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Guinness Six Nations 2025: France v Scotland

Where: Stade de France, Paris When: Saturday, 15 March 2025 Kick-off: 20: 00 GMT

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend believes taking on France in Paris is probably the toughest test in rugby union right now.

And while some could argue the All Blacks at Eden Park or the Springboks at Ellis Park might be tougher, there is not much disputing the numbers behind France’s impressive Six Nations campaign.

As a team they are chasing points and try records galore, while the threat of unleashing another seven powerful forwards from their bench as opposition shoulders begin to soften is a terrifying one.

France continued their free-scoring Six Nations in Dublin last week as they racked up 42 points and five tries against an Ireland team that had been chasing a Grand Slam.

It took their points tally in the tournament to 183 from five matches, and 26 tries.

Now, they have the record-holding England side of 2001 in their sights.

Jonny Wilkinson and co managed a total of 229 points and 29 tries on their way to the title 24 years ago (though not a Grand Slam) – tallies which have yet to be surpassed.

But if France manage four tries against Scotland they will claim the record for scores in a single campaign. They also need 47 points to take the points crown.

Damien Penaud needs just one score to overhaul the great Serge Blanco as France’s all-time leading try scorer, with the pair currently locked on 38 tries apiece.

But while Blanco took 93 caps to reach 38 tries, Penaud has managed it in just 55.

His wing partner Louis Bielle-Biarrey is on a similar trajectory, having crossed an astonishing 17 times in 18 caps at just 21 years of age.

The diminutive Bordeaux flyer has scored seven tries in this Six Nations alone, and one more would take him clear of Jacob Stockdale as the man with the most in a single campaign since Italy joined in 2000.

Given he has scored twice against Wales, England and Ireland so far, he could even surpass England’s Cyril Lowe (1914) and Scotland’s Ian Smith (1925), who both managed eight in one tournament.

It is no surprise with potency like this France lead the way for line breaks in the championship.

Backing up those record-breaking backs are 15 – yes 15 – powerful forwards.

France became only the second nation in the history of rugby union to name seven forwards and just one back on their replacements bench against Italy – and they did so again in Dublin to brutal effect.

South Africa were the first to do so in a Rugby World Cup warm-up match in 2023, and used it a few times on their way to the trophy.

Arguably those are the only two nations capable of doing so, given their depth up front and the adaptability of some of those forward players.

France managed to win comfortably in Dublin despite injuries to Antoine Dupont and centre Pierre Louis-Barassi during the match, leaving them a back short.

Step forward back-row replacement Oscar Jegou, who filled in at centre and even scored a try and put a decent grubber kick through at one stage.

Meanwhile, a fresh front row and reinforcements behind – including 6ft 8ins and 145kg second row Emmanuel Meafou – helped France make just three metres fewer than Ireland from 45 fewer carries, as they turned a one-point half-time advantage into a 15-point victory.

While France are in form and firing, they are not invincible.

England managed to triumph 26-25 in round two by being extremely clinical in attack, while players such as Penaud and Dupont made uncharacteristic errors to pass up clear try-scoring chances.

However, France are not often wasteful – they still have the best conversion rate in the opposition 22 in the Six Nations – and another big difference is home advantage this weekend.

After routing Wales 43-0 in Paris in their opening fixture, France have been on the road to England, Italy and Ireland.

France have lost just once in 15 Tests at Stade de France specifically, since Scotland triumphed in the last minute in the 2021 Six Nations.

Only South Africa – by a single point in the 2023 World Cup quarter-final – have won there since then. New Zealand have been beaten three times during that period.

In addition, France have averaged nearly 35 points per game in those 15 Tests – and the least they have scored is 25 points.

So, opposition teams likely have to score at least three tries just to be in the game.

France being back at Le Stade with the Six Nations title on the line means it will be “pumped up to the max” as Townsend put it.

Australian Grand Prix

Venue: Albert Park, Melbourne Dates: 14 March-16 March Race start: 04: 00 GMT on Sunday, 16 March with first practice at 01: 30 on Friday

Lewis Hamilton says he does not feel any pressure to prove himself as he starts his Ferrari career at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.

The seven-time champion left Mercedes after 12 seasons in which they became the most successful team-driver combination in Formula 1 history.

The 40-year-old Briton won six of his drivers ‘ titles between 2014 and 2020 but has won only two races since the start of the 2022 season.

Hamilton said in Melbourne: “I am under no assumptions it will be easy. I don’t feel the pressure. The outside pressure is non-existent for me. The pressure is from within and what I want to achieve.

” I am not here to prove anything to anybody. I have done it time and time again. I know what it takes to do a good job and that’s what I want to deliver, for myself, and my family, for this team that I really believe deserve success.

Hamilton was relaxed and smiling speaking to the media in Thursday’s news conference, oozing the positivity that has characterised him since he moved to Ferrari.

He described these days preparing for his Ferrari debut as “definitely the most exciting period of my life. I’m really enjoying it, and I’m so excited to get in the car”.

Hamilton said it “looks like it is going to be close” between Ferrari, McLaren, Red Bull and Mercedes this season.

And he said he still had work to do to perform at his optimum at Ferrari, because he was getting to grips with the team and car.

“I am still learning this new car, which is quite a lot different to what I have driven all through my career”, Hamilton said.

“Ferrari power, after all my career with Mercedes, is a different feel, different vibration.

” The sooner you can perform to a higher level, the better, but inevitably there is a transition period and a foundation that needs to be built. Relationships, trust with everyone. Respect is given but trust is something built over time.

Hamilton is teamed with Charles Leclerc at Ferrari and said he had been impressed by the 27-year-old’s “work ethic”.

“It is not too dissimilar to mine”, Hamilton said. “Just getting on with it. He is very much Mr Ferrari and it has been really cool to work alongside him”.

Leclerc joined Ferrari in 2019 and has been faster than both his team-mates, Sebastian Vettel and Carlos Sainz. The Monaquese rejected any suggestion that he was “Mr Ferrari”.

“There is no place for one particular driver in Ferrari”, Leclerc said. “Ferrari is bigger than any drivers. And that has always been the case. That’s what makes Ferrari so special. There is support of the team and not one specific driver.

” Lewis is coming as a legend of the sport so there is a lot more attention on him than me at the moment but I am completely fine with it. I completely understand that. It’s normal it is that way. It is fine for me. “

Asked if he had given Hamilton any advice on integrating with Ferrari, Leclerc said:” I really don’t think Lewis needs any kind of advice from me. I know the environment more than him but he has introduced himself to the team perfectly and he already seems to be very much at ease.

“It is a long process, he will learn the car and team more. The advice I have given him so far is mostly about food. He knows if he needs anything I am here to answer his questions, no problems. But he needs less advice from me than I do from him”.

Hamilton joined Ferrari with the target of winning a record eighth world title but Leclerc said he, too, was determined to become champion.

The 2025 Six Nations is nearing its conclusion but how much do you remember about the Super Saturdays of years gone by?

You can test your knowledge by having a go at our quiz, with eight questions looking back at some of the most memorable final-round matches in the Six Nations.