Scotland will look to continue their sizzling start to the 2023 Six Nations when they take on reigning champions France in Paris on Sunday.
Les Bleus played out a classic in Dublin in round two, but their loss to Ireland meant their hopes of grabbing two consecutive Grand Slams were quashed. Scotland, meanwhile, are fresh off the back of a hugely impressive performance against an under-performing Wales in Murrayfield, which came a week after their third consecutive Six Nations win over England.
The last time France and Scotland faced off in across the English Channel, Scotland secured a huge victory in the dying moments of the match, with Duhan van der Merwe crossing after 84 minutes despite a Finn Russell red card. This result also secured Wales the 2021 Six Nations.
Here's everything you need to know about Sunday's third-round Six Nations clash:
What time is France v Scotland kick-off?
France v Scotland kicks off at 3pm on Sunday, February 26, at Stade de France in Paris.
What TV channel is France v Scotland on? What about live streaming?
France v Scotland will be broadcast live on ITV1 and can be live streamed via the ITVX app.
What are the team line-ups?
France have made just one change for round three. With Uini Atonio being suspended, Mohamed Haouas slots in in the front row to link up with Cyril Baille and Julien Marchand.
Scotland boss Gregor Townsend has also made just one change, as Hamish Watson makes his return in the back row in place of Luke Crosbie.
France: 15. Thomas Ramos, 14. Damian Penaud, 13. Gaël Fickou, 12. Yoram Moefana, 11. Ethan Dumortier, 10. Romain Ntamack, 9. Antoine Dupont (capt), 1. Cyril Baille, 2. Julien Marchand, 3. Mohamed Haouas, 4. Thibaud Flament, 5. Paul Willemse, 6. Anthony Jelonch, 7. Charles Ollivon, 8. Grégory Alldritt.
Replacements: 16. Gaëtan Barlot, 17. Reda Wardi, 18. Sipili Falatea, 19. Romain Taofifenua, 20. François Cros, 21. Sekou Macalou, 22. Baptiste Couilloud, 23. Matthieu Jalibert.
Scotland: 15. Stuart Hogg, 14. Kyle Steyn, 13. Huw Jones, 12. Sione Tuipulotu, 11. Duhan van der Merwe, 10. Finn Russell, 9. Ben White, 1. Pierre Schoeman, 2. George Turner, 3. Zander Fagerson, 4. Richie Gray, 5. Grant Gilchrist, 6. Jamie Ritchie (capt), 7. Hamish Watson, 8. Matt Fagerson.
Replacements: 16. Fraser Brown, 17. Jamie Bhatti, 18. WP Nel, 19. Jonny Gray, 20. Sam Skinner, 21. Jack Dempsey, 22. Ali Price, 23. Blair Kinghorn.
Who is the France v Scotland referee?
Referee: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia)
Assistant referees: Karl Dickson (England) and Andrea Piardi (Italy)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)
What have the coaches said?
France head coach Fabien Galthie, on bouncing back from the defeat to Ireland: "We moved to the world number one. Until the 72nd minute, we were six points (away). So, able to win the match. Both teams played world-class rugby. At this level, we are reaching our limits. But at key moments, between the 40th and 60th minute, when we could take the score, the Irish were able to be even stronger.
"We had highlights that we were unable to achieve because the Irish were there. We have to analyse this defeat and find out how it will give us the keys to being better: it's the physical, the technique and the strategy. We have fallen, we must get up. It's interesting how men function in defeat."
Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend: "We feel the same way this week. I think the players realise what a big test this is going to be, playing one of the best teams in the world on their home patch, at a venue we haven’t had much success (at) over the past 100 years. It’s going to be a tough challenge but we can match that challenge. We can improve from the Wales game. Going into a game like this on the back of wins is a much better place to be than if you’re coming off the back of defeats.
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