Six Nations: Scotland V France: The Battle of the Bonkers Coaches

  Even if the Mad Hatter was put in charge of a rugby team, he would probably bring more decipherable strategy and reasoned selection than the coaches of the two teams meeting in Edinburgh this Saturday. In fact, seldom has there been a match where there has been more focus on the men off the pitch than those playing on it, but the curious selection policies of both Scott Johnson and Philippe Saint-Andre mean that both coaches have come under intense media scrutiny in the build up to this game.

  The game takes place within a context that few would have thought possible several weeks ago; France, having been talked up as potential favourites, have been all but written-off by most after a dismal capitulation against Wales, whilst Scotland, so hopeful after placing 3^rd in 2013, had scored only 6 points all championship before a spirited last-gasp victory over Italy, and are now hunting a second European scalp in an attempt to salvage something from this Six Nations. When the Gallic Rooster takes to the field against the Gaelic Thistle of Scotland on Saturday, both teams will be desperate for a result.

  Despite that ignominious loss in Cardiff two weeks ago, France can still win the Six Nations, a fact that Saint-Andre will no doubt have reminded his squad of. Whilst many pundits have discarded France from their thoughts, this is Les Bleus we’re talking about, and if history has taught us anything, it is that this is a side that can be as dangerous one week as they were inept the last. Should France manage a win at Murrayfield, then next week’s final showdown in Paris could still be the tournament decider, a thought that is both bizarre and scintillating.

Alex Dunbar will be hoping to repeat his two-try haul against Italy

  For that to happen though, there is a thorny Scottish hurdle to be jumped, and the French could not be in worse shape to face it. A back-row that was already weakened by the loss of Thierry Dusautoir before the tournament even began has been completely remodelled, with Yannick Nyanga forced out through injury and Louis Picamoles dropped for disrespecting the referee in Cardiff, a brave decision by Saint-Andre considering the circumstances. Wesley Fofana is also missing from the midfield, meaning that Les Bleus will be without three of their game-winning players for this critical encounter.

  Other changes, both forced and strategic, have been made; Brice Mach comes in for the injured Dimitri Szarzewski, with Alexandre Lapandry, Maxime Machenaud and Maxime Medard all coming into the side as Saint-Andre’s selection roulette wheel continues to spin. So many changes can only be damaging for a team whose confidence already appears to be shattered.

  Scott Johnson is another man who has been playing Russian roulette with a rugby ball; Kelly Brown, so recently jettisoned from the helm and squad altogether, returns to reclaim his starting place and captain’s armband, apparently because, amongst other reasons, his style of play will suit the Murrayfield turf…

  David Denton is also restored to the starting line-up, with Johnnie Beattie accommodatingly moving over to 6. Whilst these changes will doubtless affect the balance of the back-row, Denton has been one of Scotland’s stand-out players this Spring, and his inclusion indicates that Scotland will be hoping to take advantage of France’s weakness in this area.

  Geoff Cross coming into the front-row is the only other change in this Scotland side – if such consistency of selection can be sustained, then there is hope that the squad can begin to develop. For all of Scott Johnson’s talk of finding out about players and testing combinations, there is only so much time that can be given over to experimentation, especially when said experiments continue to blow up in the scientist’s face.

Prediction:

  It’s hard to know which way to go with these two teams; both are as unpredictable and frustrating as the other, showing equal amounts of promise and panic in their play. However, Scotland have been showing signs of improvement, whilst France seem to be caught in something of a downward spiral, a situation that key omissions won’t have aided. Add into this mix the Murrayfield crowd, and I believe that, so long as they can get off to a good start, Scotland will be able to see the game out, breaking apart France’s championship hopes as they salvage their own rugby reputation. Scotland to win by 7 points.

SQUADS:

Scotland: 15-Stuart Hogg, 14-Tommy Seymour, 13-Alex Dunbar, 12-Matt Scott, 11-Sean Lamont, 10-Duncan Weir, 9-Greig Laidlaw; 1-Ryan Grant, 2-Scott Lawson, 3-Geoff Cross, 4-Richie Gray, 5-Jim Hamilton, 6-Johnnie Beattie, 7-Kelly Brown (c), 8-David Denton

Replacements: 16-Ross Ford, 17-Moray Low, 18-Euan Murray, 19-Tim Swinson, 20-Ryan Wilson, 21-Chris Cusiter, 22-Duncan Taylor, 23-Max Evans

France: 15-Brice Dulin, 14-Yoann Huget, 13-Mathieu Bastareaud, 12-Maxime Mermoz, 11-Maxime Medard, 10-Jules Plisson, 9-Maxime Machenaud; 1-Thomas Domingo, 2-Brice Mach, 3-Nicolas Mas, 4-Pascal Pape (c), 5-Yoann Maestri, 6-Sebastien Vahaamahina, 7-Alexandre Lapandry, 8-Damien Chouly

Replacements: 16-Guilhem Guirado, 17-Vincent Debaty, 18-Rabah Slimani, 19-Alexandre Flanquart, 20-Antonie Claassen, 21-Jean-Marc Doussain, 22-Remi Tales, 23-Gael Fickou

Date: Saturday, March 8

Kick-off: 17:00 GMT

Venue: Murrayfield Stadium, Cardiff

Referee: Chris Pollock (New Zealand)

Touch judges: George Clancy (Ireland) & JP Doyle (England)

TMO: Gareth Simmonds (Wales)

Article by Alex Hawksworth-Brookes