Scotland head coach Matt Williams has endured a baptism of fire and looks set to collect the wooden spoon, while French boss Bernard Laporte is on course for the Grand Slam.

It has been a learning curve of massive proportions for former Leinster coach Williams after taking over from Ian McGeechan last year.

The World Cup had been poor for Scotland and the RBS 6 Nations has offered little respite.

The ineffective display in Wales was followed by a spirited, if unspectacular, game against England.

But the 20-14 loss in Italy humbled Williams transitional side in Rome.

Willams is still in the process of re-building and the call-ups for players such as Allister Hogg and Chris Cusiter have offered some hope for fans.

But the arrival of the French team will have many Scots preparing to watch the match from between their fingers.

Englands defeat by Ireland in the last round of matches has boosted confidence, which was already sky high, among Les Bleus.

The French have been afforded little resistance in their quest for a whitewash and few expect Scotland to be any more than further fodder after comfortable wins against Ireland, Italy and Wales.

Olivier Magne will return at flanker after vice-captain Imanol Harinordoquy was ruled out because of an elbow injury.

Pepito Elhorga is back at wing in place of Vincent Clerc, who drops to the bench, and Dimitri Yachvili takes over the number nine shirt from Jean-Baptiste Elissalde who has a thigh injury.