Wasteful Scotland blow their big chance
Scotland 16 France 20
LOUIS BIELLE-BIARREY’S late try proved pivotal as France dug out a dramatic 20-16 Six Nations victory over Scotland at Murrayfield – but only after a controversial decision not to award the hosts a try in the last action of the match.
Les Bleus – who lost 38-17 at home to Ireland in their opener last weekend – looked in danger of starting the championship with back-to-back defeats as they trailed for most of the match after Ben White’s seventh-minute try.
However, Bielle-Biarrey’s moment of inspiration in the 70th minute allowed the French – who had scored in the first half through Gael Fickou – to get themselves in front.
The Scots – looking to make it back-to-back wins after their triumph in Wales last weekend – staged a late rally and thought they had claimed the victory when they forced their way over the line after the 80-minute mark, but following a lengthy TMO review, it was deemed that Sam Skinner had not managed to ground the ball.
‘I believe it was a try,’ said Scotland captain Finn Russell. ‘But it’s up to the referee.’
Exasperated head coach Gregor Townsend added: ‘We were celebrating in the coaches’ box. We could hear the TMO’s conversation, saying “the ball was on the foot, then the ball was down” and then he changes his mind and says “stick with the on-field decision”. I don’t know what you can say.’
For all their frustration, Scotland should reflect on how they allowed a clearly out-of-sorts France to get out of Edinburgh with this victory. When they were nursing their lead, the Scots went into their shells and this allowed the French the chance to scrap their way back into contest. There is clear evidence over the past few seasons that Townsend’s side is at its most effective when playing with pace and adventure but their lack of belief in this approach yesterday cost them.
Scotland – already missing key back-three members Blair Kinghorn and Darcy Graham through injury – were forced into a late change in the back division when wing Kyle Steyn withdrew after his wife went into labour. The uncapped Harry Paterson, who was not in the initial 23, was enlisted to start at full-back, with Kyle Rowe shifting to the wing. The Scots went ahead with a superbly worked try in the seventh minute, with some quick passing from Duhan van der Merwe, Paterson and Huw Jones on the right paving the way for Toulon scrum-half White to slide over the line. Finn Russell converted.
The visitors got their first points in the 12th minute through a Thomas Ramos penalty. And they looked certain to get themselves in front three minutes later when Fickou saw a gap on the left and went for it, but Van der Merwe got back to made a vital challenge just before the line. A couple of Russell penalties soon nudged them 10 points clear.
A stark reminder of the French threat came in the 31st minute when they worked an opening on the right for Fickou who forced his way over the line despite the best efforts of Jones. Ramos converted, bringing his team within three.
The French – who played the majority of the Ireland game with 14 men last weekend – suffered a blow two minutes before the interval when Uini Atonio was yellow carded for a dangerous tackle.
The Scots were camped in front of the French line for the closing minutes of the first half but were unable to increase their lead. Matt Fagerson – who had been in the wars – was replaced by Saracens back-rower Andy Christie for the start of the second period.
Following his indiscipline, Atonio would have been hugely relieved to return to the fray with no further scoreline damage.
A 59th minute penalty from Russell opened up a six-point advantage and eased some of the tension among the home support.
Just as the hosts looked to have a good level of control, France turned the game in their favour in the 70th minute when Bielle-Biarrey raced on to his own kick over the top and touched down. Ramos converted to put Les Bleus a point ahead.
The full-back then added a penalty in the 77th minute, ensuring the Scots would need a try to win. They momentarily thought they had it in the dying moments before the officials cut short their celebrations.