Scotland – France (50-40): a rout and no Grand Slam for the Blues

No Grand Slam, okay. But a defeat like this hurts. Completely swept away by the Scottish wave, the Blues sank (50-40) this Saturday at Murrayfield, despite a reaction when the fate of the match was sealed. The last match of the Six Nations Tournament against England at the Stade de France on Saturday March 14 can still allow these overwhelmed Tricolores to win the trophy. This shows the level of competition this season.

But what can we say about this slap, this lesson, when all the lights were green? The successes against the Irish (36-14), Wales (12-54) and Italy (33-8) appear today like flashes in the pan. This French XV lacked everything this Saturday by conceding 50 points, which had never happened to them against Scotland. Caught ahead, dominated in all sectors, the Tricolores only reduced the score once all suspense had faded (47-14, 63rd). The offensive bonus won allows them to maintain the lead in the Tournament. For the rest and particularly in view of the World Cup in Australia in a year and a half, it is mainly big black clouds which darken the horizon of the Blues.

The Scots immediately launched into a game with a frenzied pace. Attacking all the balls, trying to dazzle the Blues with candles while enjoying the beautiful winter sun at their backs, Finn Russell and his teammates took the match in hand. And they scored very quickly, through their right winger Darcy Graham on a quickly played free kick (7-0, 5th). The Tricolores let the storm pass then stuck their noses out.

Positive point, they only needed very little ammunition to restore the score and take the advantage. Antoine Dupont, snatching a ball from Scottish center Tuipulotu in his twenty-two meters, allowed Louis Bielle-Biarrey, shifted to his left wing, to flatten behind the line (7-7, 18th). Four minutes later, Théo Attissogbe, on the left wing, took advantage of a small follow-up kick from Louis Bielle-Biarrey to cross the line in turn (7-14, 22nd). We then think that the Blues have started their match. Error. The domination is Scottish. The reaction is immediate.

Winger Kyle Steyn deceives the French defense which he takes on the wrong foot (12-14, 27th) just before pillar Pierre Schoeman scores flush with a regroupment (19-14, 32nd). On the action, Matthieu Jalibert receives a yellow card for repeated fouls. The sky is getting darker for the Blues even if no cloud hangs over Murrayfield.

It was in the second half that Fabien Galthié’s players really took on water. Unable to get their hands on the ball, suffering Scottish attacks, they gave in, particularly passive, to a start from scrum half Ben White five meters from the goal line (26-14, 44th). Seven minutes later, Antoine Dupont was intercepted. Winger Kyle Steyn finished behind the posts (51st, 33-14). The points scroll. Blues are transparent.

Antoine Dupont’s try on an 80-meter restart (66th), then that of Thomas Ramos (74th), before those of Oscar Jegou (79th) then Thomas Ramos (80th) again, just allowed the Blues to win the offensive bonus. Not enough to raise your head but enough to maintain that of the Tournament. Almost a paradox.