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\f0\fs26 \cf2 \cb3 France v Scotland\ With Wales having already clinched the Champonship
earlier in the day, there was a touch of anti climax about this game at Stade de France,
but important for both sides never-the-less.\ The French needing a big win to avoid their
first wooden spoon in 14 years.\ And Scotland seeking their first ever RBS
6 nations win in Paris.Ironically, their last win in the Championship there, was in the
five nations 1999, when France were wooden spoonists..\
In difficult wet and windy conditions, it was the visitors who took the lead after 8
minutes.
Louis Picamole getting caught offside, - referee Nigel Owens awarded a penalty - and Greg Laidlaw
was on target with his kick.
The Edinburgh scrum half has kicked superbly during the championship, and he gave the Scots
a three point lead early on.\ France looked nervous and the officials consulted
before penalising Yoannn Maestri for taking out the jumper at the line-out, it gave Laidlaw
a chance to put another three points on the board.
And he was succesful with the boot to make it 6-0 for the visitors inside the opening
quarter hour.\ After a period of stout Scotland defending
which held the French at bay.....
the closest they came to a first half try, was when Scottish substitute Max Evans, on
for the injured, Sean Maitland; broke the line and chipped ahead and for a moment looked
like he might be through, but Maxime Medard was happy to usher the ball out of play and
the danger was averted..\ As the half time whistle blew, the home side
were subjected to a chorus of boos from the disenchanted French supporters, music to the
ears of the Scots who'd travelled to Paris.\ Whatever St Andre said at half time it had
the desired result France came out with more spirit, and cut and thrust . In the case of
Freddy Michalak a little too much fighting spirit as he and Ali Hogg came head to head
,but they were only warned by the referee for their misbehaviour.\
Soon after Michalak was doing what he was picked to do, and that is slotting over a
penalty to reduce the margin to three points...\ Shortly after that as France cranked up the
pressure, the Scots struggled to hold them out and eventually were penalised by the ref
for offside, and Michalak had the task of kicking the sides level, the 30 year old did
just that to make it 6 all.\ Michalak and Laidlaw exchanged a penalty a
piece to leave it at 9 all.\ Tiredness was creeping in, and mistakes were
being made.\ The first French try eventually arrived on
66 minutes Bastereaud and Nyanga involved, before Wesley Fofana set sail for the line.
He wasn't going to be stopped and Hoggs attempted tackle looked weary.
Fofana ran under the posts to give Michalak the easiest of tasks with the conversion France
with a 16-9 lead\ 10 minutes from time, France crossed over
again.
The instigator was Mathieu Bastereaud once again with a rampaging run at the heart of
the Scots defence.
He was thwarted, but the French maintained the pressure and as the move continued, substitute
Maxime Machenaud, found the other Maxime - Medard- who areered over the line and suddenly hopes
of avoiding the wooden spoon were alive with a 23-9 lead after Michalak converted...\
Wonderful movement and pace from the French backs and Scotland looked heavy legged..
France were now a penalty kick away from condemning Ireland to the Wooden spoon, that was until
five minutes from time when Scotland produced one of those moments of real magic.\
From inside their own 22, the Scots moved the ball wide.
Centre Matt Scott made the break and drew the tacklers before releasing Tim Visser who
sprinted clear, for a really marvellous score.
There was momentary flutters for the Scots as Visser was challenged before getting the
touchdown, which Ruari Jackson converted for 23 - 16...\
Great pace from the man born in Holland for his 2nd try of the championship\
A win for the French, but not by enough to avoid the wooden spoon, or La Cuiller en Bois
in French.
Things can surely only get better for them.\ Scotland finish the campaign with two wins,
and a degree of promise about the side interim coach Scott Johnston is putting together.\
Final score in the last match of the RBS 6 Nations for 2013.\
France 23 Scotland 16\ }