Scotland get their pride back against France at Murrayfield
GREGOR Townsend admitted it was a “far from perfect” performance but he was full of praise for his players after they bounced back from their Nice nightmare.
Centre Chris Harris raced over for the crucial winning try in the second half as Scotland, hammered 32-3 by their rivals seven days earlier, returned to winnings ways and grabbed a crucial pre-World Cup boost.
The only dark clouds on this victory in the warm summer sunshine were injuries to lock Sam Skinner, who sustained a knee injury and may be struggling to make the World Cup, and also head injuries to wing Tommy Seymour and No.8 Blade Thomson.
Skinner was on crutches after the game and is the biggest worry to Townsend whose side face back-toback clashes with Georgia before putting their minds firmly on Japan.
The head coach said: “It was far from perfect but it was so much better than last week. The lads deserve a lot of praise for the way they got that defeat out of their system and showed character.
“I thought there was real bite in the contact area from us today but it was again missed passes and poor judgement that allowed France to get a lead.”
Winger Damian Penaud raced over for a brace of first half tries to put France on top but Sean Maitland replied for the hosts shortly before the break.
Razor sharp Penaud gratefully intercepted Peter Horne’s pass and ran from half way unchallenged for the opening try converted by Thomas Ramos. Greig Laidlaw reduced the advantage with a penalty.
Seymour went off for an HIA after taking a big hit, then another swift and sleek attack opened the home defence with ease. Centre Gael Fickou fed the ball wide right to the supporting Penaud, and the in-form flyer strolled over for his second try.
Scotland were guilty of more handling errors mixed with ill-discipline at times but the home threat remained, and when Blair Kinghorn intercepted and sent Harris on his way, it proved to be the start of a resurgence.
Finn Russell and Horne moved the ball to within a few yards of the uprights and, with the French defence stretched Laidlaw switched the ball left from a ruck and it eventually dropped into the hands of Maitland. The wing trotted over for his side’s first try.
Laidlaw’s conversion lifted the voices of the Murrayfield crowd and you could sense the extra spring in the step of the Scottish players as they strolled off the field at the interval.
Scotland lost Thomson to an HIA three minutes into the second half with the supporters giving a loud reception to favourite John Barclay, his replacement.
Then came the moment that had the Scots fans on their feet, as strong pressure on the French line led to Laidlaw snapping his pass quickly right where Harris took it at full pace and sliced his way over the line. Laidlaw added the extras and the Scots led with less than 20 minutes remaining.
Scotland went close to a clinching try seven minutes from time when Stuart Hogg made a stunning burst through the middle. The full-back chipped over the on-coming defence and caught the bouncing ball at pace before being hauled down short of the line.
Scotland will now be aiming to complete their preparations for Japan with two victories over Georgia.
Hamish Watson, who gave another inspirational performance in the back row, said: “We had to win. We lost a few on the bounce in the Six Nations, so we demanded a win and got it.”
“There was a real desire to do ourselves justice after what happened in Nice where we did not perform at all, and the defeat hurt badly. We wanted to show what we can do with ball in hand and when we put things together.”
Hamish Watson gave another all-action, inspirational performance in the back row and the flanker said: “After last week we knew how good the French team were and we knew we had to be at our best to beat them.
“We fronted up well but there is lots still to work on.
“We had to win here. We lost a few on the bounce in the Six Nations, so we demanded a win and got it.”