6N 2017: France v Scotland, 12 February

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FRANCE v SCOTLAND
12 February 2017
16:00 CET (UTC+1)
Stade de France, Paris

Referee: Jaco Peyper (RSA)
Touch judges: John Lacey (IRE) & Luke Pearce (ENG)
TMO: Peter Fitzgibbon (IRE)

Live on [BBC, RTE, DMAX, FR2, ITV (H)]

A. Head to Head

90 Played 90
52 Won 35
3 Drawn 3
35 Lost 52
1,280 Points 1,102

B. Recent Form

13 March 2016
Murrayfield, Edinburgh
29 – 18 to Scotland

5 September 2015
Stade de France, Saint-Denis
19 – 16 to France

7 February 2015
Stade de France, Saint-Denis
15 – 8 to France

8 March 2014
Murrayfield, Edinburgh
17 – 19 to France

16 March 2013
Stade de France, Saint-Denis
23 – 16 to France

26 February 2012
Murrayfield, Edinburgh
17 – 23 to France

C. Teams

FRANCE 

15-Scott Spedding; 14-Noa Nakaitaci, 13-Remi Lamerat, 12-Gael Fickou, 11-Virimi Vakatawa; 10-Camille Lopez, 9-Baptiste Serin; 1-Cyril Baille, 2-Guilhem Guirado, 3-Uini Atonio, (captain), 4-Sebastien Vahaamahina, 5-Yoann Maestri, 6-Loann Goujon, 7-Kevin Gourdon, 8-Louis Picamoles,

Replacements: 16-Christopher Tolofua, 17-Rabah Slimani, 18-Xavier Chiocci, 19-Julian Le Devedec, 20-Damien Chouly, 21-Maxime Machenaud, 22-Jean-Marc Doussain, 23-Yoann Huget

SCOTLAND

15-Stuart Hogg, 14-Sean Maitland, 13-Tommy Seymour, 12-Huw Jones, 11-Alex Dunbar, 10-Finn Russell, 9-Greig Laidlaw; 1-Allan Dell, 2-Fraser Brown, 3-Zander Fagerson, 4-Richie Gray, 5-Jonny Gray, 6-John Barclay, 7-Josh Strauss, 8- Hamish Watson.

Replacements: 16-Ross Ford, 17-Gordon Reid, 18-Simon Berghan, 19-Tim Swinson, 20-John Hardie, 21-Alistair Price, 22-Duncan Weir, 23-Mark Bennett.

Rob Harley is way too under powered for that French pack , where was / is CDP ?

alive555 wrote:Rob Harley is way too under powered for that French pack , where was / is CDP ?

Nowhere - he wasn't even playing for Edinburgh. His form hasn't been great this season but he's probably the most physical forward we have available.

RDW_Scotland wrote:

alive555 wrote:Rob Harley is way too under powered for that French pack , where was / is CDP ?

Nowhere - he wasn't even playing for Edinburgh. His form hasn't been great this season but he's probably the most physical forward we have available.

The form of CDP really is one of the great mysteries of Scottish rugby this season, why has he dropped off so badly?

With the prospect of getting capped, it is hard to imagine that his motivation is lacking, or has the ankle injury just not healed properly and left him a little be diminished.

VC has had him into the squad a couple of times and does not appear to have been massively moved by what he has seen. Him not getting picked for Edinburgh is even more worrying as for the past 3 years, he would have been the first name on the team sheet. No-one else has even come close.

What is going on?

but he was called up to the squad 3 weeks ago so must be in the mix unless hes injured ?

alive555 wrote:but he was called up to the squad 3 weeks ago so must be in the mix unless hes injured ?

He was in the squad last autumn as well as well but has not been in the selection mix. Was sent back to Edinburgh who did not even put him in the squad. When Wilson pulled out, they went straight for Hardie, who was barely match fit himself.

Part of me thinks they just need to give him a go. We know what he can do (even if he has not been doing it recently) VC himself said that he brings a dimension that other players don't have.

Maybe injuries will force VCs hand this time around.

Josh Strauss confirmed as off. Can only assume Rennie has a project 8 lined up otherwise Glasgow may really regret this ! By far their best ball carrier.

Questions for you all. Anyone else spot Dunbar getting dragged off the pitch by his neck?
It just popped into my mind, but can't for the life of me remember when it happened.
Anyone got any ideas?

Didn't he mistime an attempted tackle? And then he seemed to jar it again a couple more times.

Re CDP's disappearance from Edinburgh's ranks, is it possible he was the travelling "extra" sub who doesn't get onto the bench but is there in case of very late injury/illness?

InjuredYetAgain wrote:Didn't he mistime an attempted tackle? And then he seemed to jar it again a couple more times.

Re CDP's disappearance from Edinburgh's ranks, is it possible he was the travelling "extra" sub who doesn't get onto the bench but is there in case of very late injury/illness?

Certainly hoping that was the case! I'd hate to think that he's fallen so far down the pecking order that he can't even bench for Edinburgh when numbers are depleted!

GLove39 wrote:Questions for you all. Anyone else spot Dunbar getting dragged off the pitch by his neck?
It just popped into my mind, but can't for the life of me remember when it happened.
Anyone got any ideas?

Yes, I saw thought I saw this. Had a look at around 56mins on the clock and it was actually Maitland dragged off.

Greig Laidlaw has been ruled out of the rest of the 6N.

Can we cope? Big test for Price and Russell now.

RDW_Scotland wrote:Greig Laidlaw has been ruled out of the rest of the 6N.

Can we cope? Big test for Price and Russell now.

Price starting does not worry me and Russell needs to get used to kicking in pressure situations. It is not like we are competing for top spot this year (that will come hopefully in a couple more years) so this will serve a purpose either way. He will be more focused after last weekend as well.

What does worry me is what I saw of Pyrgos against Scarlets. He was poor. If Price goes off early and Pyrgos plays like that, Scotland will lose. Big weekend for both SHC and Pyrgos to prove which should bench.

Goal kicking worries me - 1/2P is a world class goal kicker, Russell is not. This game is going to be as tight as the clamp around my wallet and it could prove to be the difference.

At least Russell is going to have 2 weeks knowing that he is going to have to run the show (and practice his kicking from in front of the posts!)

FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK

RDW_Scotland wrote:Goal kicking worries me - 1/2P is a world class goal kicker, Russell is not.  This game is going to be as tight as the clamp around my wallet and it could prove to be the difference.

At least Russell is going to have 2 weeks knowing that he is going to have to run the show (and practice his kicking from in front of the posts!)

Blame the bully boys behind him who were trying to be too smart in goading him to take it instantly because they thought the ref was going to call for a TMO on the try.

Glacial Greg has bee holding Scotland back for years. This is what we all wanted...

In case you can't tell this was monstrously sarcastic. Russell needs to get his head screwed on pronto for this game. It is now for all intents and purposes the Glasgow back line. Here's hoping they play like it

Ouch, I was hoping you would turn Wales over.

Still can I think, home advantage will help and I'm not entirely convinced by Wales at the moment. I sincerely hope we can win this one too. Mainly to shut my dad up.

Laidlaw is a massive blow. I felt we missed his cool head in Paris.

Still, Price is a talented player and the experience will do him good. Hopefully his stupidity in Paris is not something we'll see repeated.

Yup, we'll miss Greig, no doubt about it!

Russell is going to have to mature very quickly as a player. I'd actually expect Toonie to get in touch with him to say that this is his time to actually step up as an international player! He's not going to have Greig there to take the decision making duties so he's going to have to live and die by his own decisions.

Hopefully it's the making of him as a more rounded player!

Laidlaw is out? Oh I don't mean to wish injury on a player but at least we should be able to handle Scotland much better now with the inexperienced Price in in his pla.....................

Oh we already played Scotland? .... And lost?

Damn it!

Cotter had said he wanted to see Dancer running the game more and we did see more of that against France. Laidlaw did less game management than usual but he did show great leadership I thought especially against Ireland

TJ wrote:Cotter had said he wanted to see Dancer running the game more and we did see more of that against France.  Laidlaw did less game management than usual but he did show great leadership I thought especially against Ireland

And look how that turned out!

Well I am actually ok with the news

It is time to see what the team without Laidlaw will do.

Glasgow have been fine this year and we often moan about Laidlaw slowing us down

lets got to it - and win :-)

No front row, no captain, no reliable kicker.
OHHH, DEAR GOD!

With my attendance to win ratio in 2017, I'm thinking that perhaps I should have gone to Paris.

GLove39 wrote:No front row, no captain, no reliable kicker.
OHHH, DEAR GOD!

Oh well, now we don't have anyone to kick the scrum penalties we won't get. Shame.

The real reason for Russell's botched kick. Not sure if this was discussed already.

https://www.balls.ie/rugby/finn-russell-conversion-explained-359024

I think losing Laidlaw is an opportunity. I still believe the boys can beat Wales, it's time for everyone to step up and perhaps this'll be the motivation they need.

Gray to be captain I think, Barclay isn't a certainty so I wouldn't say he's a sensible choice. Dunbar may be a bolter for captaincy, keeps his nose clean and is excellent at organising those around him in defence.

We badly missed Laidlaw's game management against France. There is more to a game than a SH getting to a breakdown and getting the ball away asap. Judging WHEN to do that is the art Laidlaw has.

We'll miss his influence but as Neily says we do need options covering for him

Laidlaw is a big blow to the team we have watched progress over the years but perhaps this will unlock some new potential? Despite winning more games Laidlaw has had plenty of critics. Interesting weeks ahead and a brilliant opportunity for Price to steal the no.9 shirt with Toonie taking over this year.

For all that I love making fun of Saint Frodo of Gloucester, I cannot deny that losing him is a blow.

We will need to train a different way now. Really could have been worse though:

1. Imagine if Finn had been injured instead. All chances of beating Wales fecked.
2. We now have a precious week off to get our act together. Cotter will need to earn his money now, establish who will lead on the field and tell players to let their new responsibilities sink in. If the injury was going to come at any time, it might as well have been now.
3. Where we are is clear. What would have been worse would have been for the injury to have been slight, for the squad to hold the hope that he might play and then panic when he dropped out at the last moment.
4. Russell can actually kick, you know. When he doesn't have Nathan Hines screaming over his shoulder, he also tends to knock them over.
5. Price, Pyrgos and Russell play together week in, week out. No chemistry or continuity problems.
6. Our strength is to play fast. Like it or not, Laidlaw DOES mean slower service.
7. There isn't really a point 7.

What we need now is for our more experienced players to be fit. I'm looking at you, John Barclay.

But, George, being a lawyer, I'm sure you'll charge for the non existent point 7?

Having seen JG (only on TV admittedly) against Leicester, he seems the natural successor although what does it say another rest of the squad if someone barely out of school is the obvious choice?

InjuredYetAgain wrote:But, George, being a lawyer, I'm sure you'll charge for the non existent point 7?

Having seen JG (only on TV admittedly) against Leicester, he seems the natural successor although what does it say another rest of the squad if someone barely out of school is the obvious choice?

Totally. I thought for at least 6 minutes about whether there should be a point 7, so I'm 'on the clock' I'm afraid.

Starbucks service was a bit slow today, wasn't it - 6 minutes?! No wonder you would want to add that to a client's bill

InjuredYetAgain wrote:Starbucks service was a bit slow today, wasn't it - 6 minutes?! No wonder you would want to add that to a client's bill

More of a particularly troublesome dump.

does anyone moderate this immature guff ?

bsando wrote:Laidlaw is a big blow to the team we have watched progress over the years but perhaps this will unlock some new potential? Despite winning more games Laidlaw has had plenty of critics. Interesting weeks ahead and a brilliant opportunity for Price to steal the no.9 shirt with Toonie taking over this year.

Stranger things have happend - Price could put some storming performances in and take over the 9 shirt for himself.  Laidlaw could then be 'rested' for the summer tour (or, less likely, with the Lions) and before you know it he's struggling to get back in the team.

Alternatively we could lose the next 3 games, Price and Russell lose all control and we set up a crowd funding page to get Laidlaw a new ankle!

I am fine wiith Price coming in. He has been playing well and deserves the chance. He may lack a bit of nouse that laidlaw has, but he has got speed of feet and pass that laidlaw has not. In time it may be that Price starts and Laidlaw comes on to close out the game.

To win games, we are going to need to score tries and our best way of doing that will be a Price-Russell axis at half back.

alive555 wrote:does anyone moderate this immature guff ?

Yes - several of the mods are on here - you should see how bad it is without them

It will be interesting to see how well Russell adapts to the pressures of having to run the game. This change was going to have to happen at some point, hopefully Finn adapts quickly.

As is obvious, he lost the head in the France game. However, it is worth noting just how difficult it is to manage a game when the scrum is going backwards so quickly - he doesn't have too much experience in those situations either.

Strauss is out for the rest of the 6Nations

Step up CDP or Bradbury! Surely?

or we going with Barclay, Wilson, Watson? (Scott Johnson won't be happy with so few number 8s in the team)

I'm assuming Bradbury will now be called up given that Barclay is probably doubtful too.

Big blow losing Strauss - time for CDP to step up. I wonder if he'll be pulled from the Edinburgh game? It would be a mistake IMO as he needs gametime.

Now Laidlaw is out for the rest of the 6ns, and how Russell fluffed that easy kick the other day.
Why not give the kicking duties to Hogg.

Wales give Half Penny the kicks at goal, so why don't Scotland do the same?

All this talk about having a relegation in the 6Ns to let Georgia have a crack at it, I think we should just kick out France! They're hurting too many of the other nation's players!

Hogg kicks even less for club and country - Russell is first choice kicker for Glasgow.

Hogg takes the long range kicks for both, and usually misses!

RDW_Scotland wrote:I'm assuming Bradbury will now be called up given that Barclay is probably doubtful too.

Big blow losing Strauss - time for CDP to step up. I wonder if he'll be pulled from the Edinburgh game? It would be a mistake IMO as he needs gametime.

He and Bradbury need to play and put their hands up for selection, Ashe at Glasgow and Denton as well. None of them looking very convincing so far but maybe this may spur them on.

We are not actually that short of options at No.8 but none of them currently playing as well as JS.

Hopefully Strauss has time to regain his form before the Sarries game. He has looked good this season.

Wilson not playing for Glasgow makes sense if they plan on starting him at 8. Watson will be at 7. If Barclay is healthy, he is at 6 otherwise Harley, Ashe, Bradbury and CDP are competing over 2 spots