The Japan Times - Tuipulotu urges Scotland to stay in Six Nations title hunt against France

The Scots have never finished higher than third in the Six Nations era and were last crowned kings of European rugby union when they won the final Five Nations in 1999.

But if they manage to beat undefeated France with a bonus point and also deny Les Bleus a losing bonus point, they would leapfrog their visitors at the top of the table.

France, however, will retain their title with a game to spare should they secure a bonus-point win over Scotland, regardless of other results.

"It's massive," skipper Tuipulotu told a press conference at Murrayfield on Friday. "This is one of the biggest games we've played as a group, so let's see what it brings out of us here at home."

Whatever the outcome against France, the Scots will still have a Triple Crown to play for when they travel to Dublin for their concluding match on March 14.

The Triple Crown is the prize given to one of the four "Home Nations" of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales if they beat the other three in a single Championship season.

But Australia-born centre Tuipulotu has higher ambitions.

"I want to earn another week with this group chasing the main goal, and that's lifting the Six Nations trophy," said the 29-year-old.

Scotland looked anything but title-contenders in a lacklustre first-round loss away to Italy but they bounced back with a commanding win over England and came from behind to edge out Wales.

They will likely have to go up several gears against a France side chasing a Grand Slam.

"What an exciting opportunity we've created for ourselves here," said Tuipulotu.

"One of the best teams in the world coming to Murrayfield -- it's an awesome next step for us to see where we're at."

"The job is to make France feel as uncomfortable as we can for as long as we can.

"We need to start fast, but against a quality team like France, starting fast alone doesn't mean you will win. We've got to start fast and finish fast as well."

Saturday's match at Murrayfield will feature two of the world's outstanding playmakers in Scotland fly-half Finn Russell and France scrum-half Antoine Dupont.

"They're definitely two players at the top of their game, and they can do some things on a rugby field that I don't think anyone else on the planet can do, so it makes for an interesting game," said Tuipulotu.

"I think their battle and maybe the battle of the half-backs will go a long way to deciding the game."

S.Fujimoto--JT