Scotland v France – 6 Nations
This is Richard Shaw Wright looking ahead to week two of the Six Nations, it kicks off at Murrayfield on Saturday afternoon.
Scotland face France and what a match of contrast it was in the first round for Scotland ending that long run without the win in Cardiff. But boy did they make us worry, leading 20-0 at half time and just just repelling the Welsh fight back for a one point win.
Now France were dominating on the scoreboard at home to Ireland with the visitors never really looking in trouble in that one. A 38-17 point win being the biggest margin of the weekend. It sees the French bottom of the table. Not that that much means much at this stage of the competition really one week in of course.
That said, I'm taking Scotland on the handicap here plus 5 1/2 points on a cold weekend. Seems fair enough. And while you'd expect France to simply put in their performance after last week and you'd still expect them to pick up a win, I think it will be a narrow one. And of course if Scotland win you've still got the handicap on your side after a brace in week 1 Duhan van der Merve anytime try scorer looks a play and perhaps doubling up with the Frenchman Damian Penaud as well. But Scotland on the handicap the play as they take on France.
Selection – Scotland on the handicap +5.5 points