While France are in form and firing, they are not invincible.
England managed to triumph 26-25 in round two by being extremely clinical in attack, while players such as Penaud and Dupont made uncharacteristic errors to pass up clear try-scoring chances.
However, France are not often wasteful – they still have the best conversion rate in the opposition 22 in the Six Nations – and another big difference is home advantage this weekend.
After routing Wales 43-0 in Paris in their opening fixture, France have been on the road to England, Italy and Ireland.
France have lost just once in 15 Tests at Stade de France specifically, since Scotland triumphed in the last minute in the 2021 Six Nations.
Only South Africa – by a single point in the 2023 World Cup quarter-final – have won there since then. New Zealand have been beaten three times during that period.
In addition, France have averaged nearly 35 points per game in those 15 Tests – and the least they have scored is 25 points.
So, opposition teams likely have to score at least three tries just to be in the game.
France being back at Le Stade with the Six Nations title on the line means it will be “pumped up to the max” as Townsend put it.
All this makes the task extremely daunting for Scotland – and very likely France will finish the job and become Six Nations winners for a record-equalling seventh time.
