Up In The Air
When those around you lose their heads, call for the kick to touch.
Scotland have had more offloads and more passes than anyone else in the 6N, so far, and have kept the ball alive for an eye-watering average of 40minutes. But so what. They have not done much with it.
The plan is to run at the opposition till they tire and drop off. It is a game plan built on the assumption that the Scots' fitness will hold out. To a certain extent it has, but really Scotland have a chance to be a tad more tactical. They had the better of Wales and England in the lineout.
This is because the team is more dynamic and organised here than anywhere else. They are precise with their calls and when they are defending they have sprung Richie Gray, in particular, with frightening speed.
Hamilton, Gray and Denton can all rise in the line and Ford, sometimes questioned regarding his throwing, has acknowledge his responsibility and hit his men.
Now they face France and, more notably, Imanol Harinordoquy.
The Basque born number 8 is a bit of a conundrum. He began his career at Pau and stood out for running with the ball in odd positions, carrying in an unorthodox manner, and generally generating momentum. He worked his way into France's squad at 22 and has been a fixture ever since.
He has been a leader and a senior player. He has scored tries, topping charts in 2004. He has been to World Cups. He has farmed cattle. He has caused fights. He has run around with ludicrous masks on. He has worn only one rugby glove. He has been shortlisted for the 2010 IRB Player of the Year. He has been a World Cup finalist whilst publicly criticising his own coach.
More so than this, though, he has proven himself to be, alongside Paul O'Connell, the World's most savvy lineout operator.
He can pluck a ball out of the sun when you thought it was heading for familiar hands. He has that uncanny knack of identifying a threat, cutting his feet and burning to the spot where his lifters have been told, in no uncertain terms, that they are lifting him there. Now.
Around this enigmatic back-rower, who will float around on Sunday, France can form a lineout. Maestri and Picamoles will all be involved, most likely to set up drives, but with Pape and Harinordquy there is the chance for France to unleash waves of attack.
Without snappy talking Kellock inside him Gray has his toughest assignment yet, looking to keep track of Harinordoquy. Hamilton is in fantastic form and will chat and chat, barking out simple instructions and making a nuisance of himself, but the man in the air will have more work than in the last few games.
The drive, which France can employ when things work wayward, will be a weapon. The Scots front-row, Barclay and Rennie will be expected to kill that stone dead. Robinson expects France to go to this tactic, so has made plans.
France will indeed look to exert themselves in the set scrummage and Scottish attacks will be centred around the bludgeon and distraction of their two hefty centres. The odd pass will be slipped in behind them for Hogg to flash into the line from full-back. These are known.
In the end, though, a lot will come down to how much ball can be taken up by the home side from the touchline restarts.
