France vs Scotland: 5 Key Battles That Will Shape 2015 Six Nations Clash
France and Scotland meet on Saturday hoping to each give their 2015 Six Nations campaigns the perfect start and escape the mediocrity of recent years.
Each side comes in this year's tournament with enigmatic prospects. The Scots are looking to profit from Vern Cotter's tutelage while a new wave of stars under Philippe Saint-Andre's command seek to create a fresh era of success for Les Bleus.
It promises to be a clash that will dictate where in the pecking order these two sides place at the Six Nations, and we discuss five of the key battles likely to decide which European power comes out on top.
1. Wesley Fofana vs. Alex Dunbar
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Mathieu Bastareaud's wavering form in the French centres has caused an unfamiliar case of uncertainty for Saint-Andre's back line, but one playmaker who remains at his most potent is Wesley Fofana.
The Clermont maestro will line up opposite Alex Dunbar, who since making his senior international debut in 2013 has quickly risen to account for one half of what looks to be a potential Scottish centre staple for years to come.
The Glasgow Warriors' No. 12 is looking to pick up some fine Six Nations form once again this year, having scored a brace of tries against Italy last year en route to a clutch 21-20 triumph in Rome.
Dunbar may not boast the same line-bursting allure that Fofana does, but his importance to Scotland in crafting any chances through their back line is no less significant.
The likes of Tommy Seymour and Stuart Hogg will be looking to drift off the Scottish inside centre and offer help through midfield, but in Paris, it could be that Dunbar's defensive duties become the most scrutinised aspect of his display.
2. Pascal Pape vs. Jonny Gray
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Jonny Gray's ascendancy over the past two years of his international career has been a joy to behold, going from simply "the younger brother of Castres' Richie" to a Scottish powerhouse in his own regard.
The Glasgow youngster may have benefited from Grant Gilchrist's broken arm leading into the November Test series, but once there, Gray justified his selection and then some.
The Six Nations is a far more demanding and prolonged test of character, however, one that French lock and former captain Pascal Pape is far more learned in.
Gray may bring a deep resource of vitality and promise to Cotter's squad, but there's a lot to be said for the tricks picked up by seasoned professionals in these contests.
In terms of young locks impressing on raw talent alone, there are few of Gray's age showing the same type of potential he is. That being said, the Scots will look to disrupt a French pack still welcoming its share of new faces in Paris, where Gray's mammoth tug-of-war against Pape could hold huge sway.
3. Scott Spedding vs. Stuart Hogg
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Of all the foreign faces to have been drafted into the French squad under residency laws of late, arguably none impressed throughout the autumn Test series as consistently as Bayonne's Scott Spedding.
The South Africa-born full-back played every minute of France's three November outings and his responsibility is now even greater after emerging as a stating contender, even if Brice Dulin is back in the squad after injury.
He has an almighty task in restraining Stuart Hogg, who at Murrayfield last year was arguably the brightest spark for the Scots' back line and single-handedly engineered their opening try.
Spedding possesses a substantial aerial threat of his own, but the No. 15 will be more aware of Hogg's efforts to send bombs upwards and position himself readily for what's to come.
Les Bleus' emerging full-back star, bound for Clermont in 2015, will be wary of stepping too far outside his limits for risk of punishment from one as capable as Hogg.
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4. Teddy Thomas vs. Tommy Seymour
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After being dropped in the autumn for failing to turn up to a training session, it would appear Teddy Thomas has done enough to get back into coach Saint-Andre's good graces.
The man who scored four tries in his first two Tests is a welcome return for the French, too, as Tommy Seymour brings his own threat as part of a potentially devastating Scottish back three.
The Glasgow Warrior whiz faces a huge examination of his defensive skills in Paris, having seen Thomas throw the efforts of Fiji and Australia to the wayside in November.
Racing Metro's up-and-coming superstar is physically a phenomenal character, but so often in young starlets of this sort can their positioning not be of the same standard, an area in which Seymour may look to pounce.
His communication with Greig Laidlaw and Finn Russell will be of grave importance if they're to put Thomas on the back-foot and stop France opening up space for their speedster.
5. Rory Kockott vs. Greig Laidlaw
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Captain Laidlaw has so often been looked upon as the man to take Scotland out of a sorry situation or two of late, whether it be with his orchestral passing presence or through his kicking exploits.
And it will be no different in the French capital, but the individual contest he comes up against in the shape of Rory Kockott adds another rather significant pressure to his plate.
Like the aforementioned Spedding, Kockott is a South African import proving to be very valuable to his adopted nation and could form part of a playmaking combo alongside Camille Lopez that proves to be extremely beneficial for the French.
Laidlaw may not have the same depth of options in terms of fly-half partners, which only further highlights his own need to bring consistently fast service to the back line, not to mention maintaining accuracy from the tee.
The Gloucester scrum-half is far from the most experienced member of Cotter's squad, but a surge in recent years has led to Laidlaw becoming Scotland's Mr. Reliable in many ways.
Kockott won't be shy of attempting to disrupt his opposite number in any number of ways, with Sebastien Tillous-Borde and Morgan Parra bringing cover from the bench to give the Scottish captain an assuredly tough 80 minutes.
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