Scotland vs. France
Sunday, 15:00 GMT
The hosts secured a morale-boosting victory a fortnight ago, their first Six Nations win in more than two years, and will be keen to prove they are moving in the right direction with a first win over France for a decade. Les Bleus arrive in Scotland on the back of a first defeat under Guy Noves, and a damaging one at that. However, they could finish the weekend back in contention for the Championship, meaning victory in Edinburgh is a must for Noves and his players.
Team news
David Denton has failed to recover from a groin injury picked up ahead of the win over Italy, meaning Josh Strauss comes into the Scotland back row. Coach Vern Cotter has made just one other change to his starting XV with Alex Dunbar partnering Duncan Taylor in the centres, stating that the incoming pair's physicality could be key.
Following an insipid performance against Wales in Cardiff Noves has made six changes to his France side. Francois Trinh-Duc, Wesley Fofana, Gael Fickou, Scott Spedding, Yoann Maestri and Yacouba Camara have all come in, to give Les Bleus' starting XV a more experienced look.
Scotland: Hogg, Seymour, Taylor, Dunbar, Visser, Russell, Laidlaw (captain); Dickinson, Ford, Nel, Richie Gray, Jonny Gray, Barclay, Hardie, Strauss
Replacements: McInally, Sutherland, Low, Swinson, Wilson, Hidalgo-Clyne, Horne, Lamont
France: Spedding, Fofana, Fickou, Mermoz, Vakatawa, Trinh-Duc, Machenaud; Poirot, Guirado, Slimani, Flanquart, Maestri, Lauret, Camara, Chouly
Replacements: Chat, Atonio, Pelo, Vahaamahina, Goujon, Bezy, Plisson, Medard
Key head-to-head
Yoann Maestri has been restored to the France side and his battle with the Gray brothers could have a huge bearing on the contest. Both Jonny and Richie are potent weapons at the lineout, while they are also tireless in defence and combined for 37 tackles in the win over Italy. Maestri is an adept lineout target too, and will need to draw on all of his experience as he bids to give his team the upper hand.
Key stats
*Scotland have not beaten France since February 2006. Sean Lamont, who scored twice in that game, is the only survivor of that game in Cotter's squad.
*The last five matches between the two sides have been decided by seven points or less, with Scotland losing by just two points at Murrayfield two years ago.
*Scotland captain Greig Laidlaw will win his 50th cap when he leads the teams out in Edinburgh.
Form guide
Scotland - WLLLW
France - LLWWL
Odds
This should be a tight contest, and that has been reflected with the bookmakers. Unibet have made Scotland slight favourites to record back-to-back championship victories for the first time since 2013, pricing them at 81/100. France are evens with the same firm to continue their decade of dominance in the fixture.
Fantasy players to watch
John Hardie and Wesley Fofana. New Zealand-born flanker Hardie has quickly become an integral cog in Cotter's side and his high tackle count and committed displays make him a must-pick for fantasy coaches too. Fofana returns on the wing for France, where he can be relied on to put his pace and trickery to good use.
Prediction
Scotland's victory over Italy had many pundits instantly installing them as favourites to beat France. Les Bleus' performance in Cardiff undoubtedly contributed to that, and it does seem as though the momentum is with Cotter's side. There were wobbles in Rome, though, and the true test will come if the men in dark blue have a lead to defend going into the final stages. France will fancy themselves if they are within touching distance then, but expect Scotland to hold them off.