Six Nations win over French fires up relieved Scots

Relief and optimism for the future flooded the Scottish rugby camp in equal measures following the pulsating 29-18 Six Nations win over France at Murrayfield.

The relief came from the end to a miserable run of seven straight home defeats in the tournament for the Scots, as well as being their first back-to-back Six Nations wins in three years and a first over France in 10 years.

All were causes for celebration and, following opening defeats to England and Wales, it has rekindled the optimism that emanated from the run to the World Cup quarter finals last October where they lost narrowly to Australia.

Coach Vern Cotter, of whom much has been expected since he left French club rugby last year, said that the team effort had been superb

"There was a lot of energy out there on the park, a lot of it came from the supporters as well so it's good to win a game in front of the home fans. Ten years it's been quite a while," he said.
"The players worked hard. They were focussed the whole way through and composed at critical times, because the French had us under pressure, but we managed to get more points than them."

The win was a particular triumph for scrum-half and skipper Greig Laidlaw who was winning his 50th cap at the age of 30 and in so doing equalled David Sole's all-time Scottish record of 25 appearances as captain.

Once again the Gloucester No.9 was rock solid with the boot, adding 11 points to go with the 21 points he nabbed in the 36-20 win over Italy in Rome two weeks ago.

Asked if the victory was all the more special due to his personal milestones, Laidlaw said it was what it meant for the team that took priority.   

"I thought we fronted up well and I thought we finished the stronger team," he said.
"I felt we defended well at the times we needed to, and the fact we put away three tries over France -- that's  a real bonus for us as a team.

"I am more happy we have won the game than it's my 50th cap. We want to finish the tournament strongly next week and it will clearly be a tough game against Ireland.

"It was great for everyone -- for the players, the crowd and the fact that we won at home is a big stepping stone for this team.

"Against England we were disappointing and against Wales we were hardly playing a bad team and we lost by four points.

"We were right in the hunt in these games. We lost by six to England and they are close to a Grand Slam so I am sure we can appreciate we are not far away.

"We are not just happy winning two games, we want to win three games and winning two games away from home would be special."

One doubt for the Ireland game, for which the Scots have only a six-day turnaround, is the head injury that ended fly-half Finn Russell's participation after just four minutes.

"If he passes his protocol then he could be available for the game against Ireland, so we will just have to wait and see," Cotter said.
Source: AFP