Highland fling is worrying France

RBS Six Nations: France v Scotland: The start of a new Six Nations campaign is usually destined to throw Frenchmen of every age, shape and political persuasion into a tizzy. As former captain Fabien Pelous once said: "It is like the start of a new romance. You see a girl across the room, your eyes meet and you both know that everything is possible."

Pelous was obviously talking about the tantalising prospect of a Grand Slam or at the very least of a championship, all the more welcome in this World Cup year.

But the French view of today’s opening dance with Scotland at the Stade de France has been complicated somewhat by the presence of an old intimate on her arm.