Fresh from their first Under-20s Six Nations victory in three years, Scotland travel to a team they have never beaten in the junior edition of the Championship.
Dating back to 2008, the closest Scotland Under-20s have come to beating their French counterparts was an 8-8 draw in 2010.
Ahead of their latest encounter on Friday, both teams have a win and loss a-piece this Championship after Scotland followed up their 41-36 defeat at England with an 18-17 victory over Wales.
Last year’s runners-up, meanwhile, beat Italy 28-27 in the opening round before losing to defending champions Ireland 33-31 despite running in five tries at Musgrave Park.
Where to watch
The action gets underway at 8pm on Friday 24th February at Stade Armandie in southern France, with live coverage on BBC iPlayer.
France team news
It’s a much-changed France lineup with 11 alterations in all after 14 players were released from the national side to return to their clubs.
Among the 14 was highly-rated full-back Louis Bielle-Biarrey meaning Mathis Ferté now starts at 15.
Ferté forms part of a new-look back-line with Hugo Trouilloud and Leo Drouet replacing Théo Attissogbe and Enzo Benmegal on the wing.
The only players to keep their place in the starting lineup are Léo Carbonneau (scrum-half), Marko Gazzotti (number eight), Oscar Jegou (flanker) and Louis Penverne (prop).
France U20 team to play Scotland U20: 15. Louis Penverne, 14. Léo Drouet, 13. Arthur Mathiron, 12. Paul Costes, 11. Hugo Trouilloud, 10. Hugo Reus, 9. Léo Carbonneau; 1. Louis Penverne, 2. Pierre Jouvin, 3. Maino Pakihivatau, 4. Bastien Chinarro, 5. Lenni Nouchi, 6. Oscar Jegou, 7. Esteban Capilla, 8. Marko Gazzotti
Replacements: 16. Thomas Lacombre, 17. Luca Tabarot, 18. Zaccharie Affane, 19. Charly Gambini, 20. Cyriac Guilly, 21. Mathis Castro-Ferreira, 22. Axel Desperes, 23. Léon Darricarrere
Scotland team news
Scotland have made three changes from the line-up which beat Wales in Round 2.
Two of those alterations are in the forward pack as Moby Ogunlaja replaces the injured Callum Norrie at tighthead prop, while Jonny Morris is in at number-eight with Sam Derrick out of the squad.
The rest of the front eight is unchanged with form man Rudi Brown, who has three of the team’s five tries this campaign, starting at openside flanker.
The other change comes at scrum-half as Finlay Burgess is set to make his first start of the 2023 Championship, replacing the injured Ben Afshar.
There are no changes in the backline, but for a change in position for William Robinson and Ben Evans, who swap wings.
Head Coach Kenny Murray said: “The team produced a commendable performance at Scotstoun a couple of weekends ago, especially in the kind of weather they faced.
“Everyone took great confidence from the victory at home, but we must back it up in France.
“France pose an intense and highly physical game, something we must also do if we want another win this week.”
Scotland U20 team to face France U20: 15. Dan King, 14. Ben Evans, 13. Duncan Munn, 12. Kerr Yule, 11. William Robinson, 10. Richie Simpson, 9. Finlay Burgess, 8. Jonny Morris, 7. Rudi Brown, 6. Liam McConnell, 5. Ruaraidh Hart, 4. Jake Parkinson, 3. Moby Ogunlaja, 2. Corey Tait, 1. Craig Davidson
Replacements: 16. Jerry Blyth-Lafferty, 17. Max Surry, 18. Robbie Deans, 19. Eddie Erskine, 20. Johnny Rutherford, 21. Ewan Guy, 22. Charlie Clare, 23. Geordie Gwynn
