Scotland are in uncharted territory and heading into choppy waters. Two wins from two for the first time since Five Nations became Six and the excitement coursing through tartan ranks is palpable. But now it’s sink or swim time for hopes of an elusive title.
France, the defending champions, lie in wait for Gregor Townsend’s side in Paris on Sunday, before No 1-ranked Ireland descend on Edinburgh in a fortnight. Defeat in either may not necessarily be a fatal blow, given Italy visit Murrayfield in round five. But the optimists north of Hadrian’s Wall would have you believe that if Scotland are going to shake off two decades of underachievement, this is the time.
No one is underestimating the challenge posed by a fired-up France side intent on showing their recent defeat in Dublin – a first in 15 matches – was only a bump in the road towards a home World Cup in the autumn, but there is no mistaking the mood music in the visiting camp.
Having repeated their hoodoo- busting victory of 2021 at Twickenham three weeks ago, and backed it up with a handsome win over Wales, the Scots head to the Stade de France with belief and confidence, insisting they have yet to fully hit their straps.
They have a settled side, with Finn Russell and Richie Gray playing some of the rugby of their lives, and are bolstered by the return of two British & Irish Lions. Hamish Watson, fully restored to fitness, replaces Luke Crosbie on the openside flank. The game-management of the scrum-half Ali Price, back on the bench after being omitted for the opening two victories, may also be vital.
Watson, a potent breakdown bandit, will be key to stopping France hitting their stride in attack while adding speed and ball-carrying vibrancy to Scotland’s own. With Glasgow’s Rory Darge on the comeback trail and potentially available for the Ireland game, Watson is under pressure to have an impact.
Townsend has opted to match France’s six-two split of forwards and backs on the bench to try to maintain parity in the physicality stakes, with the abrasive Sam Skinner brought in to help combat the hosts’ heavy brigade.
Fabien Galthié has hardly hit the panic button after France’s Dublin setback, making only one enforced change. With the heavyweight prop Uini Atonio suspended, Mohamed Haouas comes in. The tighthead has history against Scotland. His wild punch to the head of Jamie Ritchie in 2020 brought a red card as the Scots went on to secure the second of three wins in five championship meetings with the French on Townsend’s watch.
Nine of Sunday’s starting XV featured in the stunning victory in Paris two years ago – the only time Les Bleus have lost at home under Galthié. France were leading five minutes into injury time when Duhan van der Merwe finished off a remarkable 23-phase assault, despite Scotland being a man down for the final 10 minutes after Russell’s red card.
“The way we kept going right at the end, the way we defended, the way we kept believing even when we were men down – it was outstanding,” Townsend recalled. “It’ll take something to beat that performance.”
Something out of Townsend’s own playbook perhaps? His place in Scottish rugby history is enshrined by some of his Paris exploits. As a 21-year-old in 1995, his out-the-back pass – the celebrated “Toonie Flip” – to send Gavin Hastings steaming through for a memorable winning try at the old Parc des Princes helped the Scots end a 26-year winless streak in the French capital.
Four years later he orchestrated one of Scotland’s finest ever victories on foreign soil as a first-half blitz of five tries – one scored by Townsend himself to complete a full house in that 1999 championship – paved the way for not just a remarkable 36-22 victory but also the final Five Nations title, when England were undone by Scott Gibbs’ late try for Wales at Wembley the next day.
That was as good as it got for Scotland for another 22 years before Townsend’s team won in Paris two years ago.
With reports suggesting the Scottish Rugby Union are lining up Leon MacDonald, the former New Zealand full-back who is now the Auckland Blues coach, as a possible successor when Townsend’s contract expires after the World Cup, this could be the last time he leads Scotland into the Stade cauldron.
One more seismic victory would not only cement his love affair with Paris, but set up a likely title showdown with Ireland on 12 March, and a possible tilt at the grand slam. Intoxicating days indeed.
