French and Georgian tests for Scotland

Matches arranged for Scots’ warm-up to big event in Japan

Scotland will take on France and Georgia both home and away after finalising their warm-up schedule for next year’s Rugby World Cup in Japan.

Gregor Townsend’s team will travel to France on August 17 before journeying on to Tbilisi seven days later to face the Georgians.

Les Bleus will then make the return trip to BT Murrayfield on August 31, with the Lelos arriving on the weekend of September 6-7 for their own Edinburgh visit.

Townsend will use the four-match series to whittle down his section for the World Cup, with a 31-man squad then heading to Nagasaki for a training camp before the action gets under way.

The Scots kick off their tournament against Ireland in Yokohama on September 22, with clashes against the hosts Japan, Romania and the winner of a cross-region play-off to follow.

Townsend said: “With 18 months to go until Rugby World Cup 2019, our planning for the tournament is well under way.

“These warm-up matches against quality international opposition will give us the chance to assess fully where we are as a squad, as well as give players the opportunity to put their hands up for selection for Japan.

“Scotland’s matches against France are typically closely-contested, physical encounters. They are an excellent team who will test us in defence and attack.

“Georgia are currently placed 12th in the World Rugby rankings and are a country on the rise. Playing against them will be a good test for us ahead of our pool matches at the Rugby World Cup.”

Group. Picture: SNS Stuart Hogg in the thick of the action in Scotland’s Six Nations meeting with France in February.