Scotland (17) v France (19), 8 March

Scotland    vs France   

RBS 6 Nations
Murrayfield, Edinburgh
Saturday 8th March, 2014
KO 1700

Referee: Chris Pollock



Assistant Referees: George Clancy, JP Doyle

A. Squads

Scotland Squad REVISED:

Forwards: Johnnie Beattie (Montpellier), Kelly Brown (Saracens), Geoff Cross, David Denton, Alasdair Dickinson, Ross Ford (all Edinburgh Rugby), Chris Fusaro (Glasgow Warriors), Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh Rugby), Ryan Grant, Jonny Gray (both Glasgow Warriors), Richie Gray (Castres), Jim Hamilton (Montpellier), Scott Lawson (Newcastle Falcons), Moray Low, Pat MacArthur (both Glasgow Warriors), Euan Murray (Worcester Warriors), Alasdair Strokosch (Perpignan), Tim Swinson and Ryan Wilson (both Glasgow Warriors).

Backs: Chris Cusiter (Glasgow Warriors), Jack Cuthbert, Nick De Luca (both Edinburgh Rugby), Alex Dunbar (Glasgow Warriors), Max Evans (Castres), Dougie Fife (Edinburgh Rugby), Stuart Hogg, Ruaridh Jackson (both Glasgow Warriors), Greig Laidlaw (Edinburgh Rugby), Sean Lamont (Glasgow Warriors), Matt Scott (Edinburgh Rugby), Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors), Duncan Taylor (Saracens) and Duncan Weir (Glasgow Warriors).

NO HARLEY, RENNIE or K LOW

French Squad:

Vincent Debaty, Thomas Domingo, Yannick Forestier, Brice Mach, Dimitri Szarzewski, Nicolas Mas, Rabah Slimani, Alexandre Flanquart, Yoann Maestri, Pascal Pape, Sebastien Vaahamahina, Virgile Bruni, Alexandre Lapandry, Wenceslas Lauret, Bernard le Roux, Damien Chouly, Antonie Claassen, Jean-Marc Doussain, Maxime Machenaud, Morgan Parra, Jules Plisson, Remi Tales, Mathieu Bastareaud, Gael Fickou, Remi Lamerat, Maxime Mermoz, Yoann Huget, Maxime Medard, Hugo Bonneval, Brice Dulin

B. Previous matches

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hd7YAfmRSls  2013  L
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_7_quuZcsY  2012  L
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zpi55BQmRM 2011    L

C. Teams

France Team:


France team: B Dulin (Castres); Y Huget (Toulouse), M Bastareaud (Toulon), M Mermoz (Toulon), M Medard (Toulouse); J Plisson (Stade Francais), M Machenaud (Racing Metro); T Domingo (Clermont Auvergne), B Mach (Castres), N Mas (Montpellier), Y Maestri (Toulouse), P Pape (Stade Francais, capt), S Vahaamahina (Perpignan), A Lapandry (Clermont Auvergne), D Chouly (Clermont Auvergne).

Replacements: G Guirado (Perpignan), V Debaty (Clermont Auvergne), R Slimani (Stade Francais), A Flanquart (Stade Francais), A Claassen (Castres), J-M Doussain (Toulouse), R Tales (Castres), G Fickou (Toulouse).

Scotland Team:



Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors), Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors), Alex Dunbar (Glasgow Warriors), Matt Scott (Edinburgh), Sean Lamont (Glasgow Warriors), Duncan Weir (Glasgow Warriors), Greig Laidlaw (Edinburgh); Ryan Grant (Glasgow Warriors), Scott Lawson (Newcastle Falcons), Geoff Cross (Edinburgh), Richie Gray (Castres), Jim Hamilton (Montpellier), Johnny Beattie (Montpellier), Kelly Brown (Saracens, capt), David Denton (Edinburgh).
Replacements: Ross Ford (Edinburgh), INJ OUT Alasdair Dickinson (Edinburgh) IN Moray Low, Euan Murray (Worcester Warriors), Tim Swinson (Glasgow Warriors), Ryan Wilson (Glasgow Warriors), Chris Cusiter (Glasgow Warriors), Duncan Taylor (Saracens), Max Evans (Castres).

D. Watch out for...

Richie Gray https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSpiYWB-5Sk

Yoann Huget https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYWJyeLoUAs

PS Thanks to George Carlin for previous match threads. I've tried where possible to continue your style and structure.

If you want an explanation for the pictures, here we go.

France were 'clowns' according to Guscott, hence the clown.

I thought we were, in the entertainer line, Susan Boyle previously, but we've now got our mojo back a tad and we're Amy Macdonald. (A definite improvement on all fronts).

Great job!   

RDW_Scotland wrote:Great job!   

Ta   

Something in me thinks Scotland will win this. I desperately want to call a Scotland win, but my head is ruling intuition, which I never normally allow to happen.

There are reasons to be optimistic and pessimistic.

Optimistic: France are in a mess and will be without key players that, although might not have been at their best last week, would have undoubtedly been a nuisance for us: Whack-a-mole, Nyanga and Fofana.

Pessimistic: They're France. We're Scotland. They'll be typically French and play some outstanding rugby.

Hey, every Six Nations needs it upset and I guess it wouldn't really be that much of an upset given how unpredictable and incoherent France are- plus their absentees- but I just want a Scotland win with every part of me here!

I literally dont have a clue what to expect any more - it really would be stereotypically French and stereotypically Scottish if the score was France 40 Scotland 3, given the current circumstances.

You can sneak the win/

Come on Scotland. Do everyone a favour and nail France, preferably in a way that invites a massive, brilliant backlash upon the Irish the week after...

Well done Mr Tode. Excellent effort and laughed my ass off at the clown.

Oi Nematode, can we have this merged with the other thread?   

PS, I'm starting to like notch more and more. Maybe we can fully turn him from the dark side that is Ireland!

Other thread is locked tattie

Is it just me or is there a whiff of Scotland are dark horses for this game about this thread? Two tries by a back and I Believe I Can Fly shifts up the SRU track list.    A one point win away in Italy is definitely worth celebrating in the context of this year's 6N but given that France are coming off a dismal performance against Wales, I'm afraid I can't get John Williams' Empire theme song out of my head.

France were Gash against Wales. Scotland were good against Italy.

If both teams play like they play last weekend Scotland should win IMO.

However us resorting to turgid rugby and France suddenly becoming the team we all think they can be and we'll get hammered.

I admire your optimism Radge. Good on ya for believing.  If a  can fly, then so too can Susan Boyle. Sure she has enough methane in her. Wouldn't want to be the guy holding the match behind her though to get lift off.

Problem for us is the pitch, it really doesn't suit the type of rugby we want to play. Sure, it'll hinder France as well, but let's be honest, we need them to play badly anyway.

I think we'll lose this one personally. Too much class in that France backline, even without Fofana, and whilst we scored two tries against Italy, our defence wasn't good. We still leak cheap points too easily, and whilst we showed some grit in defence against England, when teams go wide against us we are vulnerable. Lamont rushes out to line to avoid a one on one situation with the opposition winger, and if they have the skills to get the ball away before being clattered, then its a 5 pointer.

Am guessing that the author of this thread is still causing problems on the pitch?

Surely it must be a bit better by now? There must be more garlic on that pitch now than in the average French country pub.

I agree with the Reverend I.M. Jolly* that if we were playing this on a harder pitch it would actually suit us better. I get the sense that it's going to be a slugfest and we'll be undone by a couple of Fickou moments of razzle dazzle. Although at least I am happy that our midfield will bring the biff if necessary. Dunbar is 16 stones, Scott is 15 and between them should have enough to bring Fat Bastereau down.

* FES

Love the Reverend I.M. Jolly. Best openning line for a sermon:

"There are many many wonderful and glorious aspects of the Lord's creation, but there are also terrible hardships and strife in the world today, and it is those that I wish to dwell upon at length today......"

Geoff Cross is starting for Edinburgh tomorrow night. Can't tell whether it is to give him more game time or because he won't be picked for the France game.

Ford is starting too - I suspect it will be the latter. Will be good for him to get out the Scotland spotlight and just play some rugby.

Every time France gets involved in a poll- they get next to no votes..

Seriously we are like the worst voters ever.

RDW_Scotland wrote:Other thread is locked tattie

I know. I just like winding up Nematode after his infamous "my mouse has gone on strike" merging request.

Speaking of Nematodes, I beleive theyhave all been garlic'ed to death but the issue is they have eaten all the roots at murrayfield and as we're still in winter, the grass hasnt been able to re-grow itself. The pitch should be better than against England as its had a few weeks of growing, it'll come down to how much it pisses down here over the next week

I reckon to give him more time. He's barely played all season, and must surely have said to SJ:

Cross: "Look you moron, happy to deal with Domingo next week, but I can't do it without just a little bit of preparation and time on the rugby field."

SJ: "Jeez Dr Cross you flaming Gallah, what a good point. I haven't got a single clue about team selection, and I don't have much time to focus on it anyway, I've spent the whole week thinking of quirky things to say at my next press conference. Tell you what, speak to Mr Solomons, he actually knows what he's doing, and ask about getting a game".

Cross: "Thanks, you total and utter cretin."

I'm feeling rather optimistic about the France match. There are enough, good, players in our squad who are currently playing in the T14 for us not to feel intimidated; Gray, Strokes, Beattie. Plus we also have Hamilton and Evans.
Front Rows Domingo and Mas give the visitors a clear advantage here, I would start Grant and Welsh or anyone who isn't Moray Low. Lawson deserves to start but Rab C may just go for Ford's "bulk". (A strategy hereafter to be known as the Bastereau Gambit, i.e. pick a big fat lump in the hope that he might actually waken up at some point in the proceedings)
Second Row A close call. However, the French have two big lumps who can both get around the park whereas we have Richie Gray, who is and does, and Hamilton, who is and doesn't, or Swinson, who isn't and does. The brave choice would be Ickle Jonnie who will very shortly be attracting as many "World Class" epithets as his brother. Look for the Bastereau Gambit.
Back Row I was tempted to say any unit missing Dussatoir, Nyanga and Picamole would be a shadow of itself but then I thought; Kellybrows, Barclay, Rennie, Harley, Strokes. A six who can defend the fringes and a seven who can roam the pitch causing chaos plus an explosive eight would be my prescription but Rab C will probably go for three eights to add bulk: the Bastereau Gambit x three =24.
Half-backs Whoever the French pick at 9 will be under pressure from the off, so two proper flankers to harry him all day would be a start but see above. Should Laidlaw start? Not on recent form. Will Rab C make the call? Just be glad we don't have an 18 stone scrum half in the squad. Wee Dunkie must start at 10 and his confidence must be at an all time high, let's hope this is the game where he comes of age.
Centres I don't care who the French play at 12, as long as they have a Menhir at 13 they are Friar Tucked. Scott and Dunbar should be too good for them. Seriously this is the most exciting centre partnership we've had in ages so unless we see Taylor- De Luca put out to counteract Mr Bulky then we should be fairly confident here.
Back three Big advantage to the visitors here. Still, as long as we don't have a pedestrian 9 who box kicks aimlessly what have we got to worry about?
I think the game is ours for the taking as long as the visitors don't go all French on us. i.e. play rugby in a carefree, sublime manner.

jimbopip wrote:I'm feeling rather optimistic about the France match. There are enough, good, players in our squad who are currently playing in the T14 for us not to feel intimidated; Gray, Strokes, Beattie. Plus we also have Hamilton and Evans.
Front Rows Domingo and Mas give the visitors a clear advantage here, I would start Grant and Welsh or anyone who isn't Moray Low. Lawson deserves to start but Rab C may just go for Ford's "bulk". (A strategy hereafter to be known as the Bastereau Gambit, i.e. pick a big fat lump in the hope that he might actually waken up at some point in the proceedings)
Second Row A close call. However, the French have two big lumps who can both get around the park whereas we have Richie Gray, who is and does, and Hamilton, who is and doesn't, or Swinson, who isn't and does. The brave choice would be Ickle Jonnie who will very shortly be attracting as many "World Class" epithets as his brother. Look for the Bastereau Gambit.
Back Row I was tempted to say any unit missing Dussatoir, Nyanga and Picamole would be a shadow of itself but then I thought; Kellybrows, Barclay, Rennie, Harley, Strokes. A six who can defend the fringes and a seven who can roam the pitch causing chaos plus an explosive eight would be my prescription but Rab C will probably go for three eights to add bulk: the Bastereau Gambit x three =24.
Half-backs Whoever the French pick at 9 will be under pressure from the off, so two proper flankers to harry him all day would be a start but see above. Should Laidlaw start? Not on recent form. Will  Rab C make the call? Just be glad we don't have an 18 stone scrum half in the squad. Wee Dunkie must start at 10 and his confidence must be at an all time high, let's hope this is the game where he comes of age.
Centres I don't care who the French play at 12, as long as they have a Menhir at 13 they are Friar Tucked. Scott and Dunbar should be too good for them. Seriously this is the most exciting centre partnership we've had in ages so unless we see Taylor- De Luca put out to counteract Mr Bulky then we should be fairly confident here.
Back three Big advantage to the visitors here. Still, as long as we don't have a pedestrian 9 who box kicks aimlessly what have we got to worry about?
I think the game is ours for the taking as long as the visitors don't go all French on us. i.e. play rugby in a carefree, sublime manner.

So how many Basterauds is the Scotland likely to have??

Parra suspended 2 weeks so will miss the Scotland game.

jimbopip wrote:Second Row A close call. However, the French have two big lumps who can both get around the park whereas we have Richie Gray, who is and does, and Hamilton, who is and doesn't, or Swinson, who isn't and does. The brave choice would be Ickle Jonnie who will very shortly be attracting as many "World Class" epithets as his brother. Look for the Bastereau Gambit.

Can I just say that this is comfortably the most succinct and accurate description of our second row options I've read!

WhoCares - what do you think that the French team will look like in that case? What do you think about their chances in light of all the injuries.

Cross playing is very interesting. We know that SJ is a big Euan Murray fan, so it wouldn't surprise me if he popped up on the bench.

Given that what Domingo did to Euan Murray last time they played eachother carries an X rated certificate on YouTube, I'd really hope SJ doesn't have the silly notion of using an unfit Euan Murray as an impact sub for Moray Low.

I wouldn't say Pape was overly athletic, and is more in the Jim Hamilton mode.

Maestri however is frightening.

So how many Basterauds is the Scotland likely to have??
RDW, as many as Rab C can fit on a teamsheet. As long as at least nine of them are number eights of course.

How many Basterauds? Well, starting with the coach........................

funnyExiledScot wrote:I reckon to give him more time. He's barely played all season, and must surely have said to SJ:

Cross: "Look you moron, happy to deal with Domingo next week, but I can't do it without just a little bit of preparation and time on the rugby field."

SJ: "Jeez Dr Cross you flaming Gallah, what a good point. I haven't got a single clue about team selection, and I don't have much time to focus on it anyway, I've spent the whole week thinking of quirky things to say at my next press conference. Tell you what, speak to Mr Solomons, he actually knows what he's doing, and ask about getting a game".

Cross: "Thanks, you total and utter cretin."

  Actually genuinely starting to believe you were there to witness this conversation

RDW_Scotland wrote:I wouldn't say Pape was overly athletic, and is more in the Jim Hamilton mode.

Maestri however is frightening.

accurate description of Pape. Could add that he is in a Jim Hamilton-against- England kinda mode even. He was pretty useless as captain against Wales and managed to annoy Rolland while having a go at his teammates. Pretty poor and should have been dropped.

Any thoughts on what the French team might be whocares?

George Carlin wrote:WhoCares - what do you think that the French team will look like in that case? What do you think about their chances in light of all the injuries.
.

Given the current squad, I would hope Machenaud and Tales start as halfbacks. Nothing magical to expect from them but they are both solid in defense and Tales has a big boot. Need to rebuilt some confince with a no nonsense perfomance.

I agree that Machenaud would be the right call for France. Does all the basics really well.

Tales vs Weir could be a real kicking battle. I hope that both sides commit to playing some decent rugby. With players like Hogg and Huget on the park, there are some really exciting players on the pitch.

If the French players know whats good for them they will take no notice of PSA and play their own game and make it known thats what they did if they win.

The guy is out of his depth and needs to go, surely the French should employ a Kiwi/Aussie as it seems to be the thing to do for NH teams that can't produce their own coaches.

You'd like Guy Noves would be the obvious replacement, or perhaps a second stint for Laporte.

The best non-French option would be Scott Johnson. I'd be sad to see him leave Scottish rugby, but I'd get over it.

funnyExiledScot wrote: I hope that both sides commit to playing some decent rugby. With players like Hogg and Huget on the park, there are some really exciting players on the pitch.

Both teams have played positive rugby so heres to hoping for some fine entertainment.

I agree, although my concern is that after being thrashed so badly by Wales, France go back to a more direct and conservative game plan. They'd probably be able to grind out a win against us pretty comfortably. Our scrum isn't good, our lineout is inconsistent, we can't defend a rolling maul and our defensive kicking game more often than not just feeds counter attack. England put together a fairly convincing template with which to beat us.

There is just no on earth Scotland will win this game.

They're coming off the back of a good win in Rome while France were awful in Cardiff.

We've got no injuries while they're missing their best two players.

No way in hell we'll win.

funnyExiledScot wrote:
The best non-French option would be Scott Johnson. I'd be sad to see him leave Scottish rugby, but I'd get over it.

It is very kind of you Sir   

So are we still in mode or can I swing round to blind optimism?

Doomed

But to cheer you up: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJi0W5x2gQE

Sorry, bit of a side note.

Going over the news and couldn't ignore how much of a mug David Cameron looks like. And the others in fairness when listening to Merkel.



It gets worse...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-26374698

  

Well according to the poll we're clear favourites to win. Staggering that after 1 scraped win the blind optimism is back in force!

Doomed.

to be fair, the poll is rather. well. meh!

do a new one where no french (if there are many on here) and scots arent allowed to vote then it may be a bit more indicative of how things may actually pan out

Surely if France lose to us then then old PSA could be out on his ear?

Stop being so ridiculously Scottish everyone.

France by 12.

Evidence here: https://www.606v2.com/t50461-scotland-fans-victim-support-group-thread