The Five Nations clash between France and Scotland used to be a 'home banker'. Between 1979 and 1993 the home team won on 15 consecutive occasions, the sort of pattern punters like. In recent years the travel sickness has only affected Scotland.
France have 12 of the last 14 championship matches, although they remain particularly dominant against the Scots on home soil. Since winning in Paris in 1999 Scotland have suffered five straight reverses with a negative points difference of 88. The Six Nations betting doesn't suggest things will get any easier this time around.
In this context a trip to the reigning Grand Slam champions seems like a nightmare start to the forthcoming championship, a view inevitably not shared by Scottish coach Andy Robinson. He sees the new season as a clean slate and vulnerability in France, not infallibility.
Marc Lievremont's men are certainly lower in confidence than they were when they completed the Grand Slam last year, the 59-16 thrashing they suffered against Australia in their last match being the fourth worse French test defeat in history.
There is bound to be vulnerability in what could be a new-look team compared to the one that lifted the trophy last year, with Robinson hoping to capitalise with an emphasis on doing the basics well. His team were undone by stupid errors and naive decision-making last year – consistency is Scotland's holy grail this time around, even if the rugby union betting tips indicate they won't win the tournament.
Scotland also suffered a winter mauling on home soil, 49-3 by New Zealand, but have steadily improved since. Plenty of work needs to be done on the team's creativity – 10 championship tries in three years tells its own story – but a strong defensive display in Paris is the current priority. France can be expected to win this one by 10-15 points.
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