France vs Scotland Six Nations

France and Scotland will conclude their 2025 Six Nations campaign with a pivotal clash at the Stade de France on March 15. France currently lead the way in the standings with 16 points, closely followed by England with 15, and Ireland with 14, while Scotland have 11 points to their name. France can secure the title with a four-try bonus point.

However, France will face challenges on the injury front, and this could impact their chances of success. Scotland, under head coach Gregor Thompson, will be out to capitalise on the situation. Thompson knows his team have a chance, but they will have to keep errors to a minimum while maintaining a high level of performance throughout. With the title on the line, this is the most important game in the final round of the tournament.

The rugby rivalry between France and Scotland started way back in January 1910, when Scotland secured a commanding 27-0 victory over the French in Edinburgh. This inaugural match marked the beginning of a fixture that has evolved over the years.

During the amateur era, the contests were relatively balanced. Up to the end of the Rugby World Cup in 1995, the two nations had met 67 times, with France victorious on 33 occasions and Scotland winning 31 times. However, the professional era has seen France take control, winning 27 of 36 contests, which supports France vs Scotland being a game where the hosts are very much the overwhelming favourites.

In 2018, the Auld Alliance Trophy was introduced to commemorate the French and Scottish rugby players who lost their lives during World War 1, notably captains Eric Milroy and Marcel Burgun of Scotland and France, respectively. The trophy is contested annually during the Six Nations.

As of today, there have been 103 meetings between France and Scotland, with France winning 60 times, Scotland 40 times, and three matches ending in draws. This rivalry continues to be a highlight of the tournament.

France are one of the standout teams in the 2025 Six Nations, leading the table with 16 points heading into the final round. They began their campaign with a dominant 43-0 win over Wales, followed by a narrow 26-25 defeat to England, where a late try denied them victory. They were back to their best when they won 73-24 against Italy and followed that up with a stunning 42-27 win over Italy, which has seen France installed as the odds-on favourites to win the Championship according to the Six Nations betting.

Scotland are currently sat fourth in the standings as the finale approaches, with 11 points to their name. They opened with a 31-19 victory over Italy before losing to defending champions Ireland 32-16, their 11th straight loss at the hands of the Irish. A close 16-15 reverse to England followed, with a failure to convert conversions proving costly. However, a 35-29 win over Wales has them back on track, and Gregor Townsend’s men will be aiming to finish on a high.

France

The news has broken that France face an uphill challenge against Scotland in many ways as their captain and scrum-half, Antoine Dupont, has been ruled out due to a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament injury sustained in their win over Ireland. This injury is a major blow, with Dupont now set to miss months of action. In his absence, Maxime Lucu is set to start at scrum-half. Lupont replaced Dupont against Ireland.

Emilien Gailleton is also unavailable for France due to a partial posterior cruciate ligament tear in his knee. However, the French remain a strong outfit, with Romain Ntamack, Damian Penaud, and Gregory Alldritt fit and ready to go.

Scotland

Scotland have been boosted ahead of their Six Nations match against France with four new players added to their squad. Kyle Stern returns after injury, alongside Adam Hastings, who is back in contention. Alexander Masibaka and Jack Mann have also been called up for the game.

In Scotland’s backline, co-captain Finn Russell remains pivotal, orchestrating the team’s attacking play. Winger Darcy Graham, who recently returned from injury, has the pace and finishing to trouble the French, while flanker Jamie Ritchie is in great form ahead of the Stade de France showdown.

There will be several intriguing tactical player battles to keep an eye on at the Stade de France as France host Scotland in a crucial tie.

Romain Ntamack vs Finn Russell

The fly-half duel between France’s Romain Ntamack and Scotland’s Finn Russell is set to be a fantastic watch. Ntamack’s composure and ability to orchestrate France’s backline make him a pivotal presence, especially with Antoine Dupont absent. Russell, known for his flair and unpredictability, can unlock defences with his play. The fly-half who better manages the tempo of the game will likely steer their team in the right direction.

Gregory Alldritt vs Jack Dempsey

In the back row, France’s number 8 Gregory Alldritt faces Scotland’s Jack Dempsey. Alldritt’s relentless work rate, ball-carrying strength, and defensive solidity give France a platform to build off of. Dempsey, explosive in the carry, offers Scotland momentum in open play. This contest at the base of the scrum will be crucial as both players battle to gain the upper hand and get their team on the front foot.

Oscar Jegou vs Jamie Ritchie

Another clash to keep an eye on is the one between France’s Oscar Jegou and Scotland’s Jamie Ritchie. Jegou’s recent performances have shown him to be versatile, which has prompted discussions about the evolving roles of forwards in modern rugby. Ritchie has regained form after a dip, and he will be looking to use his wealth of experience to get the better of a young up-and-comer.

The Stade de France, located in Saint-Denis, just north of Paris in France, is the venue for France vs Scotland in the 2025 Six Nations finale. With a capacity of over 80,000, the hosts will be hoping the home crowd can get them over the line in the 20:00 kick-off, securing the title in the process.

The conditions will be close to perfect on Saturday evening. With no rain expected and low wind levels, both France and Scotland will be able to play the game on their terms without any weather-related issues.

If you checked the Six Nations betting before the last game, it appeared highly likely that Ireland would defeat France and go on to win their third title in a row. However, the result of that match has changed everything, with France now on course to bag the 2025 Six Nations crown on home soil.

Of course, it’s not a foregone conclusion, as France’s contest against Ireland proved not to be. And France are without their captain and talisman, Antoine Dupont. This could open the door for Scotland to take advantage, which could then see both Ireland and England in with a shot of snatching the title away from the French at the very last moment.