Six Nations Forecasts: Scotland Vs France

The last of this weekends' games sees Scotland take on a well rested France. Scotland have lost both games so far - a poor performance against England seeing them eclipsed and a better performance against Wales seeing them beaten by a larger margin after a mad few minutes at the start of the second half. France meanwhile looked solid, if not spectacular, against a decent Italian side three weeks ago, so what will happen here.

It's difficult, if not impossible, to see an area on the field where Scotland are superior to France. Whilst the Scottish pack could be decent, its failure to dominate and often to even match a fledgling English one will clearly be a worry - whilst Denton and Gray are outstanding the loss of Murray due to his faith will be an issue for the Scots. Perhaps the best way to summarise the French pack is to say that leaving out Imanol Harinordoquy - twice nominated as World player of the year - is not that much of a problem! One would have to feel the Scottish pack will do well not to be eaten alive, let alone hold its own.

Unfortunately for Scotland as we move to the backs, things get worse, Scotlands threadbare situation is well noted; for the French however, well there's Rougerie, Fofana, Medard, Palisson, Malzieu, Clerc, Poitrenaud - you get the picture.

To try to counter the obvious, you could say that Scotland are always strongest at home and France are always weakest away - Scotland have won nearly 70% of their matches at Murrayfield, with the most recent being just 3 games ago in 2006. You could also state that in their last three games France's only loss came against the only team that Scotland beat - Italy.

Realistically, despite rather desperate use of statistics I can't see anything other than a French victory, being at Murrayfield I don't think it will be a massacre as it might have been at the Stade de France so I'll go for France by 10

What do you think? Where do I have it right / wrong?