Townsend looking for better showing against Les Bleus

Gregor Townsend insists Scotland will be facing the form team in world rugby when they bid to extend their winning run against France this weekend.

The Scots racked up a fifth straight victory for only the second time in the professional era when they eventually overcame Italy in Saturday’s 28-17 success in Florence.

But head coach Townsend is fully aware his side will need to take their performance levels up a notch or two if they are to emulate March’s 28-17 win over the French at Murrayfield on Sunday.

L es Bleus concluded their Six Nations campaign with a 35-27 triumph over Ireland last month and were handed a 28-0 walkover win when Fiji were unable to play their opening Autumn Nations Cup encounter because of an outbreak of Covid-19 cases in their squad.

Townsend said: “This week, we know there are a lot of things we can do better and we’ll have to do better to take on France.

“France were going to bring a squad with 30 new players, but with the Fiji game called off it’s back to the squad which would have played Fiji.

“They are full of confidence and have played really well through the Guinness Six Nations.

“France kicked the ball a lot less against us in March than they had done in other games. They looked to attack and we defended really well that day.

“We have to be ready for sniping runs from (scrumhalf ) Antoine Dupont.

“We know we’re playing one of the best teams in the world right now, probably the form team in the world, and we’ll have to up our game to get a win against them.”

Coach John Dalziel meanwhile reckons building a strong rapport with players is the key to success.

Dalziel joined Townsend’s backroom team as forwards coach in August and is relishing his new role after moving on from his post with the Scotland Sevens side.

The switch reunites the former Borders, Gala and London Scottish player with the likes of Darcy Graham, Blair Kinghorn and Matt Fagerson, who he coached during his spell in charge of the Scotland under-20s.

And the 43-year-old, who moved into coaching under Craig Chalmers at Melrose when he was just 27, is convinced Scotland are building a bright future as they bid to extend their five-game winning streak against the French.

He said: “I’d say 90% of coaching is having relationships.

“You can be the most technical coach in the world but if you’re not able to build relationships and understand your players, then you’re going to struggle at some point.

“I was involved with Scotland under-20s for six and a half years and the majority of the lads you now see playing with Edinburgh, Glasgow and the Scotland national team.

“I think we’ve got some fantastic kids and some fantastic young men in Scottish rugby now, that have been developing over a long period of time.”

He told Scottish Rugby: “I’ve really loved it. I know the majority of the players and I’ve come into what is already a really strong and exciting coaching group.

“I feel there is something special building within the group, so to have the opportunity to come in and add to that has been a real honour.”

FRENCH TEST: Head coach Gregor Townsend says Scotland will need to up their game at Murrayfield on Sunday.