Reddy, steady, go
After two sendings-off, France edge a thriller... now to end 18-year Twickenham hoodoo
SHAUN EDWARDS toasted a classic victory in Paris before turning his attention to securing France’s first Six nations win at twickenham for 18 years.
France ended Scotland’s dreams of a first-ever Grand Slam with an opening-quarter siege, charging to a 19-0 lead after 19 minutes, by which point both sides had been reduced to 14 men.
Scotland lock Grant Gilchrist and France prop Mohamed Haouas were shown red cards, leaving open space on the pitch for the likes of Finn Russell and Huw Jones to roam free.
But the deficit proved too large, as Scotland’s dreams of a clean sweep turned to dust. Gael Fickou secured the bonus point for France with a try at the death, meaning both sides remain in the title race if Ireland slip up.
France defence coach Shaun edwards told ITV: ‘they seemed to be attacking in our 22 for a lot of the game but that’s what you expect from a top-class team.
‘We were very, very happy to pull away, get the bonus point and, better for us, Scotland didn’t get a bonus point. We’ll have a beer, because it’s been a tough couple of weeks after losing to Ireland, but then we’ll be planning for england at twickenham.
‘We’ve not won there since 2005, so that’s a big challenge for us.’
Scotland made the worst possible start to the match when they went behind after just four minutes. the French kicked to the corner and no 10 Romain ntamack scored after some powerful carrying from his side’s forwards.
After seven minutes, it looked like any chance Scotland had of victory was over when Gilchrist was red- carded. Matt Fagerson put in a legal tackle on Anthony Jelonch but Gilchrist followed up with a shoulder to Jelonch’s face.
France took full advantage of the extra man by going further ahead. ntamack and Antoine dupont linked up, before winger ethan dumortier scored in the corner.
Scotland were then handed a lifeline due to French indiscipline. Haouas, who had been sent off at Murrayfield three years ago for punching Jamie Ritchie, was given his marching orders after 12 minutes. He launched himself head first into a challenge on Ben White and deserved his red card.
Having parity in numbers inspired Scotland, but prop Zander Fagerson lost control of the ball as he stretched out to score. France had their third try within 19 minutes when a poor pass from Russell proved a gift for thomas Ramos, who sprinted in from his own half to score. Before they knew it, Scotland were 19 points down.
But they fought back. Russell sent Jones through the middle of the French midfield to score and the centre touched down once again in the second half.
Russell was trying every trick in the book to get his side back into the match and his attacking attitude paid off with just 12 minutes to go.
Sione tuipulotu used his power to create space and Ali Price shipped the ball away to Russell, who crashed over the line.
Scotland were in the match until the death, when Fickou touched down for a bonus-point try that could be pivotal if Ireland somehow fall short in the closing rounds.
‘I’m very proud of the team because we probably produced our best rugby of the tournament and didn’t win,’ said Scotland coach Gregor townsend, whose side beat england and Wales in the opening rounds.
‘ It’s weird saying that when you’ve had two big victories. Some of our play today was outstanding. A lot of it was effort-based, to be a man down and still play at the
speed we played at. there was high skill in there and there was resilience.
‘We were over the line on two occasions in the first half and we didn’t score, and we had opportunities in the second half. Really, we’re disappointed.’