The mischievous could have eyes on Rome on Saturday in case of a historic win however the recreation of the weekend is in Edinburgh. Second versus first, Scotland versus France, entertainers versus entertainers. The title on the road. We may also have a champion by the end of it.
If France win with a bonus level, that’s it. The 2026 Six Nations shall be theirs with a spherical to spare. One feels there shall be tries on this recreation, so the prospect is actual. Which would scale back the championship’s beloved set piece of Super Saturday to an train in ordering the also-rans and seeing if France can transfer forward of Wales because the Six Nations’ most prolific purveyor of grand slams, with a fifth.
For now although we will relish an old style match of significance within the race to the title. Our two contenders have adopted routes to this level of various fortunes. France have been immaculate; Scotland have supplied the standard food regimen of brilliance and despair.
After the deluge in Rome of spherical one, they’ve truly gained consecutive matches. Following their win in Cardiff final trip, the BBC pulled up a stat in Rugby Special that listed the one different two occasions Scotland had adopted up a house win with an away win in the identical championship. But the image is even bleaker than that.
The AI researcher the Beeb presumably used failed to qualify the primary occasion, in 2020, with the not-insignificant element that the away win against Wales in spherical 5 with which they adopted up their house win against France in spherical 4 was separated from its predecessor by practically eight months. And it was recorded in an empty Parc y Scarlets in a monsoon, as a result of of Covid. What’s extra the opposite occasion was the next yr once more in an empty stadium, this time in Paris, once more in outlandish circumstances, this time a postponed match, once more as a result of of Covid.
What we will say is that Scotland’s win against Wales a fortnight in the past, nonetheless unconvincing, was the primary time within the Six Nations they’ve adopted up a euphoric, coruscating house victory, like the one over England in spherical two, with an away one the following week. In entrance of individuals. Does this sign a brand new dynamic?
Wales, even in Cardiff, aren’t a tough group to beat lately. We may see all of the previous ghosts swarming spherical Scottish heads because it appeared as in the event that they had been going to blow it once more. But they glad that previous chestnut concerning the good groups discovering a means to win even on a nasty day.
Now they’re again the place they like to be: at house with no expectation. The bookies have given them a double-digit head begin and you can’t hear a much less‑than-effusive phrase stated against France anyplace. So let’s introduce a couple of now.
The darlings of this Six Nations to date haven’t had a correct check. It was solely in November that they had been being completely dismantled by the best team in the world, South Africa, who performed most of the match down to 14. Then got here spherical one. Who is aware of who that group in inexperienced had been who turned up in Paris on a Thursday evening however they weren’t the one who turned up at Twickenham for spherical three. Since that mild stroll, France have prevailed with ease in Cardiff and at house to Italy.
Scotland aren’t South Africa however we will be assured they gained’t stand on ceremony come 10 previous two on Saturday. And boy they’ll play when they need to. They make 5 adjustments to the aspect who scraped house against Wales, essentially the most notable being the shifting of Zander Fagerson to the bench (they don’t like to name it demotion lately) and the ejection altogether of Duhan van der Merwe from the squad after one recreation again in. Jack Dempsey additionally returns to lend punch from the bottom of the scrum.
France make 5 adjustments too, restoring the group who beat Ireland in spherical one. Having showcased over the previous two rounds the newest pair of proficient children in midfield, they convey again the Bordeaux pairing of Yoram Moefana and Nicolas Depoortère, with France’s assault coach, Patrick Arlettaz, likening his midfield choices to mushrooms. “There was a period when we had a shortage there. Now it’s like mushrooms. Sometimes you can’t find one. The next day they’re everywhere – even under your bed.”
Magic mushrooms certainly. France have been the celebrities of this championship to date. This ought to be their greatest check. Should Scotland, whisper it, truly win, Super Saturday may instantly turn into a parade of matches of significance. A Scotland win could be the primary time they’ve secured three in a row within the Six Nations, apart from that run of wins in 2020 that don’t actually matter. Make it a fourth consecutive win in Dublin the week after … cease it. That we have now simply this match to look ahead to ought to be sufficient.
