France v Scotland – Six Nations Match Report
France the defending champions threw out their autumn blues with an echoing 34-21 victory in RBS Six Nations over Scotland. The match was a pure demonstration of typical French flamboyance in the backline and the forward muscle.
While Damien Traille, Imanol Harinordoquy and Maxime Medar all displayed some excellent moves, Les Bleus depended just as much on French front three to banish Scotland and forced a penalty try during the first half in the process.
Despite some dazzling show off of skills from France, Scotland managed to keep up and showed a mature character. Scottish forwards kept on pushing the French to the back foot and made a several comebacks in the match. Tries from Kelly Brown, Sean Lamont
and skipper Alastair Kellock made a difference and awarded Scotland a respectable defeat.
But then again it was France who made the major difference and laid down a noticeable statement of purpose, as they came back to their traditional ways of play and win. After the horrifying defeat from Australia in November by 59-16, fans had doubts. The
fear was demolished later on by the excellent play.
There were a lot of speculations that the environment will get heated up if Scotland gets the hold of the game. But the crowd at Stade de France was treated with a superb try as Scotland’s confrontation collapsed.
The ball was quickly moved by the French and Nick De Luca turned in the midfield passing it on to Aurelien Rougerie, who booted it forward to Medrad. Medrad collected the ball and controlled it to the touch line and scored a try in the corner.
Les Bleus demolished the scrum of the visitors as expected. The front rower then passed it on to Trinch Duc for a drop goal making the total 10-0.
Only some frantic defending from Scottish backline prevented a French fierce attack from the right but after being pushed again and again Scotland retaliated and shocked the home side. Captain Kellock pierced through the defense and dodged William Servat
to score a try.
It seemed like a turning point of the game as the visitors had sown enough strength and response to shake the French defense. Scotland was within three points range in the first twenty minutes, but the comfort zone ended when France scored a penalty.
Euan Murray was given a warning twice in the match for collapsing in the scrum. Wayne Barnes the referee awarded a penalty to France, which they executed. France’s ten point lead was restored when Parra scored a conversion, but the pace of the game didn’t
slow down at all.
Rory Lawson was replaced by Mike Blair due to Andy Robinson’s vision and the visitors became more stable as French side took on a patient approach.
Parra missed a penalty and later Trinch Duc demonstrated a typical skill of his control and passed the ball to Lionel Nallet through his own legs. Lionel Nallet accepted the pass and booted the ball to Harinordoquy, who was already waiting under the posts.
Conversion from Dimitri Yachvili made the total score 24-7.
Scotland didn’t wait and made a quick response to the hosts. After a penalty from Blair, Brown powered his way through the field and scored, which Parks converted.
Scottish retort were put to silence when Traille score a try at 68thminute and causing a major damage to the visitors. It was followed by yet another combined attempt by Yachvili, Clement Potrenaud and Medrad.
Though France dominated, but Scotland proved a point that they won’t let go any mistake. Scotland dominated on French defense in major areas.
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