Six Nations Match 2 preview: Scotland look to build on Cardiff triumph as they take on France

By Ethan Barlow

Murrayfield: The home of Scottish Rugby (Image: Getty Images)

On Saturday (February 10), Scotland are set to host France after a win over Wales which left them with mixed emotions. France will arrive at Murrayfield desperate for redemption after being thrashed 38-17 by Ireland, the competition’s favourites.   

Scotland led 27-0 at the Principality Stadium, before The Dragons almost pulled off one of the competition’s greatest-ever comebacks with a 26-point run, as it looked as if Scotland might have done a Scotland. Despite Scotland’s second-half disaster, they held on for their first win in Cardiff for 22 years.

Josh Adams of Wales is tackled by Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones of Scotland (Image: Getty Images)

After the match, Scotland captain Finn Russell said: “I feel a bit disappointed, to be honest. That second half was nowhere near where it needed to be.”

Despite Scotland’s win, the skipper expected better (Image: Getty Images)

France, who came into the tournament as the second highest ranked (4th in the world) were comfortably beaten by the Six Nations holders (second in the world) in Marseille. France were reduced to 14 men in the first half when Paul Willemse was shown a second yellow, which didn’t help their fight back.

Scotland and France traded wins in each country in two World Cup warm-ups in August. Les Blues have won the last two meetings between the teams in this competition and will be slight favourites going to Murrayfield. Scotland have an outside chance at their first official Six Nations win but we will get an idea of where Gregor Townsend’s side really sit after Saturday.

This match will most likely define each team's chances at the trophy. With France having no room for a slip-up and Scotland still having to play Ireland, this becomes a must-win for both teams.

In the other matches this weekend, England will host Wales on Saturday after the Three Lions just about got the job done against Italy last weekend. Like Scotland, Wales will have positives and negatives to take from their loss in Cardiff and will hope to kick their campaign into life with a win over their old rivals. England will go into the match as favourites but both sides will fancy their chances at Twickenham.

Italy will head to Dublin, and it would be a massive shock to expect anything but a win for the Wolfhounds. Italy have only won four of 36 meetings between the nations and haven’t recorded a win over Ireland in over 10 years. Ireland will want to avoid a potential banana skin, as tougher tests are expected to come for the holders.