THERE is an inevitable symmetry about the 50th and final game at the Parc des Princes this afternoon. For it is 10 years since France have won a Grand Slam and the badly want to say au revoir to the old stadium before they move to their new futuristic home, Stade de France in Paris's northern suburbs.
Scotland have come to Paris in the role of party-poopers. There are some favourable omens for Ecosse. In 12 attempts, their one and only win at the Parc, France's home since 1973, was on their last visit two years ago when Gavin Hastings memorably steamed up on the shoulder of Gregor Townsend and planted the winning try beneath the posts in the last minute. And the Scots rediscovered their fast, expansive game a fortnight ago to blow Ireland away 38-10 on a windy day in Murrayfield.
The Scots were making all the right noises when their plane left Edinburgh on Thursday. Craig Chalmers, who will be playing his fifth international in Paris, said: "If we can go there and play the way we can as a team and not as individuals, then we can upset the Grand Slam party. They've got all the pressure on them because of the Grand Slam, and they have a new half-back partnership and a new prop.
"We're more settled after our victory over Ireland. The only way to play against the French is to attack them and we'll be trying to do just that."
Brave words. But, despite an extraordinary run of injuries that has weakened the French side this season, the Parc's wall of sound, which would have been the envy of Phil Spector, is likely to be heralding a French victory at around 3.30 Irish time this afternoon.
It is difficult to imagine another side in the Five Nations recovering from a 14-point deficit, as France did at Twickenham a fortnight ago, to emerge winners. And although changes at half-back have disrupted France, they have seamlessly introduced players into a side unrecognisable from that which should have won the championship last year.
David Aucagne of Pau comes into the out-half position in place of the injured Alain Penaud. The slightly-built Aucagne may have the spindly legs of a Kate Moss but in his appearance as a first half replacement against Wales a month ago, he demonstrated model ball skills.
Aucagne will be seeking to bring his backs into play from the first whistle. It is certainly difficult to imagine Pierre Villepreux's France bringing a kicking out-half, a Jean-Patrick Lescarboura say, as insurance cover as over-cautious England have with Rob Andrew.
Aucagne is partnered at halfback with Guy Accoceberry, with France resisting the temptation to move Christophe Lamaison to out-half from centre, the position in which he performed so brilliantly for Brive.
