France vs. Scotland: 5 Key Battles in International Match
France and Scotland will engage in a final warm-up encounter on Saturday prior to seeing their Rugby World Cup campaigns get underway, with stars from both teams still fighting to secure their places.
The World Cup squads may have been decided, but coaches Philippe Saint-Andre and Vern Cotter will still be running the rule over who should start for their respective sides come the big show.
Saturday's Stade de France showdown will be the final chance for some fringe figures to stake their claim on a starting place, and a win in Paris would provide an opportune boost heading into a major tournament.
Read on for discussion of the key battles likely to dictate Saturday's tie in the French capital.
1. Scott Spedding vs. Sean Maitland
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Sean Maitland makes a timely Scotland return at full-back this weekend, when he's aiming to prove Cotter's selection right and put any shoulder woes firmly in the rear-view mirror.
Stuart Hogg will, of course, stand as Cotter's first choice in the No. 15 jersey, but there's no reason Maitland can't prove his own credentials in the role depending on Saturday's head-to-head with Scott Spedding.
The South African convert was in towering form against England at the Stade de France in August and will seek to break enemy lines once again, as well as offering France a superb aerial avenue.
It makes for a physically demanding return as far as Maitland will be concerned, but the former Glasgow Warriors star back can be an elusive figure of his own when playing at his optimum.
2. Louis Picamoles vs. David Denton
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A string of bulldozing performances from France's Louis Picamoles have seen the No. 8 emerge as a key asset for Les Bleus of late, but the same could be said of Scotland's David Denton.
Two of the heaviest carriers currently enjoying fine form in Europe, a large chunk of any yards made this weekend will rest with how these two can peel and crash their respective teams forth.
In that respect, a lot will come down to ball retention, and while one might expect the French hosts to get a grip of possession, Scotland have been buoyed by a recent hammering of Italy and look capable of contending.
When Saint-Andre's selection is right, the French scrum tends to work like a well-oiled machine, but Denton will strive to be a steadying presence for the visitors, who have to make a hefty challenge at the set piece.
3. Mathieu Bastareaud vs. Mark Bennett
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It may have been a downtrodden Italy defence that Mark Bennett soared against last Saturday, but the centre was nonetheless impressive as he rampaged for 113 metres and one try in Edinburgh, per ESPN Scrum.
Cotter's midfield star is a much different asset to France counterpart Mathieu Bastareaud in that the Toulon midfielder tends to make his yards in a far more direct manner, with Bennett preferring stealthier routes.
He and Matt Scott have the potential to become a real strength of this Scottish side, and depending on whether Wesley Fofana can be quietened on Saturday, the influence of the French backs can be limited.
Attaining form has been a struggle for the hot-and-cold Bastareaud over the past year or so, but Bennett is a man on a mission of late and is readily able to exploit any space through France's core.
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4. Thierry Dusautoir vs. Ryan Wilson
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Thierry Dusautoir puts his knee injury in the rear-view mirror to captain France this weekend, starting opposite Scotland's Ryan Wilson at blind-side in what will be a welcome look at the flanker's form.
Dusautoir hasn't featured from France since their defeat to England in March and will be motivated to give his team a final boost before they blaze a trail for England later this month.
While the Frenchman has been a regular of Les Bleus for years now, Wilson has been in and out of the Scotland setup since making his debut in 2013, despite possessing some considerable off-ball attributes.
Rugby World's Gavin Mortimer reported French newspaper Midi's claims regarding a concern over the leadership figures in Saint-Andre's side, but Dusautoir comes back on Saturday to give the team an edge in that department.
5. Sebastien Tillous-Borde vs. Greig Laidlaw
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Sam Hidalgo-Clyne will be forced to wait his turn as Cotter appears set on sticking with Greig Laidlaw as his first-choice No. 9 for the World Cup, having also been named captain for the tournament.
France's scrum-half selection is even more contentious than Scotland's at present, but Sebastien Tillous-Borde has kept his place in the XV to face the Scots, with no small amount of pressure on his shoulders.
Gloucester Rugby's official Twitter account quoted Laidlaw on the "honour" of being able to lead his country, something Cotter is hoping will coax the best out of a man who can dictate his side's success in Paris.
Tillous-Borde will use this as a chance to distance himself from Morgan Parra and Rory Kockott in the French pecking order, as both scrum-halves seek to offer quick, reliable ball to a pair of back lines yearning to be set loose.
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