Bonus-point wins over England and Wales have lifted Gregor Townsend’s side into a share of first place with Ireland in the table but the Scots face their toughest test yet when they face defending champions France on Sunday. The French will be stinging from their defeat to Ireland in round two as they look to revive their defence of the title they won so impressively last season.
Townsend’s team won in dramatic fashion at the Stade de France in 2021 but Scottish victories in Paris have been few and far between – only eight since the end of World War II and six in the last 60 years. Here are a selection of memorable moments from Scotland’s triumphs in the French capital.
5. Scotland make their mark at the Stade de France
Scotland line up before the match against France in Paris in 1999. It was the first time the Scots had played at the Stade de France which had been built for the previous year's football World Cup. The visitors produced a stunning performance, particularly in the first half when they scored five tries, and eventually won 36-22. The victory, combined with England's defeat by Wales at Wembley the following day, saw Scotland crowned Five Nations champions. Photo: Gabriel Bouys
6. Alan Tait: a centre of excellence
Alan Tait on his way to scoring his first try in the 36-22 win against France in 1999. The centre scored two in Paris that afternoon to cap an outstanding Five Nations campaign in which he combined expertly with Gregor Townsend and John Leslie in a highly creative Scotland midfield. Tait had also scored a try double in the narrow defeat by England and one in the opening win over Wales. Photo: Alex Livesey
7. Gregor Townsend's annus mirabilis
Gregor Townsend dots down for Scotland's third try in the 1999 win over France in Paris. It was a highly significant for the Scotland stand-off as he became only the fifth player to score a try in all four Five Nations championship matches in the same season, and the first Scot to do so since Johnny Wallace in 1925. It was the last Five Nations, with Italy joining the following season to make six. Photo: Remy de la Mauviniere
8. Le jour de gloire est arrive
Alan Tait roars in victory after Scotland's famous 36-22 win at the Stade de France in 1999. Tait's two tries, two more from Martin Leslie and one from Gregor Townsend secured the triumph for the Scots, with all five tries coming in a blistering first half. Scotland had already beaten Wales and Ireland and lost narrowly to England. Jim Telfer's side were crowned Five Nations champions the following day when England lost to Wales. Photo: Neil Hanna/The Scotsman