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Tom Coleman

What time is Scotland v France kick-off and what TV channel is it on?

Scotland face a stern test against France this weekend as they bid to bounce back from their defeat in Cardiff.

France arrive at Murrayfield for Saturday's early kick-off slot as the hot favourites for this year's tournament title, and will be full of confidence following an impressive 30-24 win over Ireland last time out.

Here's everything you need to know about the clash:

What time is Scotland v France kick-off?

Scotland v France kicks of at 2.15pm on Saturday, February 26, at Murrayfield, Edinburgh.

What TV channel is Scotland v France on? What about live streaming?

Scotland v France will be broadcast live on BBC One, with coverage starting at 1.25pm.

Viewers will also be able to stream all the action via the BBC Sport website or BBC iPlayer.

You can also follow live Scotland v France match updates via WalesOnline.

What's the Scotland v France team news?

Scotland have been dealt a late blow with flanker Hamish Watson being ruled out after returning a positive Covid test.

Edinburgh back-row Nick Haining moves into the starting XV and will play on the blindside, with Rory Darge switching to openside.

Saracens’ Andy Christie comes into the matchday 23 and will make his Scotland debut if he comes off the bench.

Two members of the Scotland backroom team have also tested positive for Covid and will isolate as per Scottish Government guidelines.

Elsewhere, Gregor Townsend has drafted in Exeter Chiefs star Sam Skinner, who comes in for injured club team-mate Jonny Gray, to partner Grant Gilchrist.

Pierre Schoeman and Stuart McInally retain their places in the front-row, while Zander Ferguson returns to the starting line-up.

Sione Tuipulotu is starting for the second consecutive game at inside centre alongside Gloucester's Chris Harris in midfield.

Worcester Warriors’ Duhan van der Merwe continues on the left wing with Edinburgh’s Darcy Graham occupying the right.

Rory Darge is handed his first start following his debut off the bench at the Principality Stadium last time out.

Meanwhile, France will be without Toulon winger Gabin Villiere, who notched up a hat-trick against Italy during the opening weekend of the Six Nations, due to a sinus fracture.

Mathieu Jalibert is nursing a thigh complaint, but centre Jonathan Danty is fit again after overcoming an ankle issue, and is set to ling up alongside Gael Fickou in midfield.

Scotland: 15. Stuart Hogg (capt), 14. Darcy Graham, 13. Chris Harris, 12. Sione Tuipulotu, 11. Duhan van der Merwe, 10. Finn Russell, 9. Ali Price, 1. Pierre Schoeman, 2. Stuart McInally, 3. Zander Fagerson, 4. Sam Skinner, 5. Grant Gilchrist, 6. Nick Haining, 7. Rory Darge, 8. Magnus Bradbury.

Replacements: 16. George Turner, 17. Oli Kebble, 18. WP Nel, 19. Jamie Hodgson, 20. Andy Christie, 21. Ben White, 22. Blair Kinghorn, 23. Mark Bennett.

France: 15. Melvyn Jaminet, 14. Damian Penaud, 13. Gaël Fickou, 12. Jonathan Danty, 11. Yoram Moefana, 10. Romain Ntamack, 9. Antoine Dupont; 1. Cyril Baille, 2. Julien Marchand, 3. Uini Atonio, 4. Cameron Woki, 5. Paul Willemse, 6. François Cros, 7. Anthony Jelonch, 8. Grégory Alldritt.

Replacements: 16. Pesto Mauvaka, 17. Jean-Baptiste Gros, 18. Demba Bamba, 19. Romain Taofifenua, 20. Thibaud Flament, 21. Dylan Cretin, 22. Maxime Lucu, 23. Thomas Ramos.

Who is the Scotland v France referee?

Referee: Karl Dickson (England)

Assistant Referee 1: Luke Pearce (England)

Assistant Referee 2: Chris Busby (Ireland)

TMO: Tom Foley (England)

What have the coaches said?

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend: "They're one of the top two or three teams in the world right now. They've got a huge pack, momentum behind them, results behind them, so it's a great challenge for us.

"They've got their full squad this week and lots of confidence, they rested up last week too. They'll be raring to go. But I've seen our group rise to this challenge in the past and I'm sure we'll do that again."

France head coach Fabien Galthie: “Murrayfield is always extraordinary and it’s no coincidence that 20,000 French fans will be going there.

“We’ve been preparing for that this week, whether it’s physically, strategically, tactically or psychologically. We’re looking for optimal preparation and we’re not far off.”

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