Arizona Tribune - Townsend insists Scots' focus solely on France not Six Nations title race

A bonus-point win for France at Murrayfield would see the reigning champions retain their title with a game to spare, regardless of other results.

But were Scotland to claim a bonus-point victory, while denying France a losing bonus point, they would be top of the table heading into their final match away to Ireland on March 14 and in with a chance of their first title of the Six Nations era.

Even if they lose to France, the Scots will still travel to Dublin in pursuit of the Triple Crown -- the prize one of the four Home Nations gets for beating all the others in a single Championship season -- following a comprehensive 31-20 defeat of England and a tense, come-from-behind, 26-23 win away to Wales a fortnight ago.

"I think it's obviously about what we can do, staying in the championship for another week," Scotland coach Townsend told reporters on Thursday after naming his team to play France.

"We know we've got that final game and things to play for in Dublin, but it's about us winning. That's what we're here for.

"Whatever that means in the championship, we'll see after the game but it's about us delivering a winning performance."

- 'We believe' -

But former Scotland playmaker Townsend reckons his side are capable of back-to-back wins over France and Ireland.

"Yes. I believe in the group," he said.

"Any game we go in to, we believe we can beat our opposition. We know we have to be up there at nine out of 10 level to beat these top teams and that's what we're working towards.

"France have shown over the last two or three games they're the best attacking team in the world but it's the next game that counts."

Townsend has made five personnel changes, including a new front row, with Jack Dempsey returning to the back row after he suffered a bicep injury against England last month.

Loosehead prop Pierre Schoeman and hooker George Turner, both replacements against Wales, are in the starting side, with tighthead prop D'Arcy Rae also coming in for his first appearance of the championship.

Dempsey's recall at No.8 sees Matt Fagerson move to blindside flanker and Gregor Brown slot into the second row.

The other change to the starting side sees Darcy Graham in for Duhan van der Merwe after he tied his fellow Edinburgh wing's all-time Scotland record of 35 tries with an opportunist score against Wales in Cardiff.

Scotland (15-1)

Blair Kinghorn; Darcy Graham, Huw Jones, Sione Tuipulotu (capt), Kyle Steyn; Finn Russell, Ben White; Jack Dempsey, Rory Darge, Matt Fagerson; Scott Cummings, Gregor Brown; D'Arcy Rae, George Turner, Pierre Schoeman

Replacements: Ewan Ashman, Rory Sutherland, Zander Fagerson, Grant Gilchrist, Freddy Douglas, Josh Bayliss, George Horne, Tom Jordan

Coach: Gregor Townsend (SCO)

A.Clark--AT