DAVID SOLE

Gregor Townsend’s Scotland team have a chance of redemption this afternoon, but how many times have I said that in the past few years, I wonder?

False hopes and false dawns have been almost ever present, but last weekend was the greatest disappointment for a number of years, not least because of the hope of something better to kick of the Six Nations campaign.

Winning away from home requires the team to be aggressive and competitive – aspects that were sadly lacking against Wales.

France come to Murrayfield with a gigantic pack and are hurting badly after defeat in the final minutes last week at the hands of Ireland.

Yet they are another team that is as unpredictable as the weather – they could react well to their defeat or they could go into their shell.

If the Murrayfield crowd see something to cheer about, the latter would be much more likely.

To get the crowd behind the team, Townsend has made some significant changes.

Out go a number of players including Cornell du Preez, who was anonymous against the Welsh, and Ali Price, who can be a key player.

Also dropped is Chris Harris, carrying the can for a poor display in a centre combination that was far from ideal.

Instead, Simon Berghan starts,

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It’s critical Scotland are more combative and aggressive

having played no rugby since being sent off in the 1872 Cup match.

Ryan Wilson and Grant Gilchrist come back into the side and between them they should give the side some “go forward” as ball carriers.

Bringing in Greig Laidlaw is interesting as, despite his experience, his style of play is less suited to the fast, dynamic style that Townsend and before him, Vern Cotter encouraged.

And with Finn Russell knocking over kicks with real efficiency, Laidlaw won’t have been brought in as a goal-kicker.

What is critical is that Scotland are more combative at the breakdown and aggressive in defence against this physical French team.

Starting well will be key – they must start fast, but not in an unstructured, chaotic way as happened in Cardiff.

Games tend to be won in the final minutes, not the opening minutes – yet you can lose matches in the first few minutes as Scotland discovered.

Confidence for both teams will be slightly fragile, so whoever can gain an edge in the first quarter will grow in stature.

For Scotland, in front of their home crowd, that first 20 minutes becomes even more important and the thousands of Scottish fans have a significant role to play.

It’s a very tough match to call. My heart says Scotland, but my head worries about the impact of the giant French forwards.