6N 2016: Scotland v France, 13 March

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SCOTLAND v FRANCE
13 March 2016
KO: 15:00 GMT
BT Murrayfield, Edinburgh

Live on BBC, FR2, RTE, FR2, DMAX / ITV(H)

Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand)
Touch judges: [tbc]
Television match official: [tbc]

A. Head to Head

85 Played 85
34 Won 49
2 Drawn 2
49 Lost 34
1,009 Points 1,150

B. Recent Form

5 September 2015: Stade de France, Saint-Denis
19 – 16 to France

7 February 2015 : Stade de France, Saint-Denis
15 – 8 to France

8 March 2014: Murrayfield, Edinburgh
17 – 19 to France

16 March 2013: Stade de France, Saint-Denis
23 – 16 to France

26 February 2012: Murrayfield, Edinburgh
17 – 23 to France

5 February 2011 : Stade de France, Saint-Denis
34 – 21 to France

7 February 2010 : Murrayfield, Edinburgh
9 – 18 to France

C. Teams

SCOTLAND 
 
[tbc]

FRANCE

[tbc]

Totally chuffed for all you Scottish posters, great result today. Technically it's your best result in 3 years because it's the first time since 24th February 2013 (when you beat Ireland), that you have beaten one of the old big 8 countries (the old 5 nations, and old tri nations teams).
I thought when France pulled the game back it was going to be the same old story of Scotland doing everything they could to lose the game and snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, but they fought back and secured the game.
I've probably posted too late and all of you are to drunk to read this anyway.

TJ wrote:I have just realised - thats the first time Scotland have beaten anyone above us in the rankings for what - 3 years?  We might even move up the rankings as a result - beat Ireland and we will move into the top 8

Were Samoa not ahead of us in the rankings?

We were above Samoa by the time the game was played - they had been above us earlier in the summer tho
http://www.worldrugby.org/rankings#mru

Edit - you can put the dates in to check

Ah fair enough. We were 3rd seeds in that group but that was based on seedings 2 years previous.

We're pretty good at putting away teams below us but not above - it was so important we got this win today.

One very happy Scots poster here. We certainly have waited a long time for that, which makes it all the more special. We have thought we had a decent team in there somewhere trying to get out and now we know for sure. At long last they are finally learning how to win these tight games!

RDW_Scotland wrote:Ah fair enough. We were 3rd seeds in that group but that was based on seedings 2 years previous.

We're pretty good at putting away teams below us but not above - it was so important we got this win today.

Certainly was. we need to climb the rankings

Congratulations Scotland, thumping win against France.

Lovely stuff from Scotland today, not just the tries but the general attitude and clinical manner in which we shut off France. Hell, we even managed to make restarts and lineouts look easy.

Quite a few strong performances. Hogg was rightly MOTM, extremely influential. I thought Taylor was excellent at 13 as was Horne in coming off the bench at 10 (query who will start at 10 next weekend if Russell is out - tricky one that).

In the forwards the front row were very good and stood up well to some monster French props, and Strauss carried effectively whilst Hardie was just a real menace (I think he held up three Frenchmen almost on his own at one point). Last word to Richie Gray - I thought it was his best performances for Scotland in a long while.

Very happy with that. We've got a shot against the Irish you know.

That's twice in a row we've been drawn back into a tight game and whereas up until recently we'd have thrown a punch or an intercept pass, given away a stupid penalty or a charge down or miss an easy tackle we pulled away again. Laidlaw has developed into a decent leader, when he chose for Hogg to go for the long kick he nailed it, when there was a penalty in a similar position later on he chose to go for territory and we got the try, that's 10 points then and there through good decisions and good execution.
Before yesterday I would have said Ireland don't have the firepower to hurt us but they were very strong earlier. That said that Italy performance was another level of poor, it could well be that as soon as Ireland pulled away they figured that they'd lost their last chance to win and the coach would be picking his last team fairly soon regardless.

Ireland's attack is slicker than ours and will cause us issues, but I do think we can give the Irish pack a run for its money. I think it'll be quite a high scoring game.

FES - agree about Ritchie - he looked hungry and effective

No words for Barclay but thought he was everywhere, must be close to have the highest tackle count and played well as a link man in attack, all that despite playing out of position.

funnyExiledScot wrote:Ireland's attack is slicker than ours and will cause us issues, but I do think we can give the Irish pack a run for its money. I think it'll be quite a high scoring game.

I'm worried enough. Scotland look hungrier than Ireland. Scotland looked like a very good side today for the first time in a long time in the 6N. When you look at the age profile of the team they Should be have a proper chance to win it in a couple of years. They need to build in some depth but some hard work and 2018 might be the year.

I great team performance and some individuals that stood even higher

What was refreshing was we did not do anything really stupid under no pressure - which has been a trade mark for a while

Maybe getting the win last week has settled some nerves - or maybe they are just growing stronger

Big up for Horne, who I thought was excellent

Dunbar looked to be up to speed and his size (I did not realise he is over 17 stone) made some big hits

One slight concern is our defense can stand a little back and the French did seem to make a lot of yards without being touched - maybe having 2 new people come in and Talyor moving out, meant that they were not quite so settled - but an area to work on

I am very relived, as I was thinking we were going down the usual path of getting close - so glad for the team that they not only held on, but pulled away at the end

2 other things to note on how Scotland have developed

After 4 games - our for points is higher than our against!!!!!!

And we are the second highest points scored - even after than Ireland smashing of Italy

Strange days

Shifty wrote:Totally chuffed for all you Scottish posters, great result today.  Technically it's your best result in 3 years because it's the first time since 24th February 2013 (when you beat Ireland), that you have beaten one of the old big 8 countries (the old 5 nations, and old tri nations teams).
I thought when France pulled the game back it was going to be the same old story of Scotland doing everything they could to lose the game and snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, but they fought back and secured the game.  
I've probably posted too late and all of you are to drunk to read this anyway.  

Great post. I second this.

Watching Scotland win makes me warm and fuzzy inside

toml wrote:

funnyExiledScot wrote:Ireland's attack is slicker than ours and will cause us issues, but I do think we can give the Irish pack a run for its money. I think it'll be quite a high scoring game.

I'm worried enough. Scotland look hungrier than Ireland. Scotland looked like a very good side today for the first time in a long time in the 6N. When you look at the age profile of the team they Should be have a proper chance to win it in a couple of years. They need to build in some depth but some hard work and 2018 might be the year.

The core of this team should be together for a long time - most of them are early 20s.  A few good young uns coming thru as well.  Hastings Junior looks good.  Fagerson the next generation of props

I have been saying for a couple of years this is the best squad scotland have had for a generation.  Today they took another step up and thus gained more confidence.  another year or two and aiming for 6N wins might not seem so far fetched. They are starting to reach their potential which IMO is a solid top 6 in the rankings and pushing the top of the table in the 6N. Still baby steps and still early days but thats the best scots performance for a long time - ten years or more.

Well a truly wonderful & historic day that was!
First win over France for a decade. Perfect way to mark mine & wee Greegs 50th match!

But best of all for the first time ever I met one of you lot!

(You totally mentioned your username, started with a C!? But afraid in my druniej state it escapes me... )

Here's to more days like this!

Now bring on the Irish

GLove39 wrote:Well a truly wonderful & historic day that was!
First win over France for a decade. Perfect way to mark mine & wee Greegs 50th match!

But best of all for the first time ever I met one of you lot!

(You totally mentioned your username, started with a C!? But afraid in my druniej state it escapes me... )

Here's to more days like this!

Now bring on the Irish

You are a (minor) celebrity in the Scottish rugby world!

You sure he wasn't calling you something beginning with C??

My money is on CraigS...

VinceWLB wrote:No words for Barclay but thought he was everywhere, must be close to have the highest tackle count and played well as a link man in attack, all that despite playing out of position.

True enough, he had an extremely busy afternoon. I called him out as a future Scotland 6 about 5-6 years ago - it just goes to show that if you make enough predictions one or two will go right.

The other player I should have mentioned is Tim Visser. Not only did he score his try, but he actually put in a decent defensive shift.

I think Visser needs an honorable mention for his (improved) tackling

Great game, really entertaining and it was great to see a flyhalf taking the ball in with such conviction. Why can't Scotland play with Horne all the time. Seriously, he ran it well and Hogg and Laidlaw have a great combination placing kicking wise. Hogg looked like he had worn his All Black pyjamas the night before.

The only criticism was the lineout.... I don't understand why they do all those dummy jumps, it makes the players look so nervous and there lack of understanding in continuing to play to the french lineout which was so dominant.

The French look like they are building a new philosophy though. They will get a lot better, very quickly. Their offloading looks a little poor at the moment but soon once its embedded in their game it will become a potent weapon.

cakeordeath wrote:I think Visser needs an honorable mention for his (improved) tackling

Agreed. Maitland may find it is not all that easy to get back into the team and if there has been anything silly done or said, may regret it.

BigGee wrote:

cakeordeath wrote:I think Visser needs an honorable mention for his (improved) tackling

Agreed. Maitland may find it is not all that easy to get back into the team and if there has been anything silly done or said, may regret it.

I think Maitland will come back as a replacement in time. He covers the back three and is still a very good allround player. I do think the most likely explanation for Maitland being dropped is loss of form. He'll be back.

BigGee wrote:

cakeordeath wrote:I think Visser needs an honorable mention for his (improved) tackling

Agreed. Maitland may find it is not all that easy to get back into the team and if there has been anything silly done or said, may regret it.

Our wide defence was too passive IMO - France made far too much ground out wide easily.

Ireland will really capitalise on that if we give them the same amount of space.

fa0019 wrote:The French look like they are building a new philosophy though. They will get a lot better, very quickly. Their offloading looks a little poor at the moment but soon once its embedded in their game it will become a potent weapon.

Agreed. They need to get Fofana back at 12. In my view he's the best 12 in the world and sticking him on the wing is just stupid. He's the man to build the backline around, with Trinh-Duc at 10 and Fickou at 13. There's your midfield. They've also missed Huget - an extremely competent player who does all the basics really well. Picamoles missing has also been a big blow.

France will suffer against England next weekend, but I do think that they'll grow as a team under Noves.

France have a few issues to sort out. You can see what they are trying to do but they are still missing the final ingredients. They need to settle at tighthead and fly half because, at the moment, they do not have an answer. Whether Slimani or Plisson are is up for debate. They could do with a bit more dynamism at lock and/or in the back row. They have really missed Picamoles.

Also please play Fofana at 12 and Fickou at 13 against anyone except Scotland. A back 3 with Huget, Medard and another wing (whether that is Vakatawa is up to personal preference) would make life easier for whatever 9/10 you end up settling on.

Hazel Sapling wrote:France have a few issues to sort out. You can see what they are trying to do but they are still missing the final ingredients. They need to settle at tighthead and fly half because, at the moment, they do not have an answer. Whether Slimani or Plisson are is up for debate. They could do with a bit more dynamism at lock and/or in the back row. They have really missed Picamoles.

Also please play Fofana at 12 and Fickou at 13 against anyone except Scotland. A back 3 with Huget, Medard and another wing (whether that is Vakatawa is up to personal preference) would make life easier for whatever 9/10 you end up settling on.  

England wasted 40 caps on Charlie Hodgson who at least was committed to the cause. Plisson is 10 times less of a player. In South Africa he wouldn't even get into a vodacom cup side (4th tier) after boks, SR, Currie. He may be able on his day with a huge pack around him to run a backline (hell even Os Du Randt could do a job under those conditions) but his commitment and lack of mental toughness is clear as day. He's a poisonous player IMO who will drag teams down. Harsh I know but IMO its a fair assessment.

Well, that was the performance that we all hoped this Scotland team could put together in this championship.

I thought there was realy clarity in the way we played, the attacking structure was evident and the players looked like they knew their roles inside out, evidence being how Horne filled in so seamlessley (props to him, I thought he was excellent). I am so enjoying the multi-phase tries we have scored this championship; great ruck speed, good decision making and patience and trust that the attacking systems will bear fruit.

Hogg was obviously excellent, but I would second the praise of R.Gray and Barclay. JB has been the unsung hero of the Scottish team this championship, I have thought.

There is still much to improve on, we need more of a ball carrying threat in the pack, J.Gray doesnt quite have the same impact as he does at club level, and our line out is still erratic, when it should be a strength.

I am headed to Dublin next weekend, it should be a cracking game.

What pleased me most is that it felt like the start of something, rather an isolated win. Sure we have taken the occasional big scalp but now it feels like we won and won because we were better as opposed to fortunate.

As with the Italy and Wales games when was the last time you saw Scotland go through 10-20 phases and score a try at the end of it without dropping it knocking it on or making other mistakes?

The greatest thing Cotter has brought to the team is accuracy and patience.

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:What pleased me most is that it felt like the start of something, rather an isolated win. Sure we have taken the occasional big scalp but now it feels like we won and won because we were better as opposed to fortunate.

As with the Italy and Wales games when was the last time you saw Scotland go through 10-20 phases and score a try at the end of it without dropping it knocking it on or making other mistakes?

The greatest thing Cotter has brought to the team is accuracy and patience.

Absolutely agree. Composure sums up yesterday nicely, it was a mature performance all around. I'm pleased for the players, I'm also pleased for Cotter. I get the feeling that the chimp of modern Scottish rugby has been defeated and we will be able to better manage fluctuations in form and stay on an upward trajectory towards 2020. Ireland will be tough but they should go there knowing they can produce results and could beat Ireland - but like all games we still have to hope for a little luck too, Ireland looked bloody strong against Italy - despite Italy being utterly dire.

Set-piece will be key so lineout needs to be tweaked, otherwise we're looking pretty strong. If Russell is out I fancy Jackson on the bench at least, if not starting, though Weir seems to have that spot in Cotter's mind...

Well done Cotter, well done Scotland.

Hmmmmmmmmmmm..... why did yis have to go and play like that for?

Things were building nicely there for a few hours on Saturday before Sunday turned up.  Ireland, after a very disappointing 6N season, started to play a game that Irish fans have been calling for and they beat the bejaysus out of a rampantly confident and stylish Italy....................................... what???????................. oh okay, so Italy were shyte, so what?  

Anyway, just when we thought we were the bees knees and on for a helluva walkover of the scots next weekend.... they go and do an even better bees knees performance against a much better side (on paper....) than Italy.

Oh well, that's another grand plan in tatters.  I'll be ready to Boo my best as Laidlaw prepares to land the winning penalty kick after a grand game of 62-63 in our favour until the 85th minute.

I'm cautious to get too carried away after that win, as good as it was - we have had so many false dawns I think we need to do more than beat a terrible Italy team and a French team in transition.

I don't mean to downplay things too much - those two wins are still greater than anything we've achieved in the 6N for a number of years, but if we beat Ireland it really will be a truly remarkable result. I don't think I can handle this one becoming yet another false dawn!

Even if we lose I think we can take confidence from this 6N - we absolutely need to build on it though.

Yes...be happy with confidence restored...and let us win....

RDW_Scotland wrote:I'm cautious to get too carried away after that win, as good as it was - we have had so many false dawns I think we need to do more than beat a terrible Italy team and a French team in transition.

I don't mean to downplay things too much - those two wins are still greater than anything we've achieved in the 6N for a number of years, but if we beat Ireland it really will be a truly remarkable result.

Even if we lose I think we can take confidence from this 6N - we absolutely need to build on it though.

I think cautious optimism is my current feeling. Really depends on whether Ireland turn up next week or not, I wouldn't predict a Scottish win, however I think the manner in which yesterday was won gives me more confidence than normal. Despite being under the cosh for half of the game the players stayed calm and went through the systems and came out with a win at the end, even losing a key player right from the start (always rated Horne as a centre, but he really surprised me with how slick he was at FH!).

There are many times France could have got momentum but Scotland responded every time, which has been the biggest thing lacking from our game. Look at how Wales so often pull something out of the bag when they're up against it (obviously too late for them on Saturday but my example stands).We're finally transitioning from becoming a good side that's "unlucky" to a good side that outplays opposition to win.

I'm going to say Ireland will win next weekend, however we should give them a good game. If they play like they did against Italy, I won't be unhappy with a loss as long as Scotland play well and make further progress. As I said earlier, as always we need a bit of luck too.

NeilyBroon wrote:

I think cautious optimism is my current feeling. Really depends on whether Ireland turn up next week or not,

Very good point Neily. I think Scotland hold the edge there too in that I think they're developing nicely into a much more 'consistent' team than Ireland can still pretend to be. Ireland twist effort, and intent and intensity levels and styles of play so much these days between each game that it's very hard to know what they'll do on any given day. At least Scotland have a consistency of effort and tempo that might not always prove successful, but you can be certain they'll have intense periods of solid effort to keep pace up and attack the opposition for sustained periods.

Ireland will have to be genuinely at their best to pull next week off because I don't feel Scotland will care about 'home advantage' and will attack any complacency shown by Ireland to the max.

The Scotland medical team provided the following squad update, having reviewed the players from yesterday’s 29-18 win over France at BT Murrayfield Stadium.

Stand-off Finn Russell sustained a concussion early in the match and was immediately removed from the field of play. He is now subject to the compulsory, graduated return-to-play protocols.

Lock Jonny Gray will have a scan at Spire Murrayfield Hospital today having suffered a pectoral strain.

A number of other players require ongoing assessment and treatment to ensure they are fit to face Ireland in Dublin this Saturday.

Hope Jonny is OK

We really need Jonny Gray to be fit. Not convinced Swinson is even half the player (and Swinson vs Toner is a concerning mismatch), and would be sorely tempted to give Ben Toolis a first start should Jonny Gray not make it.

Fly half will be interesting. Does Cotter go with Horne after that strong performance off the bench, or with a more specialist fly half option like Weir (hope not) or Jackson (hope so)?

I'd also like Denton on the bench in place of Ryan Wilson, especially if the role is to come on as a ball carrying impact sub (and certainly if we are to lose Jonny Gray for Swinson).

RDW_Scotland wrote:

The Scotland medical team provided the following squad update, having reviewed the players from yesterday’s 29-18 win over France at BT Murrayfield Stadium.

Stand-off Finn Russell sustained a concussion early in the match and was immediately removed from the field of play. He is now subject to the compulsory, graduated return-to-play protocols.

Lock Jonny Gray will have a scan at Spire Murrayfield Hospital today having suffered a pectoral strain.

A number of other players require ongoing assessment and treatment to ensure they are fit to face Ireland in Dublin this Saturday.

Hope Jonny is OK

Doesn't sound too bad - I think this may just be precautionary - echo the above that it can't be Swinson, we'd have to bring in Toolis. We could do with a fit Gilchrist right now...

I'd also like to say for the record that Glen Jackson had a decent game. I've not rated him in the past but I thought that on the whole he did well on Sunday.

I was particularly appreciative of him not ruling out the Taylor try and Laidlaw's little pull on the jersey!

Agree fES - I thought he reffed the scrums well too and just let the play continue when there was no 'fault' on either side after it collapsed.

Better than that tw@t Joubert anyway.

Tattie Scones RRN wrote:Agree fES - I thought he reffed the scrums well too and just let the play continue when there was no 'fault' on either side after it collapsed.

Better than that tw@t Joubert anyway.

Also glad Barnes was on the lines and not reffing. I bet he picked up the shirt pull, always has to be the Barnes show.

Not much love for Joubert from some of the Welsh posters after Saturday, albeit I thought he did ok by his standards (meaning he didn't actually soil himself when a tricky decision was required).

I always imagine Barnes spends his free time at home just blowing a whistle.

funnyExiledScot wrote:Not much love for Joubert from some of the Welsh posters after Saturday, albeit I thought he did ok by his standards (meaning he didn't actually soil himself when a tricky decision was required).

I always imagine Barnes spends his free time at home just blowing a whistle.

That's because he just got the TMO to make the decision for him.

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:

funnyExiledScot wrote:Not much love for Joubert from some of the Welsh posters after Saturday, albeit I thought he did ok by his standards (meaning he didn't actually soil himself when a tricky decision was required).

I always imagine Barnes spends his free time at home just blowing a whistle.

That's because he just got the TMO to make the decision for him.

I admire that. If I were a ref that's what I'd do, and just treat the job as basically having the best tickets in the house with a bit of light exercise.

RDW_Scotland wrote:

GLove39 wrote:Well a truly wonderful & historic day that was!
First win over France for a decade. Perfect way to mark mine & wee Greegs 50th match!

But best of all for the first time ever I met one of you lot!

(You totally mentioned your username, started with a C!? But afraid in my druniej state it escapes me... )

Here's to more days like this!

Now bring on the Irish

You are a (minor) celebrity in the Scottish rugby world!

You sure he wasn't calling you something beginning with C??

My money is on CraigS...

Hard to say, come to think of it he did keep saying "can't" a lot...

Also, reading back through the thread, always a joy after a win, how on earth does your phones internet manage to bypass Murrayfield's magnificent signal blocking roof!?

Strangely when BT took over the name of the stadium my phone started working fine inside Murrayfield!