Scots will give France respect but no more – SteynImage source, SNSImage caption, Kyle Steyn could win his 32nd Scotland cap against FranceByAndy BurkeBBC Sport Scotland senior reporterPublished50 minutes agoWhile France will come rolling into Edinburgh this weekend as roaring favourites to dispatch Scotland and take another step on their seemingly unstoppable march to a Grand Slam, this edition of the Six Nations has already left plenty of tipsters looking a little foolish.Who would have predicted that an England side on a 12-match winning run would be turned over so comprehensively by Scotland in round two, then obliterated at Twickenham a week later by an Ireland team many had dismissed as over the hill?It’s a championship that has thrown up all manner of surprises, but Scotland derailing French Grand Slam hopes on Saturday (14:10 GMT) would top the lot.Fabien Galthie’s side know a bonus-point win will secure the title with a round to spare and would release some of the pressure as they look to go five from five in front of their own people in Paris against England on the final weekend.Scotland’s motivation is just as strong. They know a win will mean they head to Dublin to face the Irish in round five in a position they have never been in before in the Six Nations era – with a genuine shot at the title in the final game.To say the first three weeks of the campaign took an emotional toll on the Scots would be putting it mildly. A dispiriting opening defeat by Italy in Rome, that electrifying victory over England that showcased Gregor Townsend’s side at their very best, then a gritty win over Wales in Cardiff.It’s been exhausting watching them so goodness knows how the players were feeling after round three. The one and only fallow week in the new condensed format has come at a good time for Scotland as they look to reset and kick on to that place they have never managed to reach.”It is obviously a massive motivator but I haven’t even thought about that week in Dublin yet,” mentioned Scotland winger Kyle Steyn.Scotland Rugby Podcast: France ‘the biggest test in world rugby’03/03/26Listen on Sounds
