe; Russell (co-C), White; Schoeman, Turner, Z Fagerson; Gilchrist, Cummings; M Fagerson, Darge (co-C), Dempsey
Replacements: Ashman, Hepburn, Millar-Mills, Skinner, Christie, G Horne, Healy, Redpath
France XV: Ramos; Penaud, Fickou, Danty, Bielle-Biarrey; Jalibert, Lucu; Baille, Mauvaka, Atonio; Woki, Gabrillagues; Cros, Ollivon, Alldritt (c)
Replacements: Marchand, S Taofifenua, Aldegheri, Tuilagi, Roumat, Boudehent, Le Garrec, Moefana
Scotland vs France head to head (h2h) history and results
This game was an absolute thriller in Paris last year, with both sides having a man sent off inside the first 10 minutes and Scotland producing a rousing comeback before Gael Fickou’s last-gasp try secured a 32-21 bonus-point win for France.
The two sides went on to split a pair of World Cup warm-up friendlies in the summer.
Scotland wins: 40
France wins: 59
Draws: 3
Scotland vs France prediction
Saturday’s result could depend on which Scotland team decides to show up.
Will it be the fluent, pacy and exciting side that quickly put Wales in a 27-0 hole in Cardiff in round one, or the team that later came within a whisker of blowing that huge lead with an almighty second-half wobble?
France will be wounded and out to quickly banish memories of that Ireland loss, and we fancy them to come out on top in another entertaining tussle.
France to win, by 10 points.
Scotland vs France match odds
Scotland to win: 6/4
France to win: 4/7
Draw: 19/1
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).
