Gregor Townsend’s side are brimming with confidence after opening the competition with back-to-back wins for the first time since 1996, following another breathless Calcutta Cup success over England at Twickenham with a 35-7 destruction of crisis-plagued Wales at Murrayfield in which they rebelled in the second half.
But Scotland face a significant quality improvement this weekend as they visit Paris, where France will be desperate to bounce back after seeing their dreams of successive Grand Slams ended in a thrilling 32-19 defeat to the incredible Ireland in Dublin in round two.
Les Bleus, who were also pushed close to Italy on the opening weekend, are eager to take a brutal win to reiterate their credentials before the pressures of a home Rugby The World Cup is coming up in the fall.
France vs Scotland date, time and venue
France vs Scotland conclude round three of the 2023 Six Nations, after embattled Wales England and Ireland traveled to Italy the day before.
The game is scheduled for today, Sunday 26 February at 15:00 GMT Stade de France in Paris.
How to watch France vs Scotland
TV channel: In the UK, France vs Scotland is broadcast live and free on ITV1, broadcasting from 2:15pm.
Live stream: Fans can also watch the game live online via the ITVX app and the ITV website.
Live blog: Sunday’s game can be followed via Standard sports special LIVE blog.
Team news France vs Scotland
Stuart Hogg is fit for Scotland after an early head injury against Wales saw Blair Kinghorn shine off the bench, while Hamish Watson starts to record his opening minutes of the tournament in the back row with Luke Crosbie out.
Watson for Crosbie is Townsend’s only change in the starting team that beat Wales, although well-known campaigners like Ali Price and Sam Skinner are back on the bench, with no room at all for Lions center Chris Harris on the team. George Horne also falls out as the Scots turn to a 6-2 bench split.
Scott Cummings, Simon Berghan and Stafford McDowall have all been released to play for Glasgow Warriors against the Lions this weekend, although Saracens flanker Andy Christie is now back with the group from injury.
Hamish Watson will earn his first Six Nations minutes for Scotland in Paris
/ FATHERFor France, powerful center Jonathan Danty is fit again after a knee injury and playing 40 minutes for La Rochelle in the Top 14 last weekend.
However, he is not yet in the matchday squad, with Fabien Galthie’s only change from Dublin coming in with Mohamed Haouas replacing Uini Atonio at tighthead prop, with the latter cited and banned for his high tackle on Irish hooker Rob Herring. Sipili Falatea of Bordeaux remains on the bench.
Haouas certainly has a past against Scotland, having been sent off three years ago for punching Jamie Ritchie during a fiery affair at Murrayfield.
Lineups France vs Scotland
France XV: Ramos; Penaud, Fickou, Moefana, Dumortier; Ntamack, Dupont (c); Baille, Koopman, Haouas; Flament, Willemse; Jelonch, Ollivon, Alldritt.
Replacements: Barlot, Ward, Falatea, Taofifenua, Cross, Macalou, Couilloud, Jalibert.
Scotland XV: Hogg, Steyn, Jones, Tuipulotu, Van der Merwe; Russell, White; Schoeman, Turner, Z Fagerson, R Gray, Gilchrist, Ritchie (c), Watson, M Fagerson
Replacements: Brown, Bhatti, Nel, J Gray, Skinner, Dempsey, Price, Kinghorn
France vs Scotland head to head (h2h) history and results
Scotland lost 10 games in a row to France between 2007 and 2015, but have had more success in recent years.
A 27-23 win on their final visit to Paris in 2021, secured by Duhan van der Merwe’s last-ditch effort, was their first victory in the French capital since 1999.
Scotland also beat France three times at Murrayfield in 2018, 2019 and 2020, although France crushedly won 36-17 in Glasgow 12 months ago on their way to their first Grand Slam since 2010.
France wins: 57
Scotland wins: 39
Pulls: 3
France vs Scotland Prediction
This is an intriguing clash to headline the third round of the Six Nations.
Scotland have made their best start for 27 years in a flurry of tries and impressive attacking rugby, with threats all over the pitch and maverick playmaker Finn Russell – who plies his club trade in France with Racing 92 – expertly pulling the strings from fly-half .
But there were warning signs in that first half against Wales that they still have certain defensive vulnerabilities that are sure to be exploited by better teams, and a trip to Paris is obviously a huge step up in class.
Scotland are flying… but probably won’t have enough to continue their winning run in Paris
/ Getty ImagesFrance will be in pain after being beaten by Ireland in one of the greatest games you will ever see and Galthie will demand an immediate response from Antoine Dupont and co.
Les Bleus win, but expect Scotland to put up quite a fight ahead of Ireland’s visit to Murrayfield in two weeks.
France wins by 10 points.
Odds France vs Scotland
France wins: 3/10
Scotland win: 11/4
Draw: 22/1
Odds via Betfair (subject to change).