Allez les rouge? Yep, France are playing in red this evening, as you may or may have not heard. They've done it before, but it was during a sepia-tinged age. It might take some getting used to. Scotland gather, boot it to touch - but Scotland then disrupt the French line-out.

Toot! That's the sound of referee Nigel Owens getting the game started. We're off!

Image source, AFP

France, as you'd expect with 80,000-strong voices backing them, win the battle of the anthems and Tricolor flags are waved manically around the stadium. There's something in the air tonight, a promise of something magical.

The players make the long, tension-filled walk from the changing rooms to the pitch. There's intake of breaths, the calming of nerves... hearts are beating faster and faster... the decibels are rising inside the stadium... and what sounds like Carmina Burana (though probably isn't) rings around the Stade de France.

Image source, BBC Sport

Vern Cotter's Scotland are a confident outfit these days, beating Argentina in the autumn and pushing the All Blacks close. They also have strength in depth, which is not something you could have said a few years ago. It could be a cracker.

Image source, BBC Sport

If history tells us anything, it tells us the omens aren't good for Scotland this evening. Not only do France boast a 100% home record in their opening Six Nations matches - but Scotland have beaten Les Bleus only once in 14 opening-weekend matches. That's the worst kind of record. In fact, it's the worst record of its kind in the competition.

Image source, Dennis Williams

Northampton Saints fan Dennis Williams:, external Stade de France party

Image source, Reuters

France coach Philippe Saint-Andre speaking to BBC Sport: "It is very important for French rugby to start this tournament well. We know that it will be a physical test against Scotland. It will be an emotional Marseillaise today after what happened in January in Paris, but the players need to focus on the game."

Gregor Townsend
Former Scotland international on BBC One

"Jonny Gray has the workrate, mindset and real rugby intelligence. He called the line-out in the autumn and had a success rate of more than 90%. He could be a mainstay for the side for years to come."

Image source, BBC Sport

The cameras focused on Jonny Gray as he was limbering up on a crisp Parisian evening and it's no wonder people are talking about the second-row because he's enjoyed a remarkable start to his international career, winning eight caps since his debut in November 2013 and - remarkably - missing just one tackle. Remarkable.

Margaret Corbally:, external 2 away wins so far, can Scotland make it 3? Fingers crossed!

David Duncan:, external Can Scotland for once live up to the promise shown in the autumn test?? A country hopes so.

Brad Hobson:, external Scotland need to be disciplined early on as I think new French players may give cheap penalties if pressured.

Chris Paterson
Former Scotland international on BBC One

"We have to challenge the outside channels where the French leave space sometimes. If we are accurate we can have some success. A lot depends on what France do, but Scotland under Vern Cotter are an exciting side and I'm looking forward to it."

The teams are warming-up on the pitch, so it seems appropriate to tell you who they are:

France: Spedding, Huget, Bastareaud, Fofana, Thomas, Lopez, Kockott, Menini, Guirado, Slimani, Pape, Maestri, Le Roux, Dusautoir, Chouly.

Replacements: Kayser, Atonio, Ben Arous, Taofifenua, Goujon, Parra, Tales, Lamerat.

Scotland: Hogg, Seymour, Bennett, Dunbar, Visser, Russell, Laidlaw, Dickinson, Ford, Murray, R. Gray, J. Gray, Harley, Cowan, Beattie.

Replacements: F. Brown, Reid, Cross, Hamilton, Strokosch, Hidalgo-Clyne, Horne, Fife.

Gabby Logan prepared for this evening's match at the Stade de France as if she were planning on slaloming down some slopes. "Paris survival kit," the presenter tweeted,, external with pictures of fur-lined boots, a woolly hat and hand warmers. Fail to prepare, prepare to get frostbite, as they say.

Scotland coach Vern Cotter speaking to BBC Sport: "I think that the players will play with enthusiasm on this the occasion of the the first match of the Six Nations. There is a desire to carry the ball and try and put the French in difficulty.

"We are focussed on making sure we can vary our play. Scotland will win here again some day, whether it is today or not we will have to wait and see. But we are going to give it our best shot."

Image source, BBC Sport

The '90s - Oasis, combat pants, Noel's House Party... and two Scotland victories in the French capital, the last of which came in 1999 thanks to a little help from Gregor Townsend. Will there be more disappointment in the French capital for the Scots?

Image source, Getty Images

A lot has happened in the last 46 years. We've seen eight American presidents, nine British Prime Ministers; we've started tweeting, snap-chatting, Facebook(ing); lived through the first human face transplant - and the Boston Red Sox even won a World Series! But Scotland have managed just the two victories in Paris...

Plenty to work on for Ireland then.

But if you are going to throw in a shoddy Six Nations performance then best to do it against Italy...

Now we are going to switch sights to Paris, where Scotland are chasing an away win over France.

Something they last did back in the days when Keith Wood's barber was still deploying scissors. Aimee Lewis to take you through this one.

Keith Wood
Former Ireland hooker on BBC One

"Those two tries put a gloss on what was a poor performance by Ireland so you'd expect change against France."