Out come the French too, looking very snazzy in their white tracksuits.

We pause for a moment to recognise the ongoing fight against the scourge of racism.

Benjamin Kayser
Former France hooker on BBC One

This team are super talented. I think it's about building a distance and dominating Scotland to put themselves in the position to get the tries.

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend tells BBC One: "Not playing France a few weeks ago did disrupt our momentum but we've had a good preparation once we knew what players we could pick from.

"[Finishing second] It's a big driver. It would be the best we've ever achieved in the Six Nations. Winning here would also be a big driver, we've not done that since 1999. Both those factors are enough to deliver our best performance."

Stuart Hogg leads Scotland out of an inordinately long tunnel, past the Six nations trophy, and on to the paddock.

It is no surprise that Fabien Galthie has shunted Gael Fickou, his defensive lieutenant, from midfield to the wing tonight. The thought of 6ft 4ins Duhan van der Merwe steaming towards flamboyant but flaky Teddy Thomas would not have appealed to the France coach.

Van der Merwe has taken to Test rugby like a hungry Frenchman to a plate of waffles (sorry) since qualifying on residency last year.

The South Africa-born wing has scored three tries this championship, taking his haul to six in nine caps. And boy, is he an absolute beast on attack.

He has made 432m with ball in hand - two fewer than chart-topping Elliot Daly, who has played an extra game - and broken 30 tackles. That is nearly the double the next-best tally (which happens to belong to Stuart Hogg), and Van der Merwe has only played three games.

Here he is looking like an angry Johnny Bravo en route to one of two tries against Italy. Could he be a Lions bolter?

Image source, SNS

Tonight is probably last chance for Scotland's British and Irish Lions hopefuls to press their cases.

Warren Gatland, the tourists' coach, will be watching keenly. He has taken precious few Scots on the previous two tours of Australia and New Zealand, largely because of their inconsistency and failure to win big matches away from home.

In fact, Scottish Lions are so rare that they must be near the top of WWF's endangered species list.

Can any of Townsend's men force their way in tonight?

Image source, SNS

Colin Gregor
Former Scotland Sevens captain on BBC Radio Scotland

For Scotland to win, Ali Price has to be on point tonight and has to be on fire to completely control the game.

Seventeen months since his 49th cap, Ryan Wilson is at last poised to hit 50.

The Glasgow skipper has been called up to the Scotland squad this week, after a training injury to Matt Fagerson.

Nick Haining shifts from the bench to number eight, with Wilson among the replacements.

The back-row has been playing some seriously dynamic, snarling stuff on Pro14 duty this term, and is no stranger to a spot of skulduggery.

His inclusion only cakes another layer of narrative onto this fascinating Test.

As for the man-bun... well, the less said, the better.

Image source, SNS

Right, Scotland's replacements are practicing chip-kicks in the Parisian downpour. Get ready for some bonkerdom.

It is, judging by the TV coverage, absolutely tipping it down in the French capital. How very Caledonian.

There is brilliance everywhere you look in this French squad. It is why they were many people's title favourites heading in to the tournament, and why they are already being touted as world champions-in-waiting when the global showpiece comes to France in 2023.

They have never lacked for elan and power, but at long last, Fabien Galthie and his outstanding coaching ticket has given them structure, organisation, streetsmarts, discipline, defensive ferocity, and unprecedented levels of fitness.

France are a fabulous team and they will feel entirely capable of winning the lot tonight.

Image source, Getty Images

John Barclay
Former Scotland captain on BBC One

Benjamin Kayser
Former France hooker on BBC One

While side-stepping my heavily loaded question about the absence of Sean Maitland as thought skipping past a lumbering prop, Stuart Hogg did tell us how "hacked off" he was becoming at certain comments during his captain's press conference.

Speaking from Paris yesterday, Hogg said: "A lot has been said that's beginning to hack me off, The fact that they've got to get 21 points. We read a quote from one of their players saying that they've got a trophy to win. As a proud Scotsman, that hurt me a lot.

"We win by eight points, and we finish the highest we've ever finished in a Six Nations. That's the motivation for us. It's going to be one hell of a challenge, an open game of rugby, and we're really, really excited for it."

France-based agency journalist Illtud Dafydd gives us a wee glance at what the papers are saying in Paris today. Quite the night for Illtud, as a Welshman himself.

Former Scotland number eight Johnnie Beattie is always a fascinating listen on all things French rugby.

The big fella still lives on the southwest coast, near Biarritz, having spent the latter half of his career with Castres, Montpellier and Bayonne, playing under Fabien Galthie.

Here, he joins former Scotland captain Rory Lawson and BBC Scotland's man of rugby, Andy Burke, to preview the game. Do have a listen if you're seeking some pre-match insights.

Scotland's matador himself, Finn Russell, is fit again and regains his place in the side at stand-off.

And boy, could Scotland use his magic, leadership and spark.

The pivot, of course, plays his club rugby in the French capital with the Galacticos of Racing 92. France centre Virimi Vakatawa is one of the side's biggest attacking weapons and the pair combine to such beautiful effect.

If Scotland are to have any success tonight, their resident Parisian must be on top form.

Here he is flinging away an off-load while being tackled by France captain, Charles Ollivon.

Image source, Getty Images

Look, I could rustle up a post extolling the excellence of nearly every member of this France squad, but if we're going to pick out anyone in particular, let's keep an eye on Antoine Dupont.

More qualified rugby aficionados than I reckon he's the best scrum-half in the game right now. Some put him as the form player in the world, full stop.

Image source, Getty Images

Dupont is an insane talent. Watch for his searing snipes around the fringes of rucks, his audacious off-loads, and beast-like strength despite a modest stature. He has got the lot, and if Scotland leave gaps for him to exploit, the 23-year-old will lay waste.

Peter Wright
Former Scotland prop on BBC Radio Scotland

Alright, so that daft headline is used every other year when Scotland play in France and the Paris hoodoo looms into view once more.

Gregor Townsend must be sick of answering questions about the day Scotland carved up the Stade de France en route to the final Five Nations title in 1999.

What he would give to create more history tonight.

Here's a reminder of what happened on that famous day 22 years ago.