Hamish Watson returns for Scotland after suffering a concussion against New Zealand in November Venue: Stade de France, Paris Dates: Sunday, 26 February Kick-off: 15:00 GMTCoverage: Live radio commentary on BBC Radio Scotland; text commentary on the BBC Sport website & appFlanker Hamish Watson replaces Luke Crosbie in the only change to Scotland’s line-up for Sunday’s Six Nations match against France in Paris. Watson is back to full fitness after a concussion against New Zealand. Crosbie is not on the bench, with Sam Skinner drafted in as one of six forward replacements – and that means no place in the 23 for Chris Harris. Scrum-half Ali Price returns to the matchday squad having missed out on the wins against England and Wales. Defending champions France beat Italy in their opener but were then defeated by Ireland in round two of the championship. Gregor Townsend’s side beat France on their last visit to the Stade de France in 2021 in what was their first victory there since 1999.”We need to go up a few levels,” Townsend admitted. “That can come from players getting second opportunities, or other player who we feel can help us improve.”The standard of training has made selection more difficult, or longer. After the England game we discussed a number of positions and the same thing happened after the Wales game.”Hamish Watson and Ali Price have both played very well for us in the past. They have been showing in training that they are ready to go again. “That’s the situation you want to be in, with form and experience coming together to make us better.”Scotland are unchanged in the back division once more with Ben White and Finn Russell poised to continue at half-back. Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones resume their center partnership while Stuart Hogg has recovered from a head injury assessment following the victory over Wales to start at full-back. The returning Watson will line up with captain Jamie Ritchie and Matt Fagerson in the back row. Haouas starts for France France hav e also made one change to their line-up with Mohamed Haouas, 28, coming in at tighthead prop in place of the suspended Uini Atonio. Atonio was banned for three weeks for a tackle on Ireland’s Rob Herring in the match in Dublin. Haouas was sent off in Scotland’s win over France in 2020 for punching Jamie Ritchie and comes in to an otherwise unchanged pack to earn his 16th cap. Captain Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack form the half-back pairing again in a settled backline.”They’ve got some of the best players in the world and the biggest depth of any nation currently,” Townsend added. “Playing at home is a big boost for them.”They play a game where their defense and set piece are massive, but there’s a real intent to play when they do get the ball – sometimes off counter-attack, sometimes turnover ball.” Line-ups France: Ramos, Penaud, Fickou, Moefana, Dumortier; Ntamack, Dupont (capt); Baille, Marchand, Haouas, Flament, Willemse, Jelonch, Ollivon, Alldritt. Replacements: Barlot, Wardi, Falat ea, Taofifenua, Cros, Macalou, Couilloud, Jalibert.Scotland: Hogg, Steyn, Jones, Tuipulotu, Van der Merwe; Russell, White; Schoeman, Turner, Z Fagerson, R Gray, Gilchrist, Ritchie (capt), Watson, M FagersonReplacements: Brown, Bhatti, Nel, J Gray, Skinner, Dempsey, Price, KinghornReferee: Nika Amashukeli (GRU)Assistant Referees: Karl Dickson (RFU), Assistant Referee 2: Andrea Piardi (FIR)TMO: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
