France v Scotland: Team news, predictions, odds & time

France host Scotland in the RBS 6 Nations on Sunday February 12, with the match kicking off at 1500 GMT at the Stade de France in Paris and screened live on BBC.

Here is our preview pack, which includes the team news, quotes from coaches, our predictions, key facts and details of the Sky Bet odds to help you with your bets.

France v Scotland: Team news

France have made one change to the side that narrowly lost to England for Sunday's RBS 6 Nations visit of Scotland. Loann Goujon replaces Damien Chouly at blindside flanker as coach Guy Noves otherwise sticks with the team that severely tested holders England at Twickenham until succumbing to a 19-16 loss. Chouly takes Goujon's place on the bench where hooker Christopher Tolofua replaces Clement Maynadier and second row Julien Le Devedec comes in for Arthur Iturria.

Scotland also make a single change to their starting XV, with flanker John Barclay replacing the injured Ryan Wilson. Wilson has dropped out with an elbow infection following Scotland's opening RBS 6 Nations victory over Ireland. Fraser Brown and Finn Russell both retain their starting places after going off with injuries in the first half of the 27-22 win over the Irish at BT Murrayfield.

Teams:

France: S Spedding (Clermont Auvergne); N Nakaitaci (Clermont Auvergne), R Lamerat (Clermont Auvergne), G Fickou (Toulouse), V Vakatawa (French Rugby Federation); C Lopez (Clermont Auvergne), B Serin (Bordeaux-Begles); C Baille (Toulouse), G Guirado (Toulon, capt), U Atonio (La Rochelle), S V Vahaamahina (Clermont Auvergne), Y Maestri (Toulouse), L Goujon (Bordeaux-Begles), K Gourdon (La Rochelle), L Picamoles (Northampton).

Replacements: C Tolofua (Toulouse), R Slimanu (Stade Francais), X Chiocci (Toulon), J Le Devedec (Brive), D Chouly (Clermont Auvergne), M Machenaud (Racing 92), J-M Doussain (Toulouse), Y Huget (Toulouse).

Scotland: S Hogg (Glasgow); S Maitland (Saracens), H Jones (Stormers), A Dunbar (Glasgow), T Seymour (Glasgow); F Russell (Glasgow), G Laidlaw (Gloucester, capt); A Dell (Edinburgh), F Brown (Glasgow), Z Fagerson (Glasgow), R Gray (Toulouse), J Gray (Glasgow), J Barclay (Scarlets), H Watson (Edinburgh), J Strauss (Glasgow).

Replacements: R Ford (Edinburgh), G Reid (Glasgow), S Bergham (Edinburgh), T Swinson (Glasgow), J Hardie (Edinburgh), A Price (Glasgow), D Weir (Edinburgh), M Bennett (Glasgow).

France v Scotland: Our prediction

Tony Calvin writes... I would have bitten your hand off - and kept on going to the elbow - if you had offered me 10/11 about Scotland +7 v France at about 4.30pm last Saturday.

France's subsequent performance against England means that while I still have to be with the Scots on that handicap line, my bet will now resemble more one of those cheap, small-fish foot massage/nibbles at dodgy Spanish resorts rather than a Jaws-like chunk of Robert Shaw.

Or, if you want me to ditch the dodgy contrived lines, simply back Scotland +7 to small stakes.

Scotland surpassed all expectations in that opening 30 minutes against Ireland.

Their most obvious positives were they kicked their goals, their invention with ball in hand, and that line-out move, but equally impressive was the way they sorted out their scrum after a shaky start, disrupted Ireland ball at the line-out and really gathered themselves to nail the game late on.

Sure, it had its faults but it was as impressive as we had a right to expect from the underdogs.

Unfortunately, France also looked assured in most areas at Twickenham, a venue they have been sent home with their tails between their legs since an 18-17 win in 2005.

It wasn't a pretty game but they kept their discipline, their pack looked cohesive, and they sliced England open on a couple of occasions before ole' dependable Mike Brown stemmed the tide.

This set of fixtures really is a lot harder to call than last week, but Scotland +7 is probably the best handicap bet, even if they haven't won in France since that memorable 36-22 romp in 1999, a match in which they scored five first-half tries.

Bizarrely, seven points has been the French winning margin on the last two occasions these sides have met in Paris but Scotland must have gained a lot of confidence from that Ireland win and they have the squad to mix it with any side in this tournament.

Perhaps now they have the belief, too. 

France v Scotland: Key quotes

Scotland skipper Greig Laidlaw on Scotland's character: "In the first half against Ireland we were really skilful and caused them a whole host of problems and managed to build a lead on the scoreboard which was hugely important.

"Where I feel the team has made massive strides is being able to dig ourselves out of a hole. After allowing Ireland to come back at us, we managed to get field positions and eventually see out the win, so it's pleasing to know we can perform in these situations.

"We understand how we can win games from being behind. We need everything we had from the Ireland game and take that forward into the French game.

"There are things we feel as though we can still improve on. In a tournament like the Six Nations there is no respite, we've beaten Ireland and enjoyed it, our feet are back on the ground now and we know what's required for the task ahead."

On the challenge of France: "It's about not worrying too much about the game you've just won. It's about looking forward to this game which is coming up and it's going to be very tough. France have improved massively under Guy Noves and they aren't far away from any team they are playing.

"They have some very dangerous strike runners throughout their team. They have become a really dangerous team and can cause anyone problems.

"The start of the game is massively important when you travel away to France. The first thing you do in the game is psychologically just as important for them as it is for us. We need to stay in the game, play in the right areas and not muck about for the first 20 minutes then we'll put them under pressure and upset their crowd a little bit.

"The Stade de France is a great stadium, it's open and in terms of real noise you don't hear it as much as you do at other stadiums. Scotland haven't won in Paris since 1999, it was a long time ago and there's a reason for that, it's because France are a good side and it's a difficult place to go and win.

"We are under no illusions, we need to be on top of our game to get anything out of it."

Scotland forward Tim Swinson on Jonny Gray: "I've seen him do it for Glasgow for the last two and a bit years and it still doesn't get any less impressive. He was looking really tired at the end of the game on Saturday, which says something as he never looks tired.

"It's an unbelievable amount of work to get through during one game. A hell of a good shift. I place him up there amongst the world's best second-rows. You can see over the last couple of years how massively he has grown as a leader. Jonny isn't the type of guy who screams or shouts. But when he speaks, people listen and he gets his point across very well.

"He's added so much to his game and he's playing a real different role this year. That's now starting to come through in his performances for Scotland. He certainly was never bad for club nor country at any stage during his career so far but he is ever more self-assured now, a bit more forthright. That's fantastic for him and Scotland."

France coach Guy Noves on "strategic decision to bring in Loann Goujon: "This change strengthens the pack, even if the profiles of Chouly and de Goujon are essentially identical. There had already been discussion about this choice before the first game of the tournament."

On facing Scotland: "We will mainly adapt to the Scottish rugby that you have seen evolve for four years.

"A game based on commitment, speed, aggression, with players who have gained confidence in a highly organised collective." 

France v Scotland: Sky Bet odds & traders view

France are 2/5 favourites to bounce back from last weekend's defeat to England by defeating Scotland on Sunday while the visitors can be backed at 21/10 to make it two wins from two. The latter are on offer at 10/11 getting a six-point start on the handicap, with the hosts available at 9/2 to come out on top by a margin of 1-5 points.

Sky Bet's Dane Higginson says: "Scotland had a fantastic result last week by beating Ireland at home. France performed a lot better than many expected losing to the hot favourites England away. John Barclay replaces the injured Ryan Wilson in the back row. While France make one change to their starting 15 with Loann Goujon coming into the back row for Damien Chouly. Scotland haven't won in Paris since 1999, but I think this is their best chance in years. They are a cracking price to win here. Stuart Hogg was the star last week with a brace and makes his 50th appearance here, 5/1 anytime to score is also a great price for the Lions bound fullback."Click here for all the Sky Bet odds

France v Scotland: Six Nations so far

Round One

England 19-16 France
Scotland 27-22 Ireland