HUGO Southwell knows enough about French rugby to confidently state that they don’t need another revolution. The former Scotland full-back spent two years playing for Stade Francais and now covers domestic Top 14 matches in his role as a pundit for Sky Sports. And he still speaks regularly to former team-mates and colleagues across the Channel.

It has not been difficult to detect a lingering malaise. France welcome Scotland to Paris next weekend having lost eight of their last nine matches to slump to 10th in the global rankings. In a World Cup year, that is far from formidable form.

In trying to figure out just why France are mis-firing, questions have been posed about the state of their domestic game, the players they are producing and the system overall. Southwell, though, believes it is simpler than that.

He sees experienced and talented athletes playing poorly and lacking in spirit and confidence, a lot of which he puts down to an evident lack of bond between the dressing room and head coach Jacques Brunel.

“There are quality players in their squad who do well for their clubs but aren’t performing to that same level for their country,” said the 59-capped former international. “That comes down to mental frailty and the connection – or lack of – between themselves and the coach. I don’t think it’s a deeper problem than that.

“The likes of Yoann Huget, Maxime Medard, Camille Lopez, and Morgan Parra are all off the boil. Parra, to me, looked pretty disinterested at Twickenham last weekend and that’s disappointing. In that first England try early in the game, you saw him just jogging back. They’re not playing for the coach and that becomes an issue when your senior players are like that and it rubs off on everyone else.

“France on their day are still good enough to compete with any team in the world. But they’re not doing that consistently. In fact, they’re losing to teams they shouldn’t be. Last autumn they were beaten by Fiji and, with no disrespect, they shouldn’t be losing games like that. And to lose to England in that manner last weekend was another sign that all is not well. The bigger players either need to perform or France needs to change the whole thing around which would mean a lot more upheaval.”

Many of the French players didn’t hide their feelings towards Brunel following that loss to England in a growing sign that the coach has his work cut out to try to turn things around.

“Players tend to have a lot of power these days and can influence things,” Southwell said. “We saw it recently at Manchester United with Jose Mourinho. The players always seem to win this kind of battle.

“But, having played in Paris and spoken to people who have been coached by Brunel, I can understand the frustration. At the time of his appointment it seemed like the safe option but I don’t think it was the right one for French rugby. I would have given it to someone younger and more innovative who could have come in and tried to do things slightly differently. You can tell by their performances they’re still stuck in the same place they were in two or three years ago.”

What chance, then, of a first Scotland win in Paris for 20 years? A pause and a chuckle from Southwell. In theory, Gregor Townsend and his men may never have a better opportunity to end that drought but he knows it will all depend on the mood France are in ahead of their last home match of these Six Nations.

“On form, this should be Scotland’s best chance of winning there,” Southwell said. “We let ourselves down last week against Ireland but that wasn’t a typical Scottish performance from the last 24 months.

“In the past that might have had a lasting effect but this time I don’t think it will shape how we go to France and play. On paper, Scotland should go and win this game. But you never know. If the French see this is a chance to turn things around, put everything into it and start well then it will be difficult for Scotland. I’d say it’s our best chance to win in Paris for 20 years. But it really depends on what French side turns up.”

The crowd will have a part to play, too.

“The fans in Paris are always really positive if France start well,” Southwell added. “But if the opposition can get into an early ascendancy your job becomes so much easier as 80,000 people in the Stade de France soon turn against them. I played there for Stade as well as for Scotland and it can be the ficklest crowd if the home side doesn’t start well. They’ll be on France’s back within minutes and that’s something Scotland need to try to take advantage of.

“Get points on the board early and doubts will start to seep into the crowd and the French players. They’re already under pressure given recent form, and the coach is, too. They need to get a result. But if Scotland can get points on the board in the first 20 minutes it could be a long afternoon for France.”