World Cup warm-up: Scotland 17-14 France - Scotland hold on for victory

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend is delighted with the character shown by his side after losing a couple of soft first-half tries.

"The collective effort, mind-set, commitment was there in the jersey, that was really pleasing to see and we found a way to win in amongst a lot of adversity," he tells BBC Radio Scotland.

"Losing a try early on, losing another try on our ball, being down at half time but coming back, losing key players, players playing in different positions near the end, so that’s pleasing.

"There’s a lot to work on, we know that, but that was more like what I thought it would be. Things that you have to deal with, at times it's helter-skelter. But it was great to see the crowd getting really behind the team and the players finding that win so we can go to Georgia with at least a win behind us.

"I thought we started really well and we were producing quick ball, it was just a misjudgment on a pass and last week it was a misjudgment on a line-out throw and we have to deal with that. We have to regroup, stay focused and that’s what the players did well today."

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So, are we any clearer on who is going to make that 31-man party for Japan?

Chris Harris might just have nudged in front of fellow centres Peter Horne and Huw Jones after that match-winning try.

But did Gordon Reid do enough to dislodge Jamie Bhatti? And what about Scott Cummings v Ben Toolis? That might be moot if Sam Skinner is ruled out.

Two games to come against Georgia now, starting in Tbilisi next Saturday.

Scotland will be the first tier one side to visit and that is a big deal in an emerging rugby-mad nation. They will need to be ready for a scrap in a hostile environment.

Then it's Georgia at home after the World Cup squad is announced.

Have Scotland ever kicked so much under Gregor Townsend? Finn Russell did a good job of turning those French behemoths round and it answers those saying there was no Plan B.

It doesn't always have to be pretty.

Quote Message: I think it was a good win. I think if you take out the two errors that Scotland gave for the tries. France, considering how much on top they were last week, they didn’t create much. I thought, defensively, Scotland were pretty solid with good line speed, good execution, good aggression. We had no dominant tackles last week whereas this week, particularly the first half, a lot more dominant tackles.

I think it was a good win. I think if you take out the two errors that Scotland gave for the tries. France, considering how much on top they were last week, they didn’t create much. I thought, defensively, Scotland were pretty solid with good line speed, good execution, good aggression. We had no dominant tackles last week whereas this week, particularly the first half, a lot more dominant tackles.

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Injury concerns over Tommy Seymour, Blade Thomson and Sam Skinner, with the latter looking the worst.

What a rough time to pick up a knock, with the World Cup just weeks away.

Much better from Scotland in terms of intensity and defensive graft but there were so many mistakes from both sides, making it a pretty scruffy contest.

Lots of work to do in the line-out area.

Once again, Finn Russell was the man making the home side tick.

Stuart Hogg hammers the ball into touch and that is that. A valuable win for Scottish confidence and a good comeback from 14-3 down.

A French penalty is hoofed into touch. Can Scotland close them out? Yes, thanks to a knock-on from Camille Chat, who puffs his cheeks in disbelief at his blunder.

A scrum to negotiate now...

Quote Message: I think turnover is huge here because the French pack to me, although they’ve made changes, just look like they’re slow around the field. I think if they can get turnover ball on a French attack, you’ll find players all out of position and if a Scottish player can spot it then there’s spaces all over the field.

I think turnover is huge here because the French pack to me, although they’ve made changes, just look like they’re slow around the field. I think if they can get turnover ball on a French attack, you’ll find players all out of position and if a Scottish player can spot it then there’s spaces all over the field.

One last push from Scotland? The big lads are inching forward, with the crowd willing them on. Keep it tight, force a penalty? No. Finn Russell has other ideas and his kick is snaffled up by France, who might fancy finding a winner.

Quote Message: Scotland, to me, look completely different this last week, they look like they have a different mentality, there’s been real pressure in the tackle contest area. France haven’t had as much quick ball as they would want. But it’s not over yet

Scotland, to me, look completely different this last week, they look like they have a different mentality, there’s been real pressure in the tackle contest area. France haven’t had as much quick ball as they would want. But it’s not over yet

France are buckling a bit here as Stuart Hogg kicks a penalty into the corner but yet another sloppy line-out, this time with Grant Stewart doing the wayward throwing, means the pressure is off - for now.

Chip and charge from Stuart Hogg and the ball bounces his way. The full-back is smothered but is able to pop away a smart pass. However, a great opportunity goes a-begging with some panicked handling from the arriving cavalry.

Quote Message: I wouldn’t like to see Scotland without Russell. Yes, he makes the odd few mistakes but he’s on ball a lot, his vision is outstanding. He’s just something different, an outstanding player.

I wouldn’t like to see Scotland without Russell. Yes, he makes the odd few mistakes but he’s on ball a lot, his vision is outstanding. He’s just something different, an outstanding player.

Shocking line-out from the French and Scotland are in a hurry. France have a habit of running out of gas over the last 10 minutes.

France rumble forward with real menace from a penalty advantage but Finn Russell, then Stuart Hogg do the dirty work to scramble clear.

Quote Message: It needed a player coming on at real pace and power because they were putting one-off runners into that French defence and they weren't getting anywhere but it was enough to suck them in. Then Harris just came in on a great line, real power, the French players juts fell off him. A well created try.

It needed a player coming on at real pace and power because they were putting one-off runners into that French defence and they weren't getting anywhere but it was enough to suck them in. Then Harris just came in on a great line, real power, the French players juts fell off him. A well created try.

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A sad sight as Sam Skinner has to be helped off the pitch. Is that the lock's World Cup dream over?

Replacement hooker Grant Stewart is on for his first cap, so that will mean a reshuffle with Ryan Wilson moving into the second row.