Weakened Scotland bidding to expose self-belief of unpredictable France

Despite missing a cluster of key players this weekend Scotland believe they can win in Paris for the first time since 1999Having failed to win in Paris so far this century, Scotland will attempt to end that trend on Saturday with something akin to a second-string side. Of the team’s key quartet, only the captain, Greig Laidlaw, is in the squad, Finn Russell having joined Stuart Hogg and Willem Nel on the injury list this week. Related: Gregor Townsend bullish over Scotland chances but hails ‘outstanding’ France Related: Wing commanders: why Six Nations quicks are rolling back the years Conti…