The China Mail - Scotland coach Townsend hails 'instinctive' France ahead of key Six Nations game

The former Scotland and British and Irish Lions international featured for two leading French clubs in Brive and Montpellier during his playing days, but he now believes the elite Top 14 is "on a different level from what it was when I was there".

Reigning champions France have been the team of the Six Nations so far, with 18 tries across a trio of bonus-point wins.

Another such victory in Edinburgh would see them retain their Six Nations title with a game to spare and leave them on course for a Grand Slam heading into their 'Super Saturday' finale at home to England on March 14.

But a win for Scotland could see them leapfrog the French at the top of the table, with victories over England and Wales following a lacklustre first-round loss away to Italy.

France have long had a reputation for an attacking game distinctively different from that seen in the largely Anglo-Saxon world of rugby union.

Townsend, once a noted playmaker, sees that tradition on show in a youthful France side, with wing Louis Bielle-Biarrey, still only 22, setting a new record by scoring a try in an eighth consecutive Six Nations match during a 33-8 win over Italy in Lille last time out.

"There's lots to like," Townsend said after naming his side on Thursday which shows five changes to the team that edged Wales 26-23 a fortnight ago.

"They're the best players in the world at adapting to fractured defences in space."

"In France you don't see an attack shape as clearly as other teams. That is sort of pure, instinctive rugby."

Townsend said recent rule alterations had benefitted a France side that, while blessed with a powerful pack, features several outstanding backs in scrum-half Antoine Dupont, fit-again fly-half Matthieu Jalibert and 21-year-old wing Theo Attissogbe.

"The change in the game with contestable kicks being challenged has really benefited a team like France because if you can get the ball back there, you've not got a straight defensive line," he explained.

"You've got somebody who's up a little bit higher, and they're just so good (at exploiting that).

- 'Different level' -

Townsend, a try-scorer in a celebrated 36-22 win away to France that helped propel Scotland to the 1999 Five Nations title -- the last time they were crowned champions -- keeps a close eye on the Top 14 where Scotland full-back Blair Kinghorn (Toulouse) and scrum-half Ben White (Toulon) both play their club rugby.

"The Top 14 right now is on a different level from what it was when I was there," said Townsend who also insisted France had to "take a lot of credit" for being unafraid to propel youthful talent into the international arena.

"Some of these young guys now are some of the best players in the team," he said.

France coach Fabien Galthie expressed his unhappiness with the size of Murrayfield's away dressing room -- "the smallest in the world" -- after he too announced his side on Thursday, but there was no denying his admiration for Scotland, even if they have not beaten Les Bleus in the Championship since 2021.

The former France scrum-half is particularly wary of a Scotland back-line helmed by the gifted Finn Russell, another veteran of the Top 14 after a spell at Racing 92.

"They have the ability to win the championship," said Galthie.

"They are very aggressive and dynamic up front and, from 10 (fly-half Russell) to 15 (full-back Kinghorn), they possess the best back-line in the United Kingdom.

"Our players know very well that defeat in Scotland is possible."

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