DAVID SOLE ON RUGBY

France have featured in all of the mostexciting encounters so far in this year’s Six Nations Championship.

Scottish fans will be hoping that the game today follows suit.

So far, the matches involving Scotland have been pretty turgid. So an expansive, open game would be welcome.

Gregor Townsend’s side has improved considerably in two areas over the past six months – their set piece play and defence.

The Scottish scrum could potentially cause the French a few problems, with much resting on the shoulders of loosehead prop, Rory Sutherland.

Their South African scrum coach, Pieter de Villiers has worked wonders with the Scottish front row and he will have insights into the French technique and mentality of the French, given he played for Les Bleus.

The Scottish defence has also improved beyond measure, albeit there was much to improve on.

But with Shaun Edwards now in charge of the French defensive systems, it would be a shame if the game turned into one which saw the best defence prevail.

Townsend has recalled Nick Haining, having discarded him from the squad after an impressive debut against Ireland and a few minutes against the English.

It seems slightly bizarre, as do one or two other of the coach’s selections, particularly amongst the replacements.

Duncan Weir is set to win his first cap since 2017, and if he plays off the bench it will be the first time under Townsend.

Hadweir been in Rome, he would probably have replaced Adam Hastings, who had a difficult afternoon.

So it feels like shutting the door after the horse has bolted.

One is also left wondering what Rory Hutchinson has to do to merit a more permanent place in the team?

The Northampton centre is wonderfully creative and could bring real cutting edge to our backline.

France have started well in every game of this year’s Championship and, at home, you hope that Scotland would not allow that to happen.

The Scots have to create doubt in the minds of this young and still relatively inexperienced French team, who have shown a lot of character when things haven’t gone their way – their last outing in Cardiff a case in point.

It may well come down to which set of half-backs can set the pace and tempo of the match.

For once, France have a class pairing in Dupont and N’tamack who are both growing into their play-making roles.

Price and Hastings are less experienced, but seem to lack fear and are prepared to try things.

As ever, both sets of half-backs need a platform to work from, and it is here that Scotland may just have an edge at home.

It promises to be a very tight encounter.

It feels like shutting the door after the horse has bolted