Any side travelling to the hostility of the Stade de France knows that the prospects of leaving with a win are gloomy. The claustrophobic atmosphere- passionate and overwhelming- combined with the vigour of a French side looking to end their unsettling run of form in the last few RBS Six Nations tournaments, meant that Scotland were in for a tough time in Paris; all the more impressive then, that the visitors conceded no tries and scored a magnificent one of their own. There are fine margins in rugby, and had Scotland behaved themselves at the breakdown, then a win would have been there for the taking.
Indiscipline Blemishes Promising Scotland Performance
They started with strong intent, and the early replacement for winger Tommy Seymour, Dougie Fife, finished off a well-worked overlap to score in the corner just before the break. The promise of the Scotland backs was clear throughout the match: pulling the strings was 22-year old fly-half Finn Russell who had a strong Six Nations debut. In midfield, Alex Dunbar and Mark Bennett both applied themselves brilliantly, the latter making an outstanding try-saving tackle on France winger, Yoann Huget, in the 72nd minute, showing the exact tenacity which Coach, Vern Cotter, will have been looking for.
However, the standout member of the backline was Stuart Hogg. The British and Irish Lion showed-off his expert attacking variety; he sold two French forwards through an exquisite dummy in the 26th minute, and at other moments he stepped in at first-receiver to pose yet more questions to the French brick wall-esque defence. He also demonstrated his solidity under the high ball throughout the match.
In contrast, the performance of Scotland’s forwards was brilliant to some extent, yet infuriating. The old saying, ‘forwards win matches, backs decide by how many’ was especially relevant in this game. Their set-piece was superb; Jonny Gray was an ever-reliable lineout-leaper, and Euan Murray was the cornerstone of a solid scrum, but the forwards conceded five of the six kickable penalties (the other was foolishly conceded by Fife, as he threw the ball into the stands in anger!).
France fly-half Camille Lopez duly punished the visitors’ poor discipline, kicking all of their points. The Scottish forwards got their team into a winning position, and simultaneously blew it.
It was indiscipline across the field that cost Scotland, not just the concession of penalties within goal-kicking range. If they want to become a top-drawer team, then they must stamp out such ill discipline. They gave away eleven penalties in the match, which harmed both field position, and evidently, the scoreboard. Their promising attacking play kept breaking down, leaving the Scots marching forty metres back down the field.
They were also guilty of trying to over-play with ball in hand. France had the lion share of territory in the second-half because Scotland were trying to run from everywhere. Instead, Greig Laidlaw and the inexperienced Russell needed to manage the game better, and to put boot to ball more frequently. This forcefulness led to inevitable knock-ons which meant Scotland, for the entire second-half, had to quell France’s attacks, instead of creating their own. The fact that they then kept France away from the try-line adds salt to the wounds. Had they stayed in the referee’s good books, and had territory of their own, then the outcome of the match may have been different. Yet again, Scotland were guilty of shooting themselves in the foot.
At the moment, Scotland have to learn how to walk again, before they can start running. Basic errors such as conceding daft penalties or needless knock-ons have to, and will be ironed out over the duration of the Six Nations. Every week, Vern Cotter will refine his team, and begin the process of moulding them into a balanced and dangerous side. His master plan is already bearing fruits. The result of last weekend, away in France, was not the be all and end all. However, in front of a home crowd this Saturday, facing a dispirited Wales team, the ball is in Scotland’s court again, and it is vital that they stay in line with the rule book, and build on what was a promising opening performance against France.
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