What France need to do to win their first Six Nations title in 11 years

France coach Fabien Galthie has told his players they cannot afford to consider the bigger prize on offer as they go in search of the victory over Scotland which could bring a first title in 11 years.

Gael Fickou and Jean-Baptiste Gros celebrate France's dramatic win over Wales. Picture: Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images

The home side require a bonus-point victory and a winning margin of at least 21 points in the final 2021 Guinness Six Nations match in Paris to become champions, otherwise glory will belong to Wales.

“We can’t get caught up in the high stakes. The key is to play well and win, the rest will depend on how the match goes,” said Galthie.

“We shouldn’t lose sight of what we need to do. What’s most important is to focus on our performance and victory, our ability to build a win.

“But (Scotland) also have their ambitions because if they win by eight points they will finish second, which hasn’t happened to them for a long time.

“The Scots have the best defence in the championship. They are very well-organised, well-disciplined and well-established in defence. They are the best in this sector so far.”

Fly-half Romain Ntamack will make his first Six Nations start this year as he replaces the injured Matthieu Jalibert.

Second-row pair Bernard Le Roux and Swan Rebbadj, flanker Anthony Jelonch and centre Arthur Vincent have also been brought in.

France centre Gael Fickou has been moved from inside centre to left wing to accommodate Vincent and believes winning the Six Nations would be hugely significant after a decade without success.

“We’ve been waiting for this for a very long time,” said Fickou.

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