Scottish Schools open their international season against French Schools in La Teste du Buch near Bordeaux on Saturday (and not as originally scheduled Sunday), their hopes boosted by a timely, confidence lifting 39-5 win over Scotland under-18s last week at Murrayfield.

Confidence is also higher in the coaching team of Graham

Marshall and Andrew Ker, who nevertheless have to accept the sobering fact that Scottish Schools scored only eight points over their four matches last season while conceding a whopping 179.

''I think that it is a better side this season'' said Andrew Ker, the backs coach, who believes that there is a number of key players who could make the difference.

''I think this year there are some very good decision makers in the team'' he added.

The Schools side looked full of confidence in their match against the under-18s, running in seven tries, two of these by left wing Mark Teague, a Schools cap last season, and one apiece from flankers Douglas McCorkell and George McDougal, stand-off Phil Godman, prop Simon Rowan and centre Stephen Cranston, another cap from last season.

The match on Saturday, however, will present Scottish Schools with a much tougher assignment,

particularly up front, where the French, whose Schools players are drawn from clubs, can be expected to have both weight and height.

Ker thinks that the Scottish

forwards this season should be able to compete.

He said: ''It is a workmanlike pack and very mobile. We've opted for Tom Beaver in the

second row although he normally plays No.8 at Gordonstoun.

''Essentially we're looking for ball players.

''There are plenty of exciting backs as well. We have a good half-back pairing and experience in the centre in the shape of Stephen Cranston who is playing regularly for Hawick just now. And there's a bit of pace on the wing''.

The choice of the Kings School, Worcester player, Richard Major at full back will surprise many. Major, who first came to the selectors' attention when his school played against George Watson's at

Myreside six weeks ago, becomes the first England-based player to represent Scottish Schools.

''Richard is in fact playing out of position. He is normally a stand-off and played in the trial as a No.10. But we needed a good goal kicker and he certainly is that. He is also a very good line kicker'' said Ker.

''There will be many players in England and Ireland and perhaps Wales. We have to look at them,'' suggested Ker.

After facing French Schools, Scottish Schools will then play against Wales on 4 January and will complete the under-18 international programme by taking on English Schools on 27 March.

All the matches this season will be played under the recognised age group standard of under-18 on January 1.

Only Irish Schools have not agreed to the change and as a result they will not play against the Scots this season, but it seems they will fall into line next season.

qSCOTLAND'S hopes of launching their Student Five Nations Championship campaign on a high note were shattered by France in Burnbrae yesterday.

Two tries in the last five

minutes clinched a 24-10 victory for the visitors after the Scots had mounted a tremendous fightback.

France surged to a 12-0 advantage, only for the home men to rally with a try by Andy Borthwick and a hat trick of penalties from David McPhail.