HOW THE SCOTS PLAYED

STUART HOGG (7 out of 10) – Was as busy as ever and tried to spark something but well shackled.

TOMMY SEYMOUR (5) – Took two dull ones in swift succession and was off before the first quarter.

CHRIS HARRIS (7) – Scored one, assisted in the other to give Townsend food for thought ahead of picking his final World Cup squad.

PETER HORNE (5) – Threw another interception pass. His place was taken by Rory Hutchinson late on and maybe his seat on the plane to Japan, too.

SEAN MAITLAND (7) – Bagged his 12th Test try to drag Scotland back into the game. Constantly looked dangerous.

FINN RUSSELL (6) – An awful first half, littered with mistakes and missed passes, though improved in the second 40.

GREIG LAIDLAW (7) – Steadied the ship when we were looking down the barrel and kicked his points.

GORDON REID (7) – Solid against a France pack that was even beastlier than the one that gave us a doing last week.

GEORGE TURNER (7) – Threw himself into tackles and even tried a chip ‘n’ chase which will see him black-balled by the Front Row Union.

W.P. NEL (8) – The main man in the scrum. Wrap him in cotton wool until Japan.

SCOTT CUMMINGS (6) – Just a second cap for the athletic lock and he worked hard but didn’t catch the eye.

SAM SKINNER (6) – Hobbled off with a hamstring injury that could threaten his World Cup.

RYAN WILSON (7) – The breakdown battle was much improved by his trademark aggression.

HAMISH WATSON (7) – Official man of the match but a quietish game by his wrecking-ball standards.

BLADE THOMSON (7) – Showed enough – just - to suggest he could be the ballcarrying No.8 Scotland have searched for.

REPLACEMENTS – Too many to mention, but Blair Kinghorn got most of the game. However, he did as much bad as good. The scrum wasn’t weakened by any changes.