Scotland respond to France Murrayfield complaint as Fabien Galthie says slight 'sets the tone'

Galthie said his players are forced to change in the corridor when they come to the Edinburgh stadium and that the perceived slight had “set the tone” for Saturday’s match.

Gregor Townsend, his opposite number, defended the facilities and said no other team had complained. The Scotland coach also suggested that France’s large backroom staff could be part of the problem.

The row has made for an interesting subplot to the match which has the potential to decide the outcome of this season’s championship. A bonus-point win for France will guarantee them the title for the second year running.

Scotland go into the game in second place, four points behind the French, knowing a home win would see them go into the final weekend still in contention.

The smallest in the world

Galthie, speaking as he named his team for Edinburgh, claimed that Scottish Rugby bosses had refused French requests to be given extra space.

“The changing room is, in my opinion, the smallest in the world,” said the France coach. “It forces us to change in the corridors, for an international match. We have to call a spade a spade.

“We regularly ask them to give us the next room over, which is available and is the other part of the dressing room... Well, we don't have it. The referees' dressing room is bigger than ours. It sets the tone, we know what we're getting into as soon as we arrive at the stadium.”

Townsend, who has made five changes to the side which beat Wales in Cardiff, said the only alternative room available to the away team is the one currently used by the media before and after games.

“I think it's the first time the opposition have complained about our away changing room publicly,” said the Scotland coach. “It's obviously the changing room Edinburgh use week in, week out. It's a changing room every away team have used over the last 20 years.

“And whether they've [France] got a huge staff… which I think is part of the issue.”

“It's not really my job,” added Townsend. “If it sets the tone, it's interesting.”

Return of Jack Dempsey

Townsend was happier talking about his selection for a match which is pivotal to the outcome of this season’s Six Nations as Scotland seek their first title since 1999.

The headline news is that Jack Dempsey has recovered from the arm injury he sustained against England that threatened to end his tournament early and will start at No 8 on Saturday. His selection sees Matt Fagerson switch from eight to six, with Gregor Brown moving from the back row to partner Scott Cummings at lock.

The other big revelation is that Townsend has picked an entirely new front row to face the French.

Pierre Schoeman, George Turner and D’arcy Rae are the starters, with Rory Sutherland, Ewan Ashman and Zander Fagerson named on the bench. Fagerson’s place among the replacements is the biggest surprise but the Glasgow tighthead is sure to have a big role to play.

There is one change in the backs, with Darcy Graham replacing Duhan van der Merwe who is carrying an ankle injury. Freddy Douglas, the young Edinburgh flanker, is on the bench and set to win his second cap.

Matthieu Jalibert has recovered from an ankle injury and returns at fly-half for France, with Thomas Ramos reverting to full-back.

Scotland v France teams

Scotland: 15 Blair Kinghorn; 14 Darcy Graham, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Sione Tuipulotu (capt), 11 Kyle Steyn; 10 Finn Russell, 9 Ben White; 1 Pierre Schoeman, 2 George Turner, 3 D’arcy Rae, 4 Gregor Brown, 5 Scott Cummings, 6 Matt Fagerson, 7 Rory Darge, 8 Jack Dempsey. Replacements: 16 Ewan Ashman, 17 Rory Sutherland, 18 Zander Fagerson, 19 Grant Gilchrist, 20 Freddy Douglas, 21 Josh Bayliss, 22, George Horne, 23 Tom Jordan.

France: 15 Thomas Ramos; 14 Theo Attissogbe, 13 Nicolas Depoortere, 12 Yoram Moefana, 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey; 10 Matthieu Jalibert, 9 Antoine Dupont (capt); 1 Jean-Baptiste Gros, 2 Julien Marchand, 3 Dorian Aldegheri, 4 Charles Ollivon, 5 Mickael Guillard, 6 Francois Cros, 7 Oscar Jegou, 8 Anthony Jelonch. Replacements: 16 Peato Mauvaka, 17 Rodrigue Neti, 18 Demba Bamba, 19 Thibaud Flament, 20 Emmanuel Meafou, 21 Lenni Nouchi; 22 Baptiste Serin, 23 Pierre-Louis Barassi.