Scotland vs France Preview

Both teams will be desperate for a win in Edinburgh on Sunday after opening round defeats - France fell to an agonising after-the-hooter-drop-goal defeat against Ireland in Paris, while Scotland suffered a bubble-bursting shellacking in Cardiff. Scottish hopes had been high coming into the tournament after an impressive November run, but they were shattered in 80 humiliating minutes against a Scarlets-tipped Wales. As our rugby union betting previews show, they will need to bounce back quickly against Jacques Brunel's battered and patched-up French, who will be missing as many as 11 regular starters due to injury.

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Scotland vs France Prediction

That long injury list looks set to cost new-look France dearly as they look to build on a Six Nations' record-breaking defensive effort against Ireland. And Scotland - who themselves will be without wing Byron McGuigan, lock Richie Gray and centre Duncan Taylor - are unlikely to be as careless in attack or as dim-witted in defence as they were at the Principality Stadium last weekend. With France-bound fly-half Finn Russell guiding proceedings, it's hard to see Scotland losing this one at Murrayfield. But the rugby union odds suggest it will be a close-run affair. Despite everything, France still carry that air of unpredictability. It would only take another breath-taking Teddy Thomas run, or for Louis Picamoles to rampage through the Scottish defence a few times for French confidence to hit the roof - which is exactly what Scotland coach Gregor Townsend wouldn't want.

Scotland vs France Betting Tips

The notion of French flair has taken a pounding in recent years, but Les Bleus have still had the beating of Scotland. Between 2000 and 2017, France won 18 of the 20 matches between the two sides. It included a decade-long winning streak that came to an end in Edinburgh in March 2016. That said, Scotland's recent form - until Wales last weekend - has been far superior to that of the French, which explains why bookmakers like Betway are offering such short odds on a home win on Sunday. The Scots proved in November - when they came within a whisker of beating New Zealand - that they can trouble the best sides in the world. If they can get anywhere near their All Black-scaring free-flowing best, they will have the beating of France.

It would be wrong, however, to write off the French entirely, for all that their fabled 'flair' may be flickering and sputtering. Yes, they have been so ravaged by injury that long-forgotten 32-year-old fly-half Lionel Beauxis has been recalled, but they are still strong in defence and - as Thomas proved in Paris last weekend - capable of individual brilliance in attack. So, while Scotland are likely to supply the breath-taking play, in a reversal of expected roles France could bring the dogged determination. Think the Lions in New Zealand last June. This could be closer than many people think… Odd Digger's Rugby Union betting tips suggests that this game will be very close, with Unibet's odds typical of those on offer.