Sione Tuipulotu has urged Scotland to rise to a “massive” challenge when they host defending champions France at Murrayfield on Saturday.
The Scots are looking to remain in the Six Nations title race.
They have never finished higher than third in the Six Nations era and were last crowned European champions when they won the final Five Nations championship in 1999.
But if they beat undefeated France with a bonus point while denying Les Bleus a losing bonus point, Scotland would leapfrog their visitors at the top of the table.
France, however, will retain their title with a game to spare should they secure a bonus-point win over Scotland, regardless of other results.
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“It’s massive,” Tuipulotu told a press conference at Murrayfield on Friday. “This is one of the biggest games we’ve played as a group, so let’s see what it brings out of us here at home.”
Whatever the outcome against France, the Scots will still have a Triple Crown to play for when they travel to Dublin for their concluding match on March 14.
The Triple Crown is awarded to one of the four Home Nations – England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales – if they defeat the other three in a single Championship season.
But Australia-born centre Tuipulotu has higher ambitions.
“I want to earn another week with this group chasing the main goal, and that’s lifting the Six Nations trophy,” said the 29-year-old.
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Scotland looked anything but title contenders in a lacklustre opening-round defeat away to Italy, but they bounced back with a commanding win over England before coming from behind to edge out Wales.
They will likely have to raise their level again against a France side chasing a Grand Slam.
“What an exciting opportunity we’ve created for ourselves here,” Tuipulotu said.
“One of the best teams in the world coming to Murrayfield – it’s an awesome next step for us to see where we’re at.
“The job is to make France feel as uncomfortable as we can for as long as we can.
“We need to start fast, but against a quality team like France, starting fast alone doesn’t mean you will win. We’ve got to start fast and finish fast as well.”
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Saturday’s match will feature two of the world’s leading playmakers in Scotland flyhalf Finn Russell and France scrumhalf Antoine Dupont.
“They’re definitely two players at the top of their game, and they can do some things on a rugby field that I don’t think anyone else on the planet can do, so it makes for an interesting game,” said Tuipulotu.
“I think their battle, and maybe the battle of the halfbacks, will go a long way to deciding the game.”
– AFP
Photo: Dan Istitene/Getty Images
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