The first action in Round 2 of the Six Nations sees France bid to kick start their tournament when they take on Scotland in Edinburgh on Saturday
Scotland v France, Saturday 10th February, Edinburgh, KO 16:15 (South African time)
Referee: Nic Berry (RA)
Assistant Referees: Nika Amashukeli (GRU), Jordan Way (RA)
TMO: Brian MacNeice (IRFU)
Weather Forecast - Edinburgh
Scotland
Scotland opened up with a 27-26 victory over Wales in Cardiff. They were 3.5 point favourites on the handicap and minus backers could have been forgiven for counting their money as the Scots went into half time 20-0 up and the lead was extended to 27-0 early in the second half. Cue an amazing Weslh fightback and Scotland had to hang on at the death. The Scots tries came from Schoeman and a brace from Van der Merwe, all converted by Russell who also landed 2 penalties.
In the 6 Nations last year Scotland lost 32-21 to France in Paris and they finished that tournament in third spot.
In the outright betting markets with BoyleSports Scotland are currently 96/10 to win the title, 8/1 for the Triple Crown and they can also be backed at around 21/10 to finish in the top 2.
Fixtures & Results: R1 Wales (a) won 27-26, R2 France (h), R3 England (h), R4 Italy (a), R5 Ireland (a)
France
France took on Ireland in Marseille in Round 1 and although they were 4.5 point favourites on the handicap they finished well beaten, 38-17. Their cause wasn't helped with Paul Willemse sent off for picking up 2 yellows In the first half. Damian Penaud and Paul Gabrillagues scored tries for France either side of half time whilst Ireland ran in 5 tries and landed a bonus point.
France finished as runners up to Ireland in the 6 Nations last year. They won 4 and lost 1 of their 6N matches with that sole loss coming to the Irish in Dublin, 32-19.
In the outright betting markets with BoyleSports France are currently 18.5/1 to win the title (from 11/10) and they are 14/10 to finish in the top 2.
Fixtures & Results: R1 Ireland (h) lost 38-17, R2 Scotland (a), R3 Italy (h), R4 Wales (a), R5 England (h)
Team News
Scotland: 15 Kyle Rowe, 14 Kyle Steyn, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Sione Tuipulotu, 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Finn Russell (cc), 9 Ben White, 8 Jack Dempsey, 7 Rory Darge (cc), 6 Matt Fagerson, 5 Scott Cummings, 4 Grant Gilchrist, 3 Zander Fagerson, 2 George Turner, 1 Pierre Schoeman
Replacements: 16 Ewan Ashman, 17 Alec Hepburn, 18 Elliot Millar-Mills, 19 Sam Skinner, 20 Andy Christie, 21 George Horne, 22 Ben Healy, 23 Cameron Redpath
France: 15 Thomas Ramos, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Gaël Fickou, 12 Jonathan Danty, 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10 Matthieu Jalibert, 9 Maxime Lucu, 8 Grégory Alldritt (c), 7 Charles Ollivon, 6 François Cros, 5 Paul Gabrillagues, 4 Cameron Woki, 3 Uini Atonio, 2 Peato Mauvaka, 1 Cyril Baille
Replacements: 16 Julien Marchard, 17 Sébastien Taofifenua, 18 Dorian Aldegheri, 19 Posolo Tuilagi, 20 Alexandre Roumat, 21 Paul Boudehent, 22 Nolann Le Garrec, 23 Yoram Moefana
Head to Head (6 Nations Only)
2023 6N Paris France 33-21 Scotland (Tries 4-3 )
2022 6N Edinburgh Scotland 17-36 France (Tries 2-6)
2021 6N Paris France 23-27 Scotland (Tries 3-3)
2020 6N Edinburgh Scotland 28-17 France (Tries 3-2)
2019 6N Paris France 27-10 Scotland (Tries 4-1)
2018 6N Edinburgh Scotland 32-26 France (Tries 2-2)
2017 6N Paris France 22-16 Scotland (Tries 1-2)
The Betting
Scotland -3.5 points
France +4.5 points
Note, odds quoted are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change.
Betting Angle
This is a tough one for a few reasons.
France were totally outplayed last week and as well as Ireland performed the French were poor. Their 6 Nations chances have been blown on the opening weekend and the question is whether they bounce back to their best or perform at the sort of level we saw in Marseilles?
The 2nd question is around Scotland. Based on that 1st half against Wales I would have had them start as favourite at home but the 2nd half was so poor it is tough to have any faith in them.
Finally my handicap (done Sunday in the forum ) where other punters will share thoughts and bets all week) was exactly where the bookies have set it.
Plenty to ponder during the week and I will be back with a suggested bet on Thursday or Friday.
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Update: 9 Feb 07h25
The panel were quite bullish about points on last nights show but the current weather forecast doesn’t look great and any points plays will be made on the day and posted in the forum.
This handicap has remained firm and I think it is well set. I am expecting a really close game and will take an interest in the Tribet “Any other result” meaning neither team can win by more than 6 points.
BET: 2 units Tribet “Any Other result” at 16/10 at WSB
Note, odds are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
