DAVID SOLE

NOW the euphoria of Scotland’s opening win of the 6 Nations has died down, focus turns to their first game on the road in Paris – a venue Scotland have not won in since 1999.

This group of players are being compared very favourably with that 1999 side – the reigning Five Nations Champions – and the comparison is entirely justified.

Greig Laidlaw’s team have a workmanlike pack of forwards who are vulnerable in the scrum, but who more than make up for those deficiencies elsewhere – as the Irish discovered.

In the backs, Scotland have ball players and finishers who, when they are on song, are a match for any team in the world.

So the raw material is there, but the team will be measured on their performance this afternoon.

If they can back up last weekend’s performance with another one of passion and commitment then they could well come away with a second victory.

However, any slips in concentration or lack of accuracy are likely to be punished by a French team who themselves will have taken confidence from their narrow loss at Twickenham last weekend.

France will be a very different proposition to the Irish. The French have selected a back row of ball carriers while the Scottish back row is designed to be a real nuisance at the breakdown.

If Barclay and Watson can slow the release of ball they will allow the big tacklers – Jonny Gray, Zander Ferguson and the like – time to set up and make tackles on the front foot. This will be key in closing down the French.

In attack, expect Scotland to try and play as they did against Ireland in the first half when they had possession.

Laidlaw was quick to move the ball away from the breakdown and the Scottish backs attacked the gainline at pace before putting width on the ball. It was incredibly effective and so relentless that Ireland looked a shadow of their former selves.

When Laidlaw slowed the game down in the second half, the Scots looked far less threatening. He cannot afford to make the same mistake again.

Finn Russell will also play a critical role after a poor afternoon against Ireland. At times, his relative inexperience shows as he tries to do too much himself.

He will be a marked man and as such, there will be spaces elsewhere, so he should let the ball do the work rather than try too much on his own.

It promises to be an enthralling match – rapier Scots against the heavyweight French.

If Scotland can silence the crowd with an early score or two in the opening exchanges it could be a very close and exciting match and a first win in Paris for 18 years.

It’ll be rapier Scots against heavyweight French