France vs Scotland (Dewch ymlaen Yr Alban!)

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France vs Scotland

Stade de France
Friday 26th of March 2021
KO: 20:00
Referee: Wayne "Barnesy" Barnes (England)
TV Coverage: Live on BBC

Teams

France
15-Brice Dulin, 14-Damian Penaud, 13-Virimi Vakatawa, 12-Arthur Vincent, 11-Gael Fickou, 10-Romain Ntamack, 9-Antoine Dupont; 1-Cyril Baille, 2- Julien Marchand, 3-Mohamed Haouas, 4- Bernard Le Roux, 5-Swan Rebbadj, 6-Anthony Jelonch, Charles Ollivon (capt), 8-Gregory Alldritt.

Replacements: 16-Camille Chat, 17-Jean-Baptiste Gros, 18-Uini Atonio, 19-Romain Taofifenua, 20-Dylan Cretin, 21-Baptiste Serin, 22-Anthony Bouthier, 23-Teddy Thomas.

Scotland
15-Stuart Hogg (capt), 14-Darcy Graham, 13-Chris Harris, 12-Sam Johnson, 11-Duhan van der Merwe, 10-Finn Russell, 9-Ali Price; 1-Rory Sutherland, 2-George Turner, 3-Zander Fagerson, 4-Sam Skinner, 5-Grant Gilchrist, 6-Jamie Ritchie, 7-Hamish Watson, 8-Matt Fagerson

Replacements: 16-Dave Cherry, 17-Oli Kebble, 18-Simon Berghan, 19-Alex Craig, 20-Nick Haining, 21-Scott Steele, 22-Adam Hastings, 23-Huw Jones

The fate of Welsh rugby being in Scottish hands is the big talking point after a dramatic and gut wrenching end to Wales Grand Slam hopes. You can read about all the possible title winning scenarios by following this link >>> https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/2021/03/21/scenarios-how-the-guinness-six-nations-title-will-be-decided-by-france-v-scotland/

Scotland

It's a tournament that started so promisingly. A chance of winning a 6N title, ultimately coming down to a tap tackle on DVDM against Wales. Had Scotland won that match and gained 5 points with a BP last gasp score, Scots fans could have been tuning in to watch their team fight it out with France for the title themselves this weekend, even after losing to Ireland at home.

For Scottish fans it is still a crucial match for the following reasons...

The opportunity for Scotland to finish 2nd for the first time in Six Nations history (Our best result being 3rd in 2001, 2006, 2013 and 2018)

The possibility of a first away win to France since 1999

Scottish Lions selection

And on a secondary note, a good win could put Hogg in contention for Player of the Championship for a third time (equalling Brian O'Driscoll's record).

Stats from the 2021 Six Nations

https://www.sixnationsrugby.com/overview/?FixGuid=20FS4243#overview

France and Scotland have very similar statistics after four matches played. Both teams have scored 15 tries a piece, both have made a similar amount of line breaks and scrums and turnovers won. France have a slightly higher return rate per visit to the opposition 22 than Scotland do and nine more dominant tackles. Scotland have a better defensive record with less tackles missed.

Crikey, I forgot that Scotland released our players for the English club final which was played in an international window.

Just shows the farce in not releasing all our players back to us this time.

tigertattie wrote:Crikey, I forgot that Scotland released our players for the English club final which was played in an international window.

Just shows the farce in not releasing all our players back to us this time.

It's a Pro game these days, why did Scotland release them and not ask for compensation?

Amateurs.

This is Covid. Everything is more of a mess than our usual mess. I think the Premiership clubs should have made their Scottish contingent available. Covid us reason enough.

'mon Scotland! I'm awake for this one!

France kicking game causing us trouble already

RDW wrote:'mon Scotland! I'm awake for this one!

Morning boss

Rain is lashing down in Paris. Should have had the game in Edinburgh. We’ve only got a chilly wind

I really need to get home and watch.  But there are so many uncaring people whinging about some silly aches and broken bones and sh*t.   And why do I get stuck with the guy with a colonic ulcer?  Not fair!

It’s a right shame. France need 4 tries and run about rugby with Scotland would have been magic but the pishing rain ain’t helping.

Duhan!!!!!!

Turner doesn’t look like he enjoyed being dropped, he’s having a great game

That shouldn’t have been a try in my opinion

Not that the Welsh will mind

Certainly looked like a double movement to me. Very lucky

Fortuitous call that. Should have gone upstairs given it seem Barnes view was blocked when Duhan actually went over.

Good try for me.

France are going to start chasing this game which could really open things up for us

Turned into a decent start for Scotland. Rain rally nor helping France's needs

Nothing wrong with that try for me to be honest. Keep it up Scotland.

What a kick from Hogg

Starting lions fullback surely???

That's a wonderful kick from Hogg. Right up there with his best tactical kicking against England where he was phenomenal.

This is great place kicking. Russell is playing like a dream

Ball is like a bar of soap

Turner is a man possessed!

21 points is looking huge from here.

Russell, Liam W and Zammit Lions back 3 it is then.

Jimmy Moz wrote:Russell, Liam W and Zammit Lions back 3 it is then.

Russell is a stand off but I’m sure he’ll give it a go

tigertattie wrote:

Jimmy Moz wrote:Russell, Liam W and Zammit Lions back 3 it is then.

Russell is a stand off but I’m sure he’ll give it a go

Can you imagine? Maximum Finnsanity!

Russell is throwing some really suspect passes tonight

France playing dangerously in their 22 a lot - I think we should really make life difficult for them

tigertattie wrote:

Jimmy Moz wrote:Russell, Liam W and Zammit Lions back 3 it is then.

Russell is a stand off but I’m sure he’ll give it a go

Worked with Neil Jenkins in the Lions tour of 97

Hey flounder, when did you last watch us playing live?

Ffs Price just get it out of there

tigertattie wrote:Hey flounder, when did you last watch us playing live?

And have you still got spiders climbing up your leg?

tigertattie wrote:Hey flounder, when did you last watch us playing live?

2020 6N!

It amazes me when commentators don't know the laws in common situations such as that. A bit like when commentators were talking about scoring tries against the base of the posts six months after that law changed. Surely a basic requirement of commentating on flagship sports broadcasting is knowing the laws.

That was so well defended by our backs before the penalty was called - lacking numbers but stayed calm and slided well.


Harris at his best!

We need to watch The offsides. Could be on for a card soon

Under the pump here

That was silly by GG. Brainless penalty

Got to be a card

Stupid hand from Gilchrist in the ruck - could be a yellow although we've not had a warning

VDM should’ve smashed him into touch there, very poor

That's a situation where the unwritten 'warning first, then card' thing can be frustrating. There were 3 or 4 separate penalty infringements with new advantages on the try line in the space of a minute or two.

France finish it off from the scrum. Since calming down a bit they are playing a lot better.

On replay Duhan should do better there. A bit of a floating pass that Penaud has to retreat to take.

TheMildlyFranticLlama wrote:VDM should’ve smashed him into touch there, very poor

He seemed to over run him. Our illustrious flounder will explain the “details” of wing play but it just looked like Duhan took off and forgot to stop

Poor from Duhan - he over ran it.

Try was inevitable!

That was a forward pass

This entire period of pressure came from the scrum pen when Price was fannying about ath the back.

We must have given away 7/8 penalties in 7/8 minutes.

Lucky not to lose a try!

RDW wrote:This entire period of pressure came from the scrum pen when Price was fannying about ath the back.

We must have given away 7/8 penalties in 7/8 minutes.

Lucky not to lose a try!

I’d joy price off at half time. Get Steele on to just not feck up for the next 40 mins

RDW wrote:This entire period of pressure came from the scrum pen when Price was fannying about ath the back.

We must have given away 7/8 penalties in 7/8 minutes.

Lucky not to lose a try!

Absolutely right. I hate that from Price, just sodding move it quickly

We were in complete control for 30 minutes and it absolutely swung the other way. HT very much coming at the right time!

France don’t seem too bothered about winning the championship. Like England it seems they’re playing a longer game.

Scotland’s SA wing is awful in defence.