Scotland captain: ‘Let’s get physical’

John Barclay knows he’s in for a battle this afternoon, writes Alan Shaw.

France relish the physical aspect of rugby and have picked some truly big units in their front five for this afternoon.

“We went over there last season and almost came away with a win despite a shed-load of injuries, so I think they will come and try to play physical rugby,” says the Scotland skipper.

“It’s up to us to meet that but also to play up-tempo rugby with a lot more accuracy than we managed last week.

“Their league is quite set-piece dominated so they have the biggest forward packs. They have big power games and kicking games so it’s a physical challenge but one that throws up opportunities for you.

“We back our fitness in the game but we know that if you let them get their power game going, it’s tough to slow down.

“It’s like that in most Test matches. When you have very big men coming at you, you have to get bodies in front of bodies.

“If they start hitting soft shoulders and get a bit of rumble on, that’s when they become quite dangerous and get into that traditional way they’re very good at.

“They start offloading and getting in behind you.

“That’s always the key – you’ve got to meet them physically, win the gain line but also play with tempo.

“We want to move the big men around the pitch and keep the ball alive.

“Against the Welsh, we probably tried to do that too soon, we didn’t go up the middle first.

“It’s that tricky balance and that’s one of the jobs that I, the half-backs and leaders have to do, to have that feel for the game and when it’s time to call things.”