France expect a much improved Scotland
New Zealander Vern Cotter seen as making all the difference as coach
Scotland have beaten France only once in their last 15 clashes and last won in Paris in 1999, but under New Zealander Vern Cotter, their hosts to Saturday's match are expecting a much improved challenge.
Having dominated the early internationals between the two countries - winning 14 of the first 20 - Scotland have found France the toughest team to beat in the Six Nations since winning the final Five Nations championship before Italy joined the party.
In the 15 years of Six Nations rugby, Scotland have three wins against each of England, Wales and Ireland - nine against Italy - but just the one against the French.
What flashes the red light in certain areas when your team is playing against them, is the way they've improved in all the details around the contact
Yet France's South African-born scrum-half Rory Kockott, who will make his first start for Les Bleus following three substitute appearances in November, believes the Scots will be a different proposition under former Clermont boss Cotter.
"Certainly Vern has brought a whole lot of detail to their game that has been a benefit to their performances," said the Castres halfback.
"They won five of the last seven [matches] and what flashes the red light in certain areas when your team is playing against them, is the way they've improved in all the details around the contact.
"It's something Vern's brought to them and a great aspect of their game that they're very good at."
Having had a dismal Six Nations in 2014, with only a last-minute Duncan Weir drop goal in Rome seeing them avoid the wooden spoon at Italy's expense, Scotland have since won five from their last seven matches, losing only to the top two sides in the world - New Zealand and South Africa.