France are missing winger Gabin Villiere, who helped himself to a hat-trick of tries in the opening win against Italy.

He is replaced by Jonathan Danty, who comes in at 12, with Yoram Moefana moving out wide.

France: Jaminet, Penaud, Fickou, Danty, Moefana, Ntamack, Dupont; Baille, Marchand, Atonio, Woki, Willemse, Cros, Jelonch, Alldritt.

Replacements: Mauvaka, Gros, Bamba, Taofifenua, Flament, Cretin, Lucu, Ramos.

There was another blow for Scotland to contend with yesterday as Hamish Watson tested positive for Covid.

The all-action flanker was voted player of the Six Nations last year and never gives opponents a moment of peace.

His Edinburgh team-mate Nick Haining comes into the starting line-up at 6, with Rory Darge taking on Watson's number 7 duties on his first international start.

Magnus Bradbury makes up the new look back row, starting his first Scotland game since 2020.

Scotland: Hogg, Graham, Harris, Tuipulotu, Van der Merwe, Russell, Price; Schoeman, McInally, Z Fagerson, Skinner, Gilchrist, Haining, Darge, Bradbury

Replacements: Turner, Kebble, Nel, Hodgson, Christie, White, Kinghorn, Bennett

Image source, SNS

As ever we'd love to know all your thoughts, theories and rants about today's action so get in touch via Twitter or text - and if texting, don't forget to include your name and where you are, and we'll post the best on here.

Scotland came into the tournament with a clean bill of health, which is very rare in a sport where 18 stone forwards clatter into each other with merry abandon and love nothing more than mangling 15 stone wingers.

It's a very different story now.

Jamie Ritchie, Matt Fagerson, Jonny Gray and Rory Sutherland, all pretty much nailed on starters, have been lost to injuries, along with the luckless Cam Redpath.

Image source, SNS

The TV build-up is up and running on BBC One.

You can tune in via the link at the top of the page.

There will be radio coverage along from 14:00.

France may be at the summit of the standings at the moment but they haven't finished the tournament on top since 2010.

A settled side is studded with stars and head coach Fabien Galthie is as cunning as they come, while defence coach Shaun Edwards is widely regarded as the best in the business.

In November, they walloped New Zealand 40-25 in Paris.

They've been Six Nations runners-up in the past two seasons, so is this finally their year?

Image source, SNS

"We know it's our last opportunity," said Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend when naming his matchday squad on Thursday.

"We believe in our team but it is our last chance to be in the race for a trophy at the end of the season.

"We have to put everything into this at the weekend and deliver what we're capable of."

It's round three in the Six Nations and the action starts at Murrayfield.

France sit top of the table after wins over Italy and Ireland and have played some scintillating stuff in spells.

Scotland followed a tight win over England with a tight loss to Wales.

It was a rather insipid display in Cardiff, but it should be a different story in Edinburgh with a raucous crowd roaring the home team on.

And Scotland do have a rather good recent record against the French...

Image source, BBC Sport