Glasgow Warriors' Bennett channelling local knowledge in France

Scotland head coach Vern Cotter has picked eight of Gregor Townsend's players in his starting XV for their trip to the Stade de France with three more on the bench, just reward for their ten wins this season that see them up in second place in the league.

Bennett's GUINNESS PRO12 appearances this season have been limited by injury to just four but he is keen to make his mark on international rugby after making his Scotland debut in victory over Argentina in November.

And the 22-year-old centre, who spent a year playing for Clermont Auvergne's Under-23 team before returning to Glasgow in 2012, he hopes his experience in France will prove useful this weekend.

"I can get by with my French so hopefully I can pick up one or two of their calls," he told Edinburgh Evening News. "The downside is that it will be me ordering room service!

"I trained with my opposite number Wesley Fofana every day and played with him a few times in pre-season matches.

"If you go high on him he will fend you off as he's really strong up top at the same time as having real pace and an ability to beat a man. We need to really be aware of that."

Bennett has fond memories of playing age-group level matches away in France, but is aware the atmosphere he will face at the Stade de France will be even more intimidating.

"I am hugely excited," he added. "I played my first game for Scotland Under-20s in France and it was a great experience.

"The crowd were wild, with drums and even a band playing throughout. Everybody was chanting away when you were kicking for goal as well. This is the next step up from that.

"I'm still relatively new, having got a taste of internationals in the autumn. To make my debut at BT Murrayfield was unbelievable, and to be out there in the next few weeks will be something else."

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