A confident France will host Scotland at the Stade de France on Saturday, knowing that a victory with four tries or more will secure them the Six Nations title. For head coach Fabien Galthie, this match represents a chance to claim his second championship in charge, marking a high point amid an otherwise turbulent tenure.
France’s Title Hopes Hang in the Balance
Les Bleus are in a strong position, but the margin for error remains slim. Sitting at the top of the standings, they control their own fate, a position Galthie relishes.
“It’s our supreme objective, it’s what we wanted and what we succeeded in doing,” Galthie said. “It’s an ambition that is becoming a reality.”
However, should France falter, both England and Ireland remain in the hunt, with second-placed England and defending champions Ireland still mathematically capable of claiming the crown.
Dupont’s Absence: A Major Setback
Star scrum-half Antoine Dupont, who has been instrumental throughout the tournament, will miss the game after suffering a serious knee injury in last weekend’s emphatic win over Ireland.
His replacement, Maxime Lucu, faces a daunting challenge stepping into the role with the championship at stake. France’s lineup remains mostly unchanged from their dominant 42-27 victory in Dublin, with only Lucu and centre Gael Fickou stepping in.
“There are knee injuries that hurt, and some knee injuries that hurt a lot. His injury hurts,” Galthie admitted. “He’ll be with us to watch the game if his pain allows.”
Scotland’s Uphill Battle
Scotland, under Gregor Townsend, are in with a mathematical chance of lifting the trophy, but it will require an extraordinary effort. Not only do they need to win in Paris, but they must also overcome a 106-point deficit in points difference to surpass France in the standings.
Townsend acknowledged the challenge ahead.
“It’s one of the biggest challenges, to go to Stade de France and win,” he said. “We know that it’s been very tough for us over the decades.”
Scotland have only won once in Paris in the past 26 years, making their task even more daunting.
Tactical Adjustments for Both Sides
Both teams have made two changes to their lineups. Scotland bring in Gregor Brown and No. 8 Matt Fagerson, hoping to shore up their forward play after a nervy win over Wales last weekend.
France, meanwhile, have opted for stability, keeping faith in most of the side that dismantled Ireland.
Some key factors that could determine the outcome:
- Maxime Lucu’s Performance: Filling in for Dupont is no small feat. His ability to control the tempo and decision-making will be critical.
- Scotland’s Start: A fast start is crucial if they hope to upset the French at home. Falling behind early could spell disaster.
- France’s Finishing Power: With their attacking firepower, Les Bleus will look to pile on the points to ensure they meet the four-try requirement for the title.
Galthie’s Cautious Optimism
Despite their strong position, Galthie remains wary.
“We have to be vigilant,” he said. “I’m always on alert, I always have my hazard lights on. You can’t be happy with what you’ve done, we have to have a mentality of taking a next step up.”
For France, this game offers a chance to make amends for past disappointments, including their World Cup heartbreak against South Africa and Scotland’s upset victory that denied them the 2022 Six Nations title.
Saturday’s showdown in Paris will either mark a triumphant night for Les Bleus or another painful twist in their unpredictable Six Nations journey.
