France v Scotland - teams and prediction
ROUND FIVE PREVIEW: A France side brimming with confidence host Scotland on Saturday with a second Six Nations title of head coach Fabien Galthie's rollercoaster tenure on the line.
A victory with four tries or more at a sold-out Stade de France would guarantee Les Bleus the trophy three years on from winning a Grand Slam.
The successes would fall among a World Cup failure, Six Nations near misses and countless off-the-field scandals.
Superstar scrumhalf Antoine Dupont will be sidelined from the game due to a serious knee injury he suffered in last weekend's rampant win over Ireland, having had an influential presence during France's opening four games of the competition.
Galthie said France were delighted to have their destiny in their hands at home.
"It's our supreme objective, it's what we wanted and succeeded in doing," he told reporters.
"It's an ambition that is becoming a reality, the goal."
If France fails to win, then second-placed England and reigning champions Ireland in third also have a chance of lifting the trophy.
For Gregor Townsend's Scotland to claim the title for the first time since 1999, they have to win in the French capital for just a second time in 26 years and surpass Les Bleus' points difference in the standings, which is 106 against their three.
"We've not talked about that with the players," Townsend told reporters.
"It's one of the biggest challenges, to go to Stade de France and win.
"We know that it's been very tough for us over the decades.
"This is going to be even more of a challenge, just because of the form that France are showing," he added.
Skipper Dupont's absence allows Maxime Lucu to start a Test for just an 11th time. Alongside centre Gael Fickou, they are just two changes from the 42-27 demolition in Dublin.
"There are knee injuries that hurt, and some knee injuries that hurt a lot, his injury hurts," Galthie said of Dupont's cruciate ligament tear.
"His battle right now is to deal with the pain. Our doctors are trying to control that pain.
"He'll be with us to watch the game if his pain allows," the former France captain added.
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'Vigilant'
Townsend has also made two alterations to his starting line-up, after last weekend's nervy win over Wales when Scotland led by 20 points at half-time before holding off a late comeback to secure victory.
Lock Gregor Brown and No 8 Matt Fagerson are the new faces for Scotland.
"There was a disappointing feeling from us as players, that Wales scored the last try or Wales had come back in the second half, I get it," Townsend said.
"Let's not forget some of the rugby the players have played in that first 50 minutes was outstanding," the former Scotland flyhalf added.
Galthie's spell in charge has been littered with statement wins and also disappointing losses.
The World Cup defeat to South Africa in 2023 and being denied the Six Nations title two years earlier due to a Scotland victory in the final game of that tournament are blotches on Galthie's record as boss.
"We have to be vigilant," Galthie said.
"I'm always on alert, I always have my hazard lights on. I never let that up with the players.
"You can't be happy with what you've done, we have to have a mentality of taking a next step up," he added.
Players to watch
For France: Scrumhalf Maxime Lucu will be in the spotlight as he steps into the vacancy created by injury-enforced absence of Antoine Dupont. Lucu, 32, is one of two changes from last Saturday's win in Dublin. The expierenced Gael Fickou replaces Pierre-Louis Barassi in midfield to partner Yoram Moefana. Barassi suffered a head injury in the Ireland win after superstar captain Dupont had sustained a serious knee issue, ruling him out for at least six months. Fickou, 30, will join former centre Philippe Sella as France's most capped player in the tournament when he makes his 50th competition appearance. No.8 Gregory Alldritt leads the side, as he did in the Irish capital following Dupont's injury. La Rochelle's Alldritt has started all of Les Bleus' games this campaign having been dropped for November's win over Argentina after a string of below-par performances for club and country. On the substitues' bench, Galthie has kept his choice of seven forwards and one back, with Le Garrec coming in for Lucu.
For Scotland: Gregor Brown will make his first Six Nations start for Scotland, after the Glasgow lock was included for their tournament finale. The 23-year-old, who made his debut against Canada in Ottawa last year and has since won eight caps, takes over in the second row from the benched Jonny Gray. In the only other change to the starting side, Matt Fagerson comes in at No.8 after Jack Dempsey was ruled out with a hamstring injury. Co-captain and flank Rory Darge has been passed fit following the hip problem that forced him off during last weekend's win over Wales. Edinburgh forwards Marshall Sykes and Ben Muncaster could feature in the Six Nations for the first time after being named on a bench where Glasgow backs Kyle Rowe and George Horne are no longer involved.
Prediction
@rugby365com: France by 15 points
Teams
France: 15 Thomas Ramos, 14 Damia Penaud, 13 Gael Fickou, 12 Yoram Moefana, 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10 Romain Ntamack, 9 Maxime Lucu, 8 Gregory Alldritt (captain), 7 Paul Boudehent, 6 Francois Cros, 5 Mickael Guillard, 4 Thibaud Flament, 3 Uini Atonio, 2 Peato Mauvaka, 1 Jean-Baptiste Gros.
Replacements: 16 Julien Marchand, 17 Cyril Baille, 18 Dorian Aldegheri, 19 Hugo Auradou, 20 Emmanuel Meafou, 21 Oscar Jegou, 22 Anthony Jelonch, 23 Nolann Le Garrec.
Scotland: 15 Blair Kinghorn, 14 Darcy Graham, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Tom Jordan, 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Finn Russell (co-captain), 9 Ben White, 8 Matt Fagerson, 7 Rory Darge (co-captain), 6 Jamie Ritchie, 5 Grant Gilchrist, 4 Gregor Brown, 3 Zander Fagerson, 2 Dave Cherry, 1 Pierre Schoeman.
Replacements: 16 Ewan Ashman, 17 Rory Sutherland, 18 Will Hurd, 19 Jonny Gray, 20 Marshall Sykes, 21 Ben Muncaster, 22 Jamie Dobie, 23 Stafford McDowall
Date: Saturday, March 15
Venue: Stade de France, Saint-Denis
Kick-off: 21.00 (20.00 UK time; 20.00 GMT)
Expected weather: Cloudy and chilly, with wind gusts of 39 km/h. There is a 25 percent chance of precipitation. High of 9°C and low of 1°C.
Referee: Matthew Carley (England)
Assistant referees: Karl Dickson (England), Eoghan Cross (Ireland)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
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