Combined XV: France v Scotland

Combined XV: France v Scotland

This weekend's Six Nations action kicks off with Scotland visiting the Stade France looking to claim back to back wins over France for the first time since 1963/64.

Scotland have an ever-growing injury list while France have performed well below their potential so far in the competition. 

Here is our combined XV from the two nations:

1. Allan Dell - Scotland

Dell's form sees him sneak ahead of the solid Jefferson Poirot for the first slot in our combined XV. Dell was excellent against Ireland and put in a big shift against Italy in round one.


2.Guilhem Guirado - France

Guirado hasn't been able to lead his side to a victory yet this Six Nations but the 32-year-old is still one of the best hookers in the world. His set-piece work is exceptional as too is his overall work rate.  


3. Demba Bamba - France

A close call between the youth of Bamba and the experience of Simon Berghan. The young Frenchman gets the nod with his power in all facets of the game making him one to keep an eye on now and in the future.

4. Grant Gilchrist - Scotland

Gilchrist has been in superb form for Scotland so far in the competition making 17 tackles against Italy and 25 against Ireland! 

5. Jonny Gray - Scotland

Scotland have a formidable second row in the likes of Gilchrist and Gray with both players getting through a mountain of work on defence and attack. Felix Lambey has shown moments of brilliance, notably off the bench against Wales, but it is not enough to beat Jonny Gray to a place in the side. 

6. Josh Strauss - Scotland

Struass features on the side of the scrum to compensate for Louis Picamoles at no.8. Strauss beats Lauret and Bradbury to the 6 jersey with Bradbury still inexperienced at test level while Lauret is a workhorse but has been relatively ineffective so far in the competition. 

7. Arthur Iturria - France

Another close call with Jamie Ritchie putting in some fine performances for Scotland in the absences of Hamish Watson but Iturria just edges the 22-year-old to a place in our combined XV. Iturria has been superb since he moved from the second row to the side of the scrum and has been one France's top performers despite his side struggling for results.

8. Louis Picamoles - France

The 33-year-old has arguably been the best player for France in the competition. He has carried and tackled brilliantly and has shown off his offloading ability.

9. Antoine Dupont - France 

Extremely harsh on Greig Laidlaw who has been consistently brilliant for Scotland but the young Frenchman takes the #9 jersey. Dupont finally gets a start this weekend after a blockbuster impact off the bench against England with many dubbing him as the best scrumhalf in the world at the moment. 



10. Peter Horne - Scotland

Horne's experience gives him the edge over Romain Ntamack who will line-up in the 10 jersey for the first time for France this weekend. Horne has been excellent for Glasgow recently beating Duncan Weir to a starting role with Finn Russell ruled out of the clash through injury. 

11. Sean Maitland - Scotland

The experienced British and Irish Lion is still a fantastic finisher and an astute defender giving him the nod over the erratic Yoann Huget. 

12. Gael Fickou - France

Playing in a more familiar position this week, Fickou should be able to show off his true abilities after struggling on the wing against England. Fickou has been sensational for Stade Francais this season but has struggled to recreate that form on the wing for France. 

13. Nick Grigg - Scotland 

A tough call in that Grigg has been superb for Glasgow but the starting outside centre role has belonged to Huw Jones in recent times. On the other hand, Mathieu Bastareaud has been largely ineffective for France during the Six Nations and the November Tests last year.

14. Tommy Seymour - Scotland

Damian Penaud has shown his brilliance at times so far this competition but was found wanting defensively against England making this decision a bit easier. Seymour, like Maitland, is an excellent finisher and has an all-round strong game. 

15. Blair Kinghorn - Scotland 

Thomas Ramos is certainly one to keep an eye but Blair Kinghorn has already proven his worth at test rugby and has been nothing short of sensational this Six Nations.



In this Article

Latest News