Looking to add some creativity to his ranks, Andy Robinson has introduced teen flyer Stuart Hogg to his side in one of four changes that sees his Glasgow teammates Graeme Morrison and John Barclay enter the fray at inside centre and blindside respectively while Mike Blair replaces Chris Cusiter at scrum-half.

The odds aren't in Scotland's favour however - not since 2006 have they beaten France on home turf with Les Bleus dishing out a 27-6 thrashing in 2008 and easing to an 18-9 victory two years later.

But while Robinson's men must add a killer instinct in front of the try-line, second-row Richie Gray believes the outcome will be decided by who comes out on top in the forwards battle.

"We as a team would like to prove a point this weekend and get a win," said the 22-year-old.

"We've been playing so well but just not getting the wins. I believe it's about the final one percent and a complete 80-minute performance. It's close.

"It's a massive test. They're one of the top lineout teams, one of the top scrummaging teams. They challenge you all around the park.

"France have a formidable pack and a really dangerous back-line, and are also World Cup finalists. In the northern hemisphere there's no bigger challenge."

France meanwhile, will be hoping there are no cobwebs having not played since their curtain-raising 30-12 victory over Italy in Paris.

Their proposed fixture with Ireland was called off but Philippe Saint-André has stuck with the XV that were due to host the men in green, meaning Dimitri Szarzewski and Jean-Baptiste Poux will make their first starts of the tournament in the front row.

Yoann Maestri will make his first start for Les Bleus with Imanol Harinordoquy again preferred to Julien Bonnaire.
And with Dimitri Yachvili still not recovered from a back injury Morgan Parra will play at scrum-half, also taking on the kicking duties. Stade Français scrum-half Julien Dupuy is again on the bench.

And Saint-André is expecting no cake walk, revealing his admiration for the Scots' ability to retain the ball, even if they are yet to transfer that into tries.

Saint-André said: "The Scots are difficult to play against. When they played England they had lots of chances but could not finish them off.

"We will need to be aggressive in the individual battles and try to get hold of the ball as quickly as possible to avoid having to counter long passages in defence.

"We want the players to keep hold of the ball for longer to remain lucid."