An elusive Scottish win away from home at one of the 6 Nations big guns has to come soon if Scotland are to be taken seriously as a contender, and there is confidence it could come today in Paris.
Captain Greig Laidlaw conceded that a major win away from Murrayfield in the championship was almost an essential in the year of a Rugby World Cup, although he didn’t single out struggling France as they more likely venue to Twickenham in three weeks’ time.
Scotland have struggled at both venues – no wins in Paris since 1999 and none at English rugby’s HQ since 1983. Indeed, they have just one away win outside Rome in the championship during the current decade.
“Yeah, we do have to win a big game away, absolutely, there’s no getting away from that,” agreed Laidlaw.
“We’ve spoken about the likes of Wales winning here. They can produce it on the day, so it’s important for ourselves as a group to make sure we can deliver a winning performance away from home.
“This is the opportunity that comes first. We’ve not talked about England at all yet. They’re obviously playing extremely well in the comp so far, but this is the next opportunity and that’s all we concentrate on.”
Indeed the Scots have not given up hope of the title itself, even if it will take a curious series of results in the next three weeks to bring that about.
“If we’ve got aspirations to go on and win (the championship) this is a very important game, clearly,” he said.
“We spoke a bit about that and we understand the magnitude of the game. I think that’s good for us to play in games of that sort and I’m really excited to play away from home tomorrow, and see what we’re all about.”
Laidlaw has played often enough in Paris to know a little of why the Scots have failed here so often since the victory in 1999, which he walked at his grandparents as a child – his parents were on the Paris trip that year and were at the game.
“I think in the past they would probably target us up front a little bit, but I think we’ve overcome that and I really think we’ve got the game to challenge them now,” continued Laidlaw.
“That’s the first port of call tomorrow, our set-piece and our defence. If we function there we give ourselves a great foothold in the game.
“Is this our best chance here? I feel we’re playing good enough rugby to win, yes I do, and I’ve pushed that point home this week.
“We’re sick of talking about having opportunities to win and being confident before games. It’s up to us now, as a group, as a collective, to take the step and win away from home. That’s all of it.”