Scotland’s penultimate Six Nations match against France is set to go ahead, despite the women’s encounter being called off on Friday night after a Scottish player contracted coronavirus.
The Scottish Rugby Union confirmed that the player in question is being treated in “a healthcare facility but is otherwise well", and the decision was taken to press on with Sunday’s men’s match with Les Bleus chasing the Grand Slam.
France are currently favourites to win the Six Nations title, with wins over England, Italy and Wales putting them top of the table as the only side with three wins from three. Scotland meanwhile picked up their first win of the tournament last time out in Rome, and will hope to use that momentum to upset the odds even though they are at home at Murrayfield.
Download the new Independent Premium app
Sharing the full story, not just the headlines
Gregor Townsend has made three changes to his starting line-up as Fraser Brown, Grant Gilchrist and Nick Haining come into the starting line-up, with Duncan Weir earning a recall on the replacements’ bench and Kyle Steyn in line for his debut should he come on.
France meanwhile make two changes to the side who beat Wales with prop Cyrille Baille ruled out with injury, meaning Jefferson Poirot starts at loosehead prop and Damian Penaud replaces Teddy Thomas on the wing.
When is the match?
Scotland vs France takes place on Sunday 8 March at Murrayfield Stadium.
What time does it start?
The match kicks off at 3pm.
How can I watch it on TV and online?
Scotland vs France will be shown on BBC One and online on the BBC iPlayer from 2:30pm as well as the BBC Sport website. Highlights will be shown on ITV on Sunday at 10:35pm.
Teams
Scotland: S Hogg (Exeter, capt); S Maitland (Saracens), C Harris (Gloucester), S Johnson (Glasgow), B Kinghorn (Edinburgh); A Hastings (Glasgow), A Price (Glasgow); R Sutherland (Edinburgh), F Brown (Glasgow), Z Fagerson (Glasgow), S Cummings (Glasgow), G Gilchrist (Edinburgh), J Ritchie (Edinburgh), H Watson (Edinburgh), N Haining (Edinburgh).
Replacements: S McInally (Edinburgh), A Dell (London Irish), W Nel (Edinburgh), S Skinner (Exeter), M Bradbury (Edinburgh), G Horne (Glasgow), D Weir (Worcester), K Steyn (Glasgow).
France: A Bouthier (Montpellier); D Penaud (Clermont Auvergne), V Vakatawa (Racing 92), A Vincent (Montpellier), G Fickou (Stade Francais); R Ntamack (Toulouse), A Dupont (Toulouse); J Poirot (Bordeaux-Begles), J Marchand (Toulouse), M Haouas (Montpellier), B Le Roux (Racing 92), P Willemse (Montpellier), F Cros (Toulouse), C Ollivon (Toulon, capt), G Alldritt (La Rochelle).
Replacements: C Chat (Racing 92), J-B Gros (Toulon), D Bamba (Lyon), R Taofifenua (Toulon), D Cretin (Lyon), B Serin (Toulon), M Jalibert (Bordeaux-Begles), T Ramos (Toulouse).
Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand).
Odds
Scotland to win: 9/5
France to win: 1/2
Draw: 20/1
Prediction
Scotland 10-25 France: Grand Slam-chasing French should have enough in the locker to beat a Scotland side that hasn’t impressed this tournament, and another home defeat could well increase the pressure on head coach Gregor Townsend.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to debate the big issues
Want to discuss real-world problems, be involved in the most engaging discussions and hear from the journalists? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Independent Premium Comments can be posted by members of our membership scheme, Independent Premium.
It allows our most engaged readers to debate the big issues, share their own experiences, discuss
real-world solutions, and more. Our journalists will try to respond by joining the threads when
they can to create a true meeting of independent Premium. The most insightful comments on all subjects
will be published daily in dedicated articles. You can also choose to be emailed when someone replies
to your comment.
The existing Open Comments threads will continue to exist for those who do not subscribe to
Independent Premium. Due to the sheer scale of this comment community, we are not able to give each post
the same level of attention, but we have preserved this area in the interests of open debate. Please
continue to respect all commenters and create constructive debates.
Comments
Share your thoughts and debate the big issues
Please be respectful when making a comment and adhere to our Community Guidelines.
You can find our Community Guidelines in full here.
Please be respectful when making a comment and adhere to our Community Guidelines.
You can find our Community Guidelines in full here.
Follow comments
Vote
Report Comment
Subscribe to Independent Premium to debate the big issues
Want to discuss real-world problems, be involved in the most engaging discussions and hear from the journalists? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Already registered? Log inReport Comment
Delete Comment
About The Independent commenting
Independent Premium Comments can be posted by members of our membership scheme, Independent Premium. It allows our most engaged readers to debate the big issues, share their own experiences, discuss real-world solutions, and more. Our journalists will try to respond by joining the threads when they can to create a true meeting of independent Premium. The most insightful comments on all subjects will be published daily in dedicated articles. You can also choose to be emailed when someone replies to your comment.
The existing Open Comments threads will continue to exist for those who do not subscribe to Independent Premium. Due to the sheer scale of this comment community, we are not able to give each post the same level of attention, but we have preserved this area in the interests of open debate. Please continue to respect all commenters and create constructive debates.