Brown 'won't take a backward step' against France

Gregor Brown gets his chance in the Scotland starting XV against title-chasing France

Guinness Six Nations 2025: France v Scotland

Venue: Stade de France, Paris Date: Saturday, 15 March Kick-off: 20:00 GMT

Coverage: Listen live on BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio Scotland Extra & BBC Sounds, live text coverage and highlights on BBC Sport app & website.

As first Six Nations starts go, being pitched in against a rampant French side looking to win the title under the lights at Stade de France is about as daunting as they come.

And that is exactly the situation Scotland lock Gregor Brown will find himself in come Saturday night in Paris.

Many have felt that the Scottish second row - featuring two outstanding Test servants in the shape of Grant Gilchrist and Jonny Gray - has lacked a little dynamism in this championship, and perhaps that explains why Gregor Townsend has turned to the 23-year-old Glasgow Warrior to add some youthful energy.

"He's just turned into a real top quality, sort of nuts-and-bolts number four," said Fraser Brown, BBC pundit and a former team-mate at Glasgow.

"He's maybe a little bit on the short side for a second row, but what he lacks a little bit in height, he certainly doesn't lack in effort.

"Defensively, he works really hard. He works like a back-rower in the second row. Good lineout option, quick off the floor.

"He's very physical, abrasive, aggressive. He carries hard, he'll make gain-line every single time.

"His carry height is really good. Ball presentation is very good. You get quick ball off of him."

Brown will win his ninth Scotland cap in Paris having made his debut against Canada in July last year. It will be only his fourth start and it will be fascinating to see how he measures up against the giants in the French pack.

He has become an important player in Franco Smith's Glasgow squad after a difficult beginning to his career at Scotstoun.

"He started more as back-row and played in that URC quarter-final against Leinster in 2022 that we lost by 70 points," said Fraser Brown.

"He had a pretty tough couple of years after that, picked up a lot of injuries. I think if you ask him now, he probably reflects on that as a pretty low point in his career, but also probably kind of the making of him because he certainly managed to develop some resilience.

"I've got nothing but good things to say about Gregor. I wanted him to be in the starting Scotland team from the second week of this Six Nations to be honest. I'm really pleased that he's got a start.

"I think it's going to be a tough ask for him in France against that pack. But certainly, knowing the character he is, he won't take a backward step."

Meanwhile, Oyonnax lock Ewan Johnson replaces Jonny Gray, who is out of the game in France with a knee injury, on the bench.