We chucked it all away says Hogg

GAEL FORCE: Scotland can’t stop Fickou scoring STUART HOGG admitted Scotland had only themselves to blame after their hopes of a first win in Paris for 18 years were dashed.

Full-back Hogg scored one of the two Scottish tries, with Tim Swinson touching down the other, but five penalties from France fly-half Camille Lopez proved crucial.

“It was tough going out there,” said Hogg. “France are a massive, physical pack and they brought it to us. But we chucked it away.

“Our errors cost us. We didn’t look after the ball, didn’t respect it, and that cost us.”

France opened the scoring in the seventh minute through Lopez after Josh Strauss failed to release.

Huw Jones soon set up Hogg, who burst over to mark his 50th cap with a 15th international try in the 16th minute. Greig Laidlaw hit the bar with his kick.

Lopez kicked France back in front after Hamish Watson was penalised for obstruction and Scotland skipper Laidlaw limped off in

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the 25th minute. Gael Fickou then ran through Hogg’s tackle and crossed, with Lopez converting. Scotland were quickly back on the attack and Finn Russell reduced the deficit with two penalties.

Swinson went over in the 43rd minute as Tommy Seymour set him free but Russell missed a simple conversion – blasting the ball underneath the bar after it fell off the tee as he rushed his kick – and Lopez soon levelled.

He put his side in front from 35 metres in the 71st minute before doubling the lead with four minutes remaining after the Scots were penalised at a maul.

Head coach Vern Cotter said: “It was a physical encounter and quite a few times we came off second best. But the boys stuck in well defensively.”

FRANCE – Try: Pens: SCOTLAND – Tries: Pens: Con: