Scotland v France: The stats behind the big match

History beckons for Scotland at BT Murrayfield this afternoon.

Oli Kebble arrives with the Scotland team for the Autumn Nations Cup clash with France at BT Murrayfield. Kebble is making his first start for Scotland. Picture: Ross Parker/SNS

A win over France will take them into the final of the inaugural Autumn Nations Cup but will also equal the national side’s record winning streak.

Scotland have won each of their last five Test matches, the first time they’ve managed that since 2011 and if they can make it six they will draw level with the Grand Slam sides of 1925 and 1990.

It’s lofty company to keep but the Scots have had the measure of France in their last two meetings.

Gregor Townsend’s side won 28-17 when the sides met in Edinburgh in the Six Nations in March and Scotland also prevailed in a Rugby World Cup warm-up match at Murrayfield last year.

You have to go back to the 1950s for the last time Scotland beat France three times in a row.

The French have not won at Murrayfield since 2014, a run that encompasses four consecutive defeats on Scottish soil.

But France are the form team in world rugby at the moment and the loss in Edinburgh in March is their sole defeat this year.

France captain Charles Ollivon is their leading try-scorer in 2020, with five.

Fabien Galthie’s side may have been pipped by England for the Six Nations title but the French were the tournament’s leading points scorers (138) and also scored the joint most tries (17, level with Ireland).

Scotland had the meanest defence, conceding the fewest points (59) and tries (5).

Something has to give today.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this article. We're more reliant on your support than ever as the shift in consumer habits brought about by coronavirus impacts our advertisers.

If you haven't already, please consider supporting our trusted, fact-checked journalism by taking out a digital subscription.