Match Day Programme: France vs Scotland

After an epic encounter in last weeks fixture that saw Scotland complete a second-half come back, the French have beefed up their team and return today on home soil looking to erase last weeks result at Murrayfield. The world cup edges ever closer and hosts France will have it all to do as they look to prepare for the All Blacks on opening night, while the Scots will lock horns with defending champions South Africa in their opening fixture. Thank you for joining us, this is Ultimate Rugby Match Day!

Fixture: France vs Scotland

Venue: Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, France

Kickoff Time: 20:05 (GMT)

Referee: Nic Berry  

Head-to-head Played:

Played: 101

France Wins: 58

Scotland Wins: 40

Draws: 3

Points for:

France: 1,552

Scotland: 1,313 

Biggest winning margin:

Scotland: 28 (13 August, 1912)

France: 42 (25 October, 2003)

Last Meeting:  5 August 2023 – Scotland 25-21 Scotland, Murrayfield, Edinbrugh.

2023 Autumn Nation Series

France

­L 25-21 (a) v Scotland

Scotland

W 25-13 (h) v Italy

W 25-21 (h) v France

2023 Six Nations Results 

France

L 23-29 (h) v France

W 31-14 (h) v Italy

W 10-20 (a) v Scotland

L 10-53 (h) v France

L 29-16 (a) v Ireland

 Scotland

W 23-29 (a) v England

W 35-7 (h) v Wales

L 32-21 (a) France

L 7-22 (h) v Ireland

W 26-14 (h) v Italy

Team News:

France: Only two of last weekend’s starting forwards – second row Cameron Woki and the rookie blindside flank Paul Boudehent – have been retained in todays starting XV. Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack both return, after being among a host of frontline players rested for last week’s loss at Murrayfield.

Scotland: Jamie Ritchie is back to lead Scotland as one of the six changes to Gregor Townsend’s starting line-up for this today’s return leg against France in Saint Etienne. Richie Gray and Grant Gilchrist continue in the second row, whilst there is change on both flanks with captain Ritchie coming in at blindside flanker and Rory Darge at openside.

World Rankings Outcome:

If France win by 15 points or less – France 89.22 Scotland 84.01 France win by more than 15 points – France 89.33, Scotland 83.90 Draw – France 88.22, Scotland 85.01 Scotland win by 15 points or less – France 87.22, Scotland 86.01 Scotland win by more than 15 points – France 86.33, Scotland 86.90

• Nic Berry takes charge of this fixture for the second time, having been in the middle for France’s 27-10 win in the 2019 Six Nations. It will be the third time he referees France this year, having overseen their victories over Italy and Wales in the Six Nations.

• There have been five red cards in the last six fixtures between France and Scotland, Zander Fagerson being the most recent. Fagerson was initially sent to the sin bin for a high challenge on Pierre Bourgarit but the offence was upgraded to a red card after a TMO bunker review. He has been handed a three-week suspension.