THE outcome of the 2025 Guinness Six Nations is set to be decided by what happens in the closing match of the championship as Scotland faces France.
A partisan atmosphere awaits the Scots, with an expectant French crowd hoping to see their side claim the victory that will secure a first Six Nations title since 2022 and only a second championship triumph since 2010.
A win for Scotland would pave the way for England or Ireland – who both play earlier in the day – to claim the honours, but Les Bleus have been in scintillating form for much of the tournament and will be confident of seizing their big chance under the Saturday-night lights at a packed Stade de France.
Scotland are out of title contention and even a win may not be enough to help them avoid another bottom-half finish.
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Their two wins came at home to Italy and Wales, the two weakest sides in the championship, but even then they made heavy weather of both matches.
After back-to-back defeats against Ireland and England ruled them out of the equation for silverware and brought fresh debate about Gregor Townsend’s ability to move the team forward, the Scots could desperately do with – if not a victory – at least a rousing performance in Paris to emerge from a hitherto underwhelming campaign with some credit in the bank.
Despite the formidable challenge facing them, Scotland are entitled to take heart from their recent form against France. Each of the last three meetings between the sides – last year’s Six Nations clash at Murrayfield and the two World Cup warm-up matches in August 2023 – were settled by just three or four points.
Prior to that, Scotland competed well in their last Six Nations match in Paris two years ago and were well in the hunt until the hosts scored late to seal a 32-21 victory, while Townsend’s men enjoyed a rare success in the French capital in 2021, albeit behind closed doors.
In short, they generally hold their own in France.
Today's matches are as follows:
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Italy v Ireland - Stadio Olimpico, Rome (2.15pm, ITV)
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Wales v England - Principality Stadium, Cardiff (4.45pm, BBC)
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France v Scotland - Stade de France, Paris (8pm, ITV)
