KEY BATTLES: Scotland v France

Both sides will head into this match looking to improve on their disappointing defeats in the opening round of the competition. 

France were beaten in the final minute of the game while Scotland were outplayed by a rampant Welsh side.

The two sides have contrasting approaches to the game and will need to win these particular battles to win the game.

Can Scotland find the cracks in the French defence?

Ireland scored all 15 points via the boot of Jonathan Sexton as they struggled to break through France's brick wall defence. The final play saw Ireland retain the ball for over 40 phases without France conceding a single penalty. 

France completed 238 tackles at a completion rate of 94%. 

Scotland poses a deadly backline that will relish the opportunity to breakdown a stellar defence with the Scots beating 19 Welsh defenders and collecting 10 clean breaks but the worry thing for Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend is that they were only able to score 1 try from all those opportunities.  

Prediction: France's defence structure looked solid against Ireland and should 

The Battle of the Front row

As mentioned in our key battles between Scotland and Wales, Scotland have a depleted front row and will be up against arguably the best front row in the Six Nations in Jefferson Poirot, Guilhem Guirado and Rabah Slimani. 

France maintained a 100% success rate at scrum time against a powerful Irish pack and were even able to claim one tighthead, Scotland, on the other hand, lost one of their own scrums against Wales but were also able to claim a tighthead. 

The French pack have also been boosted by the return of the experienced loosehead Eddy Ben Arous on the bench.

Prediction: The French front row should overpower the Scottish front row. Scotland should look to get the ball out quickly on their own feed and will need a big collective effort from all eight forwards on defensive scrums.

The Outside backs

Both sides possess exciting outside backs and will they will look to these players to create and finish off their try-scoring opportunities.

Scotland has selected an-all British and Irish Lions back three in Stuart Hogg, Sean Maitland and Tim Visser. Hogg will look to attack from deep while both Visser and Maitland are renowned for their finishing abilities. 

France has selected the hard running Virimi Vakatawa, Teddy Thomas - who can create something out of nothing and the reliable Geoffrey Palis.

Prediction: Scotland's outside backs should gain more metres and beat more defenders than the French outside backs.