I would not like to put Scotland as favourites against France because we never particularly like that tag but against a French side who you do not know what they will be like, and coming to Murrayfield for their first outing, against a Scotland side, who I think will be reasonably confident but not cocky, I can see Scotland beating them.
It is crucial who Frank Hadden plays in key positions especially at number 10 – we have got good players – obviously Sean Lamont is a miss – but we have good finishers in Simon Webster, Nikki Walker, Rory Lamont and I think we have found a genuine outside centre in Nick De Luca.
I think things look pretty good for Scotland at the moment. Whether Hadden goes with Dan Parks, a kicking fly-half, or Phil Godman, a runner, or even Chris Paterson. I think he will go with Parks although I am not sure that is the right way to go.
Phil Godman has been flourishing under Andy Robinson at Edinburgh and playing better than ever. If you watch Edinburgh play they play a fast game and they play a game that is great to watch – and I would love to see Scotland replicate that.
What a fantastic dilemma Scotland have at scrum-half. We are blessed with riches in that position and also in the back-row position where Scotland have enough players to fill two international quality sides.
Mike Blair is the man in possession at the moment at scrum-half and it will be very difficult for Chris Cusiter to dislodge him – clearly injuries take their toll but I would expect Mike Blair to be starting.
