Scotland are “gunning” to shoot down title-chasing France and secure second place in the Six Nations for themselves, according to Gregor Townsend.
The head coach leads the Scots to the Stade de France on Friday night looking for a first win in Paris since 1999.
A four-try bonus point with a margin of victory of 21 points or more would deliver the championship to the hosts for the first time since 2010.
However a win for Scotland would hand Wales the title – and a margin of eight points or more would clinch the runners-up spot for Townsend’s side for the first time since in the Six Nations era.
After naming his side for the test, with Finn Russell restored at fly half, Townsend said: “We feel we are capable of going there and getting a result.
“We need more than just a result, we need to win by a few points to get to third and potentially get to second. That’s what we are gunning towards.
“We have shown that we can play very well away from home and if we do deliver an 18 minute performance I think we will be more than just competitive.”
The opening weekend victory at Twickenham galvanises Scots hopes – showing this team can end long runs without a win against their rivals.
It is also held by Townsend as his players’ high water mark and the standard they need to achieve to win big matches.
The head coach said: “If we are able to replicate that performance I think we would certainly be in with a shout of winning.
“That was the best I have seen us play over the past few years. We matched England that day up front and that will be very relevant to our chances of success this weekend.
“We are looking forward to the challenge because France could go out and up their game.
“If they start moving the ball from anywhere it could be a great game to watch.”
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