6N - Scotland v France

[Duluth]

Gregor Townsend on why he's axed Jamie Ritchie from Scotland 23

The Edinburgh flanker was informed last month that he would not be continuing as skipper due to no longer being guaranteed a place in the back-row.

15 Kyle Rowe, 14 Kyle Steyn, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Sione Tuipulotu, 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Finn Russell (cc), 9 Ben White, 8 Jack Dempsey, 7 Rory Darge (cc), 6 Matt Fagerson, 5 Scott Cummings, 4 Grant Gilchrist, 3 Zander Fagerson, 2 George Turner, 1 Pierre Schoeman

Reserves: 16 Ewan Ashman, 17 Alec Hepburn, 18 Elliot Millar-Mills, 19 Sam Skinner, 20 Andy Christie, 21 George Horne, 22 Ben Healy, 23 Cameron Redpath

[Duluth]

Dylan Coetzee  /  Feb 8  /  France

France change two for Scotland after a record Six Nations defeat to Ireland

France boss Fabien Galthie has called on two Rugby World Cup stars to his starting XV as he looks to bounce back against Scotland.

15 Thomas Ramos, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Gaël Fickou, 12 Jonathan Danty, 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10 Matthieu Jalibert, 9 Maxime Lucu, 8 Grégory Alldritt (c), 7 Charles Ollivon, 6 François Cros, 5 Paul Gabrillagues, 4 Cameron Woki, 3 Uini Atonio, 2 Peato Mauvaka, 1 Cyril Baille

Reserves: 16 Julien Marchard, 17 Sébastien Taofifenua, 18 Dorian Aldegheri, 19 Posolo Tuilagi, 20 Alexandre Roumat, 21 Paul Boudehent, 22 Nolann Le Garrec, 23 Yoram Moefana

[Bones]

That's an absolutely brilliantly taken try by Scotland, just as I was about to brand the game as a shithouse kick fest.

[Bones]

Paterson has got to be happy with his start.

[Victor Meldrew]

@Bones said in 6N - Scotland v France:

That's an absolutely brilliantly taken try by Scotland, just as I was about to brand the game as a shithouse kick fest.

Some great running and support play by van der Merwe

[Bones]

@Victor-Meldrew oh I didn't even notice him.

French support is massively vocal. Game has properly started now.

[Bones]

God I love Fickou.

[Victor Meldrew]

@Bones said in 6N - Scotland v France:

God I love Fickou.

Scotland loved his ability to fuck up a try there...

[Bones]

@Victor-Meldrew said in 6N - Scotland v France:

@Bones said in 6N - Scotland v France:

God I love Fickou.

Scotland loved his ability to fuck up a try there...

Not sure how he fucked up.... maybe he could have slowed up but then that kills the try too. Support needed to do better.

[Victor Meldrew]

@Bones said in 6N - Scotland v France:

oh I didn't even notice him.

Ran a line that made sure the French D focussed on him and opened up space.

[Victor Meldrew]

@Bones Fair point.

[Victor Meldrew]

I don't think Finn Russell's a captain's arse, but fuck me his kicking game is on another level.

[Bones]

@Victor-Meldrew said in 6N - Scotland v France:

I don't think Finn Russell's a captain's arse, but fuck me his kicking game is on another level.

Superb vision, if he had a tad more physical ability he'd probably be the best player in the world and a bit less of a knob jockey.

[Bones]

Jalibert showing superb vision also.

[Bones]

Player behind Paterson touched it before Paterson regathered. Penalty France

[Victor Meldrew]

Reffing is good - clear and concise and the TMO isn't getting in the way and/or wasting time. Pity this isn't a RWC game...

[Jailbreak7]

How in the hell did we lose to this rabble??

[Bones]

@Jailbreak7 we didn't

[Victor Meldrew]

France losing concentration at key times, though you get the impression they could score 2-3 quick tries if they click.

[Jailbreak7]

@Bones France I mean in the RWC. They seem to be suffering from some sort of post shock hangover from then. Scotland hardly look convincing.