Sunday Mail (UK)

FRENCH EVOLUTION

Bradbury insists Scots can topple Les Bleus

- David Kelso

Magnus Bradbury is convinced Scotland can give France another dose of Les Bleus next weekend and shatter their Grand Slam dream.

The new-look French are on a high after blowing away England, Italy and Wales so far in the Six Nations.

But Bradbury believes Scotland are on the up after bouncing back from defeats by Ireland and England by beating Italy and can bring Les Bleus back down to earth at Murrayfiel­d.

Edinburgh breakaway ace Bradbury said: “We fancy ourselves against anyone when we are at home.

“And we don’t see ourselves as being underdogs against France.

“It will be a tough, physical and fast game against a confident team – but in this competitio­n any side can beat any opponent.

“We understand what wi l l be required to overcome an outfit who are playing some good rugby at the moment.

“But we had a good win in Rome last week and now we are looking for some consistenc­y.

“Beating France would be a massive step forward in that process, with the trip to Cardiff to follow.” Scotland have

claimed three Murrayfiel­d wins on the spin against the French but while Bradbury is confident of making it four in a row, he knows it will be no formality.

He said: “This is a different France team, as they’ve shown with recent results. “We need to turn up and do a job – and we can do that.”

Bradbury is particular­ly relishing the battle of the back-rows.

He added: “They work really well and bounce off each other.

“And then you have even more dynamic players on the bench who can come on to replace them.

“It will be important to make a strong start and shell-shock the opposition by putting quick points on the board.

“I think every Six Nations match is specia l – but the ones at Murrayfiel­d are the most special.

“You get off that bus to go to the changing rooms and the senior players tell us younger guys to take our headphones off and listen to the noise from the fans.”

 ??  ?? ITALIAN JOB Bradbury shone in Rome and now eyes the French
PADDING IT OUT Bradbury gets ready for big-hitting French as he and his Scots team-mates look to build on win in Italy
ITALIAN JOB Bradbury shone in Rome and now eyes the French PADDING IT OUT Bradbury gets ready for big-hitting French as he and his Scots team-mates look to build on win in Italy
 ??  ??

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom