6 Nations 2013 - France v Scotland

You could have put as large an amount of money as you’d wanted on Ireland getting the wooden spoon in the 6 Nations this year and been given an generous price with little or no limit but that’s the scenario that faces them in the face after their defeat against Italy today; A France win by a large enough margin will condemn the men in green to their first wooden spoon of the 6 Nations era, and with that just a 1/5 eventuality this game could be accurately described as a dead rubber particularly after Wales ripped England to shreds to retain their championship title.

However that would be disrespectful towards Scotland, who have surpassed all expectations during this 6 Nations with their two wins during the championship more than most would have dared to hope for after their horror show during the Autumn during which they lost every game including their defeat to Tonga. France cemented a position as 6 Nations title favourites with stunning defeats of Australia, Argentina and also subduing Samoa with tremendous ease to earn themselves a spot as the fourth best team in the world in the rankings at the time, but they’re now only one game away from the Wooden Spoon after a disgraceful tournament to say the least. A limp opening weekend defeat against Italy, they’ve gotten slowly better but have still gotten no better than a draw in their 4 games and even in the horrendous rain against Ireland they messed up what had looked like a match winning charge in Dublin when held to yet another draw.

Scotland were brushed aside with a fair amount of ease by Wales but the past hour and a half has shown just how good a side they are, and it’s a credit to Scotland that they kept the score respectable despite giving away so many penalties that a record amount of successful three point kicks in a championship game since the tournament extended 13 years ago. Scott Johnson’s appointment as coach has worked absolute wonders for the team in terms of not only playing style but self belief in an attacking style too. With Stuart Hogg, Tim Visser and Sean Maitland providing blistering pace from the back three, Scotland now have a proper try threat, as Italy found out to their cost on week two, and they were stronger than Ireland mentally and physically at Murrayfield. Scotland on the road is a different matter, but considering their dreadful run this year and in the 6 Nations in general – France’s last win was against Scotland – it’s very surprising to see a 13 point handicap given to the French, who have failed to play with any conviction for a full match this year and have been prone to heads dropping quickly when the momentum of a game changes; and while the dangerous French individual talent is more than capable of breaking the Scottish line, their set piece has improved tremendously over the past few months and they can keep things respectable at the least to end a successful campaign.

Advice

1 pt Scotland +13 (10/11 Hills)