FRANCE COACH FABEN Galti has minimized changes in his starting lineup in Saturday’s six-nation match against Scotland as the French strive to keep their hopes up for their first Grand Slam title and tournament since 2010.
Jonathan Denty is coming out at the center – he missed the 30-24 win over Ireland two weeks ago due to injury – and Joram Mafana has moved to the flank to replace Gabin Wheeler, who suffered a facial injury in a clash with Ireland.
Rory Darge, a Glasgow Warriors flanker who made his international debut as a substitute against Wales earlier this month, will be the first to start for Scotland at Murray this weekend.
All in all, Scotland coach Gregor Townsend made three changes in the XV, which began with a loss to Wales in Cardiff in the final time-out with a score of 20-17.
Back line forward Magnus Bradbury, who will start his first game for Scotland in 2020, and support Zander Fagerson are two other players recalled to the starting lineup of the XV.
WP Nell, Johnny Gray and Matt Fagerson – three players who dropped out.
Scotland: Stuart Hogg (Captain); Darcy Graham, Chris Harris, Zion Tuipulotu, Duhan van der Merwe; Finn Russell, Ali Price; Magnus Bradbury, Hamish Watson, Rory Darge; Grant Gilchrist, Sam Skinner; Zander Fagerson, Stuart McKinali, Pierre Schoman.
Replacements: George Turner, Oli Cable, U.P. Nell, Jamie Hodgson, Nick Haining, Ben White, Blair Kinghorn, Mark Bennett.
France: Melvin Jaminet; Damian Peno, Gael Fico, Jonathan Denty, Joram Mafana; Ramen Ntamak, Antoine Dupont (captain); Anthony Elonche, Gregory Aldrit, Francois Crowe; Paul Willems, Cameron Walkie; Winnie Atonia, Julien Marchand, Cyril Bai.
Replacements: Pete Mauvaca, Jean-Baptiste Grove, Demba Bamba, Ramon Taafifenua, Thibaut Flaman, Dylan Cretin, Maxim Luc, Thomas Ramos.