Having opened their Six Nations campaign by beating Italy and then lost to Ireland and England, Scotland returned to winning ways with a 35-29 win over Wales at the weekend but it was hardly plain sailing. Gregor Townsend's side shipped 21 unanswered points in the final quarter as their 35-8 lead was whittled down to just six points.
The campaign ends in Paris on Saturday night against title-chasing France and there could be changes, particularly on the bench. Scotland's championship hopes are all but over and even a rare win in the French capital could end up with them finishing fourth.
Co-captain Rory Darge was injured in the win over Wales and is in a race to be fit to face powerful opponents who have selected a seven-one split of forwards and backs on their bench in recent games.
Townsend may try to counter that by sacrificing a replacement back and reverting to a six-two split at the Stade de France. Scotland last won at the Saint-Denis venue in 2021 when they stunned the hosts with a late winning try from Duhan van der Merwe.
5. Grant Gilchrist
Sent off after seven minutes at the Stade de France two years ago, the experienced lock will be determined to atone. | SNS Group / SRU
6. Matt Fagerson
Replaced the injured Rory Darge towards the end of the first half against Wales on Saturday and is likely to start in Paris if the co-captain doesn’t recover in time. | SNS Group / SRU
7. Jamie Ritchie
The on-form Edinburgh back-rower is likely to switch from six to seven in a reshuffled back row if Darge is ruled out by his hip injury. | SNS Group / SRU
8. Jack Dempsey
Dempsey’s ball-carrying prowess will be vital against a rampant French side who outpowered Ireland so impressively at the weekend. | SNS Group