When undefeated France go to Murrayfield on Saturday within the penultimate spherical of the Six Nations, each side of Scotland’s sport will probably be examined.
The rampant defending champions are the one facet nonetheless chasing a Grand Slam after swatting apart Ireland, Wales, and Italy thus far, and Scotland and England are the perimeters left who can cease them.
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A win for Gregor Townsend’s facet wouldn’t solely halt that however would put themselves able to win a primary ever Six Nations title on the ultimate weekend after they go to Dublin.
So what are the important thing areas Scotland merely need to get proper at Murrayfield?
The aerial battle
A key space of Test rugby because the escort rule was modified, France have dominated each opponent within the air thus far.
Not solely have they booted the ball essentially the most of any facet within the Six Nations, however they’ve retained possession from extra of their very own kicks than others, too.
Nine greater than the following finest facet, Ireland.
It isn’t just a case of France profitable again the ball from their very own kicks, however their ablity to attain straight from any aerial contest.
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Flying winger Louis Bielle-Bierrey profited from Antoine Dupont choosing up the crumbs from an Italy kick within the final spherical when Theo Attisogbe challenged within the air.
France have been imperious at profitable the ball off kicks [AFP via Getty Images]
Scotland have been fairly good on this space of the sport too.
They are second for share of their kicks retained thus far, and scrum-half Ben White is the participant who tops the rankings for most kicks retained (10).
Wingers Kyle Steyn and Jamie Dobie had been key to Scotland getting the higher of England within the skies in spherical two, earlier than the latter had his marketing campaign ended by damage.
Duhan van der Merwe returned against Wales however was taken off early for Darcy Graham, who scored a vital attempt from Finn Russell’s quickly-taken restart.
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But may Townsend usher in Glasgow’s Kyle Rowe to play within the again three alongside Blair Kinghorn and Steyn?
Comfortable at full-back or wing, Rowe scored twice in Warriors’ defeat by Connacht on the weekend and is powerful beneath excessive balls in addition to on the counter-attack.
Whoever performs, Scotland should be almost flawless not solely at coping with contestable kicks, however masking the again area against a France facet which scores commonly from a wide range of kicks, whether or not it’s cross-field or off-the-cuff dinks and grubbers.
Dealing with energy sport
Although it has not been the hallmark of their performances on this Six Nations like others up to now, France nonetheless possess a formidable energy sport.
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Players like second-row Emmanuel Meafou, who stands at 6ft 8in and weighs 145kg, have extra bulk than Scotland have to supply of their ranks.
Power in addition to a dynamic again row means France have carried for essentially the most metres within the Championship in whole, in addition to made extra metres on common with each particular person carry.
On the opposite facet of the ball, they’ve the highest six most dominant tacklers thus far.
In Paris a yr in the past, Scotland managed to reside with France for 60 minutes and, however for Huw Jones’ disallowed attempt to a French counter-attack rating after Graham knocked on within the different 22, might need put severe stress on on the finish.
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Ultimately, France overpowered Scotland within the closing quarter with a lot to spare to win the title.
So how can Scotland forestall that from occurring once more?
Jack Dempsey’s health might be essential for Scotland [SNS]
The power drawn from the house crowd will probably be an element, as will the composition of the bench.
And whether or not quantity eight Jack Dempsey is match might be essential. The 31-year-old was anticipated to overlook the remainder of the Six Nations after damaging a bicep against England.
But he is back in the squad and seemingly in competition to play. As Scotland’s most belligerent ball provider, it will improve their probabilities if he’s bodily in a position to make an impression.
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His back-row and Glasgow colleague Rory Darge has essentially the most turnovers (eight) within the match and his potential to sluggish France’s ball down may even be key.
Scotland have missed the fewest tackles within the Championship thus far, and should entrance up massively once more, together with tightening up their set-piece.
Scotland should begin rapidly
Scotland began slowly against each Italy and Wales.
They had been punished in Rome’s monsoon regardless of attending to inside a rating of Italy, after which obtained themselves out of jail on the finish in Cardiff.
If they begin slowly against France, the sport will probably be over in a short time.
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Fabien Galthie’s facet have stormed out of the blocks in each match thus far, managing six tries within the opening quarter throughout their three video games.
Ireland had been 22-0 down by half-time in Paris, Wales conceded after 90 seconds, and Italy had been 19-0 behind earlier than the half-hour mark.
Every crew desires to start out each sport rapidly, however is rarely so simple as that. The opposition is gunning for the identical explosion from the blocks, as a starter.
But it’s clear Scotland can not afford to construct into the sport, they want the kind of begin they obtained against England after they raced 17-0 forward.
It is unlikely France will probably be as charitable as England had been, however starting with the identical accuracy and depth is so essential if they’re to take the title combat to the ultimate weekend.