Jack Dempsey has recovered from injury to return for Scotland, with Darcy Graham also coming into the side to face France in the Six Nations.

It is a huge clash at the top of the table, with Scotland able to leapfrog France with a bonus-point victory. However, a win for the leaders at Murrayfield would seal the title for the second year running.

Dempsey was expected to miss the rest of the tournament after suffering a bicep injury in the Calcutta Cup victory over England.

However, he returned to the Scotland squad following the victory away to Wales last time out and now slots into number eight to replace Matt Fagerson, who switches to blindside flanker.

"Jack Dempsey's return is unexpected and a real boost. He has the cohesion with the others in the back row, and he's an explosive carrier for us," said Scotland boss Gregor Townsend.

"We feel like we have players in the starting XV and the bench that can give us go-forward."

Graham, meanwhile, has come off the bench in each of the last three Tests, with Kyle Steyn moving from right to left wing to accommodate him.

Your Scotland team to take on France this weekend #AsOne pic.twitter.com/JBa8cKml2C

— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) March 5, 2026

They are two of five changes made by Townsend as they prepare to visit the reigning champions, with Pierre Schoeman, George Turner and D'arcy Rae all starting in a new-look front row.

Duhan van der Merwe and Max Williamson miss out, but Freddy Douglas could make his first Six Nations appearance off the bench. Zander Fagerson also drops to the bench.

Scotland XV to face France: Blair Kinghorn, Darcy Graham, Huw Jones, Sione Tuipulotu (captain), Kyle Steyn, Finn Russell, Ben White; Pierre Schoeman, George Turner, D'arcy Rae, Gregor Brown, Scott Cummings, Matt Fagerson, Rory Darge, Jack Dempsey.

Replacements: Ewan Ashman, Rory Sutherland, Zander Fagerson, Grant Gilchrist, Freddy Douglas, Josh Bayliss, George Horne, Tom Jordan.