Brivehearts still confident

Scotland's supporters may have had few things to console them this week as their side seek to get their season out of a cul-de-sac and back on the high road. But at least the Cayman Islands are not getting a rugby team together and at least Scotland are at home.

Scotland's record against France at Murrayfield in recent times - eight wins in the last 20 years - is heartening and the French, buoyant a fortnight ago, have become becalmed after England blasted their Grand Slam hopes out of the water in Paris.

The French have travelled to Edinburgh racked by injuries and self-doubt. They still look better on paper than the Scots, who make seven changes from the side humbled in Dublin, but the French have been this way before: losing when only a consolation prize is on offer.

Oddly five of the new-look Scottish team are based in France, making them more Brivehearts than Bravehearts. James McLaren, the centre who takes over from Jamie Mayer, will have the inside track on his two Bourgoin club-mates Jean Daud and Sebastien Chabal, who make their debuts in the French pack, while Stuart Reid of Narbonne takes over from Gordon Simpson at number eight. Reid, the new pack leader, said there is extra motivation for the France-based Scots. "If we lose I don't want to think what will happen when we go back. The French public are laughing at us a bit and, if we play like we did against Italy and Ireland, it will be a whitewash." The Brive contingent has been increased to three with Steve Brotherstone making his Scotland debut in place of the injured hooker Robbie Russell.

But it is the form of another Brive man, Gregor Townsend, that will be crucial to the outcome of the game. With John Leslie alongside him, the captain having recovered from the hip injury that sidelined him in Dublin, the out-half will look to recover the composure he lost in Ireland.

Playing Chris Paterson (21) at full back is an enormous gamble by Scotland's coach Ian McGeechan. Paterson, who played one World Cup game against Spain, has only played at full back in half a dozen firstclass matches. He is certain to come under heavy bombardment in the opening stages and much may depend on the converted wing Glenn Metcalfe's ability to shield the newcomer.

McGeechan made light of the late change forced upon him by Russell's hamstring injury in training. Brotherstone has made one substitute appearance at senior international level and Steve Scott, who has been drafted into the squad as cover, has still to play an A team game.

"Steve Brotherstone has been able to do three sessions with us so while you would prefer not to have any injuries at all, it has not disrupted us too much," said McGeechan.

SCOTLAND: C Paterson (Edinburgh); G Metcalfe (Glasgow), J McLaren (Bourgoin), J Leslie (Newcastle, capt), K Logan (Wasps); G Townsend (Brive), A Nicol (Glasgow); T Smith (Brive), S Brotherstone (Brive), M Stewart (Northampton), D Weir (Newcastle), S Murray (Saracens), M Leslie (Edinburgh), B Pountney (Northampton), S Reid (Narbonne). Replacements: J Mayer (Bristol), D Hodge (Edinburgh), G Beveridge (Glasgow), D Hilton (Glasgow), S Grimes (Newcastle), C Mather (Edinburgh), S Scott (Edinburgh).

FRANCE: T Castaignede (Castres); E Ntamack (Stade Toulouse), D Venditti (Brive), T Lombard (Stade Francais), C Dominici (Stade Francais); G Merceron (Montferrand), C Laussucq (Stade Francais); C Califano (Stade Toulouse), M Del Maso (Colomiers), F Tournaire (Stade Toulouse), J Daude (Bourgoin), O Brouzet (Begles), S Chabal (Bourgoin), O Magne (Montferrand), F Pelous (Stade Toulouse, capt). Replacements: R Ibanez (Perpignan), P Devilliers (Stade Francais), T Lievremont (Perpignan), A Costes (Montferrand), A Hueber (Toulon), J-B Elissalde (Rochelle), C Desbrosse (Stade Toulouse).

Referee: Steve Lander (England).