France eye last-gasp glory but must beware Scotland’s recent habit of defying history

Les Bleus must secure a bonus-point win at the Stade de France by a margin of 21 to topple Wales and clinch Six Nations glory

Brice Dullin celebrates after scoring a late try to deny Wales (AFP)

Paris may have gone back into lockdown last weekend but at the Stade de France a last rescheduled dance beneath the Friday night lights awaits. This edition of so many varied and dramatic movements arrives at its alluring coda as France and Scotland meet with the destination of the Six Nations title still to be decided.

After the dramatic denial of a Welsh Grand Slam one week ago, the permutations are thus: France must win, and must do so with a bonus point to have any chance of snatching Six Nations triumph. To take top spot a 21-point margin or more will also be required, though a 20-point win exactly would also suffice should France manage at least six tries. Most intriguingly, a five-try, 20-point win for France would see the title shared for the first time in the Six Nations era.

Eyeing their own upheaval of the final Six Nations table are Scotland. A victory over France could take them as high as second, which would match their best finish in this competition. Recent history may not be on their side – the Scots have not won in Paris since Five became Six – but as shown in a first victory in Wales in 18 years in the autumn, and then a first win since 1983 at Twickenham in Round One, this side is developing something of a habit at breaking droughts.

Indeed Scotland can take optimism from last year’s meeting, when Townsend’s side denied Les Bleus a Grand Slam, the uncomfortable connection of Mohamed Haouas’ right hook and subsequent red card providing the platform for victory at Murrayfield in what would turn out to be the final Six Nations game before everything changed.

And yet in the 12 months since there has been a sense of further maturation from this France side, and a feeling that the on-field self-destruct button may have been repositioned to somewhere slightly tougher to find. Certainly in that final movement against Wales, the swift repositioning and crisp communication to enable a final pull-back pass from Charles Ollivon to Romain Ntamack and free the space for Brice Dulin to score, there were signs of both an endurance and clarity about France’s game that has perhaps lacked in the past.

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That is not to say this group of such talent arrives as certainties, particularly with so much to do to usurp Wales. France are without the suspended Paul Willemse and injured Matthieu Jalibert, though the presence of the fit-again Ntamack should ensure there is no lack of cerebral young quality at fly-half seeking the requisite tries and points.

Also of concern will be a defence that appeared a touch passive in that battle with Wales though the revelation that Shaun Edwards had not been in camp after the sad passing of his mother on the Sunday after England’s defeat does begin to explain what had appeared a tactical curiosity.

Bernard Le Roux is fit to return and there are also starts for Anthony Jelonch and Swan Rebbadj in the pack. Behind the scrum, Fabien Galthie has moved defensive lynchpin Gael Fickou to the left wing - perhaps with an eye on corralling a rampaging Duhan van der Merwe after watching him romp through, around and over Italy - with Arthur Vincent, impressive from the bench against Wales, partnering Virimi Vakatawa in midfield.

Chris Harris, Scotland’s own midfield defensive leader, starts and will have the tough task of handling Vakatawa. Back also are George Turner at hooker and Ali Price at scrum-half, but Scotland suffered a further blow on Thursday with a training injury to Matt Fagerson shearing Townsend of his most reliable number eight. Nick Haining joins the starting side; Ryan Wilson should win a 50^th cap from the bench.

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With so much on the line this encounter hardly needs extra ill-feeling or motivation but the greater sub-plot to all this is the circumstances that mean the tournament’s deciding day will come nearly a week late. France’s misadventures have been well covered but their social media team did not help matters this week with their attempt at a playful tweet for Waffle Day that was not received well either by those of a Scottish persuasion or, reportedly, in the higher reaches of the French Ministry of Sports.

There remained until last weekend some doubt that this game would go ahead on this date as Scotland and the Six Nations tried to work out a deal with Premiership Rugby to allow the release of Gregor Townsend’s England-based players with this game now falling outside of the scheduled Six Nations window. In the end, a deal was struck that permitted the Scotland coach selection of five such players – Sean Maitland and Jamie Bhatti are among those who miss out.

“It’s a complex situation that the game was called off and put into a schedule where there are league games going on,” explained Townsend. “I’m glad we did get a resolution that most of the players would be available.

“It’s much more satisfactory than I thought it was going to be on Saturday, when none of our players were going to be available, and we were putting together a team of home-based players and Finn Russell.”

However Townsend wishes to spin it, the absence of Maitland, who scored twice in last year’s meeting, particularly will rankle, though a back three of van der Merwe, livewire Darcy Graham and captain Stuart Hogg does entice. Similarly, the return of Russell, in the city he now calls home, after concussion excites, with the fly-half sure to cut shapes of his own against familiar faces as France seek the points they need to take the crown.

As Welsh eyes peer around the sofa, for the last time in this unique Six Nations of plenty, the rugby will undoubtedly have the final word.

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