Scotland v France Six Nations Rugby

Springtime in Scotland, and the Six Nations championship could be won ad

money field today but not by either side in action. If Scotland triumph,

their first against France in a decade would hand the title to

England but a French victory and it goes to the final match on the final

weekend. So here we have the UNESCO world Heritage site that is

Edinburgh on a glorious Sunday afternoon. Murrayfield is

resplendent in the middle, the home of Scottish rugby for almost a

century. If the Six Nations up until yesterday appeared like rugby with

the handbrake on com yesterday, someone released the button at the

Aviva Stadium and Twickenham bolster there's a lot the Jonathan Davies,

Andy Nicol and Jeremy Gask to talk about in next half-hour or so as we

countdown toward kick-off at 3pm here, Scotland against France.

Without further ado, let's go back to Twitter then yesterday afternoon

and before the match, depending on what side of the beds you are on, it

was either all about the Grand Slam orbiting for the corner in the Cup.

Either way, once the game began, it produced the match of the

championship so far. -- or kicking for the corner.

COMMENTATOR: George Kruis, Knole, getting away from George North but

Wales quickly regroup. Mike Brown for his club captain, Chris Robshaw,

going for the line! Wales scurry back but it is loose and Evans got

back. Did he get a hand on the ball? That is the kind of chance that

England should take. Tremendous break by Brown, Jack Nowell outside

him. Difficult to tell. REFEREE: Looking for clarity as to whether it

was knocked on. Does it come back of Liam Williams' elbow? The white

player has been tackled and Abbey has gone to ground it is a red elbow

that dislodges the ball. Now we need to play through and consider

grounding. Thanks. Is that a knock-on or rolling along the ground

as it goes up the forearm? If the ball is in the in-goal area, the

only has to have the slightest downward pressure. Nine White has

proceeded to knock the ball on. So a scrum, knocked on? That is correct.

WHISTLE No try, lost forward.

Kruis takes the line-out, and setting up the driving maul.

Vunipola resets and goes on his own. Youngs. Maro Itoje. Mahler.

Youngs. Still Ben Youngs, five metres out. Robshaw.

Dylan Hartley, the captain. Four meters. Billy Vunipola, three

metres. James Haskell. Two metres. Dan Cole, the prop, so close.

Impossible to tell from this angle. Craig Joubert, difficult for him as

well. The post was in the way. REFEREE: I have not seen the

grounding. I have seen the ball held up initially. So we are taking the

footage? Asking the TMO if there's any reason he cannot give a try

which means he has to find positive evidence it was not. Here, it is yes

or no, your opinion, on the leg, there, does it rollover at any

point? That is all. Footage is inconclusive. WHISTLE

Inconclusive, held up, five metre scrum. At the end of the day, it was

a very marginal call. If they don't see that, they can't get and they

should not give it. Quarter of an hour gone, England very much on the

attack, two TMO decisions. After all this, England have to score.

Interesting formation behind the scrum. Ben Youngs will concentrate

on this, personally. -- Thursday. The front row go up and Wales now

going backwards but it has gone down, penalty advantage being

played. Youngs, held as he tried to break away from the scrum. WHISTLE

It is a penalty scrum for England. Decision time! An early one for

Dylan Hartley. Take the point. Given the pressure was on Wales in the

middle of the field and they had been under pressure earlier, nearer

their line, I think they will be relatively pleased it is only three

points. A confident start by England. The simplest penalties for

Owen two out of two for him from the kicking tee and England lead 6-0.

Hartley. Finding Robshaw. Jack Nowell. I don't think that was so

smoothly done by England, high tackle by Denny Roberts. Everyone

playing on. Itoje, good athleticism by the second row, Mike Brown,

Anthony Watson! England in full control, just after the half-hour

mark. Great work by Itoje. Mike Brown running the right angle,

leaving on the inside shoulder. The defender cannot drift. Good work by

Joe Marler, actually. He's a magnificent specimen, Maro Itoje.

21. 21 years old and doing that, going through one of the meanest

defences in the game. Anthony Watson with the finish but it was as much

Maro Itoje's try as anyone's. England's put in and ahead spot up.

-- and Lee heads pop up. Samson Lee is at right angles and Joe Marler is

straight, it is very obvious. Look at this, Joe Marler is straight, who

goes in first? Wales have had so little ball, so little platform from

which to work. That is what happens. A couple of changes, the front row

go off, Baldwin, Samson Lee and Rob Evans and on com Ken Owens, Paul

James and Tomas Francis. -- on com. George Ford, Dan Biggar. Wales B on

the scoreboard at last! A gift from England. -- will be. Great work by

Dan Biggar. Great work by Dan Biggar but George Ford, well, he had enough

time, if there is any danger, move it won on, that is the reason you

have Farrell Blair. If there's any doubt, Jamie Roberts is further

back, simple ball out to Farrell, who has a bit more time and can be a

bit deeper having held out against the stained Welsh pressure, it is a

gift. -- sustained Welsh pressure. England, having been in command,

rocked by a charge down try. Valet hour and Roberts. Reading it well.

-- Toby Faletau. Therefore Gareth Davies, Dan Biggar, Jonathan Davies,

big handoff on Jonathan Joseph, George North but the referee's

whistle has gone and it won't count. It went off and England player but

was it forward out of Jonathan Davies' grasp? Valet out -- Faletau

with the line-out, the ball played towards Tipuric. Play on, says the

referee, the maul has become a ruck. Hardly did well, there. Two offside,

Hartley one of them. Scrum or line-out? It is going to come now.

REFEREE: You can't continue to concede penalties every time you are

defending. If the trend continues, one goes to the bin. Well, that is

quite clear. Wales just have to keep their

discipline, here. Set it up properly. Luke Charteris does that.

They all pile in. The backs pouring in. England have reduced it to a

ruck again which is part of the operation. WHISTLE

Someone is going. Someone has to go now, he delivered the warning. It is

Dan Cole. It is like Luke Charteris, he looked for the person in pain and

compounded it. REFEREE: You collapsed the maul that was going

forward. From an England point of view, when they have got the Welsh

initial maul going backwards, that is when to take it down, not when

you are going backwards. Contact has been made to the face of white

number three. This may explain why Dan Cole was in pain. He has not

hurt him, it was a flick but it was gouging the eyes. It is just the

colour. The red player's fingers have made contact with the base of

white three. It is in conclusive, due to only having one angle,

whether the action was deliberate or not. I would be satisfied with a

penalty kick for contact with the face will stop you know what? That

is a copout. If you have an angle which shows you that you what

happened, why do you need another to show you is what happened? --

exactly what happened. Faletau feeding Rhys Webb. Rhys Priestland,

fresh on. Jonathan Davies to Liam Williams and back the Davies Ana

Pastor George North! Wales score! -- and the path to George North. Six

and a bit minutes to go, George North with a second try for Wales.

When you play positively from the scrum ball, you might score again.

11 points, the difference. Great off-load. Lovely. Jonathan Davies,

this is a difficult pass, well floated beyond the England three

quarters and George North with the finish. Suddenly a spring in the

Welsh step. Roberts. Liam Williams. Jonathan Davies. Out to the try

scoring George North. North, up to the England 22. Reece Webb-Foster

Bradley Davies. -- Rhys Webb changes direction. Davies, take the contact.

Rhys Webb. Rhys Priestland. A little dart on

his own. Webb. Faletau for the line! Wales with a third try! Is their

time? Dan Cole's yellow card is proving very costly. As soon as

Wales got a bit of belief and a bit of momentum, it's an entirely

different game. Charteris is waiting. England's defence around

the fringes is solid. What is it like out here? George North for the

line! He's in touch. That's it, I think. Ten seconds to go, the

referee's whistle has gone. They should take the line-out. Manu

Tuilagi returns and makes a contribution by putting George North

out of play. Up they go. They win it through Joe Launchbury. Danny Care

kicks it into the crowd! England survive the late challenge by Wales.

Eddie Jones' team are on track for the Grand Slam but there was drama

and to the end. The final score at Twickenham, unbeaten England 25-21

Wales. It was two games in one, the 60 minute we were pretty good and

the last 20, Wales were pretty good but lucky we had 60 and they only

had 20. Where were Wales in the first 40? We were terrible, did not

turn up, really unlike us. I said in the box after 25 minutes, did I need

to make changes? Make some replacements to get some energy into

the first half because like I said, it was very unlike us, very

disappointing. It nearly cost us the game. What is it like to be man of

the match in your second start for England? I think it is more pleasing

to be part of a winning team. I'm very fortunate to be a part of this

team. I really enjoyed myself so far. I hope it continues. Do you

think Tomas Francis is going to attract the attention of the citing

officer? The TMO said it was not conclusive in his opinion, to be

honest, when I first saw it, it did not look brilliant. But I've only

just seen it like everyone else. You have got one hand on the Six Nations

trophy. Finish the job? All we have got to do and worry about is

preparing well now. If we prepare well, we will play well so we will

prepare well. Happy to embrace the fact the Grand Slam is on in Paris?

Yes, that's it now, the aim is to win the Grand Slam. This is how the

table looks after Ireland's emphatic victory over Italy, and we will show

you the best bits of that in a while. England are set to perhaps

take a Grand Slam in Paris next weekend. Lots to discuss about that

game, not least things that have come to light this morning. We will

talk about Tomas Francis and possibly the eye gouging accusation

and also an incident involving Joe Marler, of which more in a moment or

so. A lot of Welsh bands last night, with mock irony, where saying it was

almost a bigger robbery than Hatton Garden if Wales had come through and

won it at the end but right at the end, could Wales have won it if

George North... He was not in touch, was he? I don't think he was, no. If

you look at the replay, Itoje had got Webb lined up.

It goes to the left-hand side. It is a lovely pass and they change their

tactics were to change the game. He's not in touch but Itoje is all

over Webb. He would have nailed him anyway. Definitely not in touch, the

ball is gone, his foot is not in touch, his knee is not on the

ground. It is play on. But I think Itoje had it covered. He would have

put it into the third row of the stand, maybe so luckily the whistle

had gone. What did you make of England? I love the style they are

playing with. Eddie Jones has instilled this belief, play what is

in front of you, heads up rugby. He's taken his time. It took Stuart

Lancaster four seasons and it did not quite happen but with Eddie

Jones, they have been heads up and playing with tempo. And the accuracy

is what is causing defences problems. Here we see the Welsh

defence, all good, so England decide to hit hard and suck in the defence.

Dylan Hartley goes in and sucks in the defence. George North is always

edging towards the breakdown and that is the space England need to

attack. Great off-load from Dylan Hartley, Ford reads it and they

attack the space they saw earlier. Great communication and great use of

space and accuracy in execution. Again, quick ball after another poor

kick from Wales, they capitalise. George Kruis sucking in the defence

again. When Young's was brilliant in his distribution and running

yesterday. Jack Nowell, they don't lose their heads, they know what

they are doing, reproduce the ball, quickly if they can, Davies has

overrun so they can bust group and he just needs to pin his ears back

and go for the corner. Mike Brown will look at that and be a bit

disappointed. He could have scored a try, there. If you just watch, they

had a lot of opportunities. They all played really well. Another

opportunity, like Jerry said, two against one, if he holds on comedy

scores again. That is communication and I guess it is the confidence of

George Ford, he should have sucked in Dan Biggar and released Watson.

What I like about England, the general we cycling of the ball is

very quick. When it was quick, George Ford stepped in and the ball

hit him and he controlled it. When it was slow, the forwards were

chucking it up so the game management was very good. They had

speedy recycling. They cut Wales open in the first ten or 15 minutes

and they could have scored a few tries. I was watching it in the

stand yesterday and I was impressed with England, the build-up play we

have seen and if they'd been a bit more clinical, the game was over by

half-time. A hugely dominant first 40 minutes. Warren Gatland said that

Wales were terrible in his interview. Why were they terrible?

The line speed was poor and the distribution was poor. They made a

lot of mistakes and yet the biggest attacking ploy was the up and under.

But they lost the aerial battle. The chase was not good, here. They just

handed possession over to England. When they had possession, they

kicked it and lost the aerial battle and the chase was not good. When

they had the ball in the line-out, they lost a few line-outs,

crucially, one in the England 22. But also, they missed 19 tackles in

the first half, and there's two of them which led to the Watson dry.

Add to that turnovers. But no matter how badly Wales played, they had

opportunities. Look at this. The ball goes out and he's got to stay

on the outside, Baldwin, if he just stayed and goes outside, hits the

angle, draws the winger, there's two men on the outside. The ball goes to

ground. When Wales were chasing the game, they changed their style of

football. Vunipola was in the outside centre position on numerous

occasions. If you just sit at watch and look at where he is, no matter

how badly Wales played, they still had opportunities. With the risk of

sounding like a stuck record, but we have said it in the last two weeks,

the whole thing about our Wales are going to go on tour to New Zealand

in the summer, how they are going to be the big dogs in the southern

hemisphere, you're not going to do it by just defending, are you? You

have to be more positive and attacking and in a sense, that is

what England were from the first yesterday. I think England have

played with that attitude throughout the championship so far, they have

had ten or 11 tries, and 80% of them have been from heads up rugby.

They've not been caught in the line-out, driven, rolling maul,

flopped over the line. It has been playing what's in front of them,

with good communication and excellent decision-making. If Wales

played against New Zealand for the first 40 minutes, that's 40 points

because New Zealand are so clinical when they get those opportunities.

They need to step up. Quickly, Maro Itoje, are we seeing the gestation

of a potential rugby superstar? I think so, I watched him alone for

ten or 15 minutes and it's not just the physical specimen and making

good decisions, it is when he chooses to go in and out of contact

and what he reads in front of him. He reads the game well. I remember

Richard Hill, the great Saracens and England flanker, saw this guy a

couple of years ago and he's really come to the fore now. He's

outstanding and is only going to get better. It will be dusting to see

where his best position is, four or six? Wherever it is only going to be

pretty handy. Some controversy to talk about, unfortunately. James

Haskell said this week that he feels that slow motion replays in

instances of outlay can sometimes slightly miserable event what

happened. But we have the Tomas Francis potential eye gouging. What

do we think of this? At the very least, it is reckless. You can see

him coming in. I think he knows what he's doing. He's going in there and

he's great across. You know what? Six weeks ago, we would have had a

different view but in light of the precedent set by Chris Ashton who

got ten weeks for something that I don't think was as bad as that, I

think he will get 12 weeks minimum and maybe more. No matter how you

look at it, it does not look good. The only defence he has, when he

goes in, his eyes are closed. Maybe that is the only evidence. But they

were open just before that as he sweeps through. But I think Ashton's

ban has set the precedent now. Now we have two incidents, one

definitely involving Joe Marler and one potentially. The first is a

forearm jab comes smashed over the goal line. Is that kind of just part

of the game? It is, unfortunately. It's not great for the youngsters to

see but these two had handbags in early scrum and that is continuing

it. Joe Marler had the opportunity to get a little one up on Samson Lee

and he did. It was not huge but it was unnecessary. The way the game is

going, that is a sighting. Yes, OK kids may be part of the game, the

skulduggery of the front row but it is a sighting if they see it on TV.

-- he should be cited. Any player who has an opportunity like that

today, they will take it but it might get looked at again. One other

news story, basically we will stop talking for a moment and play you

this bit of BT and you can hear potentially perhaps some racist

words that are uttered during the course of the game at Twickenham

yesterday. Here we go. You might have heard the words,

"Gypsy boy" uttered by one player to another. The Six Nations committee

have said they are going to investigate that bit of footage and

they will act accordingly. We will wait and see what happens over the

course of the next 48 hours or so. Staying with yesterday, let's go to

the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland winning very conclusively against

Italy but perhaps more to the point, there was a moment in this match

yesterday, a throwback to the 1970s, try that absolutely magnificent. --

a try that was absolutely magnificent.

COMMENTATOR: Angus Gardner, the Australian referee, taking charge of

his first Six Nations game. Conditions near enough perfect at

the Aviva Stadium, Lansdowne Road. Of the outside of the boot by

Sexton, touched in flight as well and Italy are panicking slightly,

picked up by Jared Payne, looking for support. Ireland with their

first real threat. It goes left and it will be a try, surely for Andrew

Trimble? Can he get it down? He does. His strength is there and so

is the dry and Island opened the scoring through Andrew Trimble.

Conor Murray has a look at what is on offer. Devin Toner is there. He

tumbles to the ground. Murray thinks he sees a gap. CJ Stander has a

drive. Ireland, making good ground, Jack McGrath is there and he is

over! But it looks to be held up. We will see. Try all not, simple

question, not that it is held up, it is whether he dropped it going over

the line, Jack McGrath. Oh, that is a try. Ireland's line-out, very

quiet around this stadium. Van der Flier. Murray. Sexton, lovely pass

to Keith Earls, who has support, flings it out wide and it is Trimble

again! He checks, still going, looking for support, Keith Earls is

there. Five metres short. The try line was calling. Andrew Trimble

once again. Rory Best. Ireland is now trying to do it through the

forwards. Murray to CJ Stander. Driving and still going and

stretching and scoring, CJ Stander! Ireland's third try. A first try in

Irish colours will CJ Stander. And a hat-trick of tries now for Ireland.

-- for CJ Stander. Sexton, looping around McFadden and Simon Zebo into

the space. Lovely off-load, finding support from Jared Payne and back to

Sexton. Wonderful play by Ireland. Trumbull looking for support

infield. McFadden is there. He has support outside in Jamie Heaslip

will arrive! What a try, what a try, to bring the Aviva Stadium to its

feet and end this first half! Ireland have a fourth try and what

try it was. Four good tries for Ireland, one very good try to finish

the first half. Palazzani, finding Padovani. Interception and a drive

for Ireland! Jared Payne takes the gift and scores the try! Ireland

with a fifth, right at the start of the second half. Best again. This

time, it is to Ryan at the back and Island, pouring around the fringes

and driving up to within a few metres again. CJ Stander in there.

Playing it back for our -- laying it back for Ireland to come again.

Murray has forward that close quarters, driving through the front

row, towards the line, Murray tries to diving himself and so close.

Still there, for Ireland. McGrath at the back. One hand on it. He goes,

now. Still just short. Heaslip, in support. Heaslip, now, towards the

line, over the line and down! The try is there! Another try for

Ireland! Half a dozen, and Jamie Heaslip again gets over the line.

Keith Earls takes it quickly. Taken by Sarto but not held back on his

feet and driving on and Murray picks up and feeds and a drive for Cronin,

his seventh drive for Ireland. They are cutting loose. Smiles all round.

-- be seventh try for Ireland. It is becoming something of a rout, here.

Italy in a threatening position. WHISTLE

Great play from Campagnaro. Italy get a penalty and take it quickly.

Padovani, for the line himself. Three or four green shirts suddenly

appeared to drive him back. Long, looping pass and a chance! Italy

have a try! Something to celebrate, here. And avid idiot he gets his

first try for Italy. -- O'Dea yeti gets his first try. Cronin, ma'am

Ian, Madigan and round the corner he goes for the try! Ian Madigan gets

over. Ireland have another try. They passed 50 point and it was coming

and it comes eventually for Ian Madigan.

Italy threatening once more, Sergio Parisse is the link man. Flung out

wide and it will be a run in four Leonardo Sarto and Italy's second

try and eventually, Ireland's defence breaks down. 14 phases and

counting now as Ruddock carries it in. Almost breaks free and the crowd

begins to make a bit more noise. Oh, straight through to McFadden and he

scores! Ireland will have the final say in this match. A thumping,

really, of Italy and they move on with a 58-15 win over Italy.

Ireland were pretty good. I was expecting Phil Bennett to appear

somewhere in that Irish try somewhere. It was a throwback.

Brilliant try. Ireland went out to play. They had something to prove.

They've been disappointing this year. They were disappointed with

themselves. It's a lovely run around. Zebo adds a little bit of

class. Inside support. They all want to score. Look at them. Heaslip

finishes. A brim yn try. Perfect day. Conditions were fantastic for

rugby and they came to play. Ireland have had a lot of problems with

injuries and maybe not playing great. That was a day they went out

and played. We know their players are good. They showed that. I

thought, I have to say, that Italy were really poor. If you were Connor

O Shea who is going to take over the Italy team and you saw that are you

thinking have I made a poor decision here? You are probably - well, not

poor decision but the only way is up. They can't get any worse. They

have better players than they showed yesterday. In particular the backs,

they've got something. A few players they can build a team around but

that was poor yesterday. There is enough class in there for the likes

of Connor to work with and improve. I think they've dropped down a

little bit because not so many players are playing overseas,

they're playing in Italy. Fitness, there is a good enough skills set to

challenge even harder. OK. I can tell you I heard in the last minute

or so after what we mentioned earlier on about the statement about

somebody offering racist abuse at Twickenham yesterday that the RFU

have issued a statement in the last few moments saying that Joe Marler

apologised at half-time during the game at Twickenham yesterday and

Eddie Jones, the England coach, apparently, has reminded Joe of his

responsibilities as an England rugby player. Not sure if that means it's

the end of the matter. Subsequently it was clearly the matter was

addressed in the immediate heat of the moment yesterday at Twickenham

at half-time in the match with England and Wales. Obviously, the

potential citing incident of Thomas Francis, we will wait and hear about

that in the next 48 hours. Enough of yesterday. Let's move on to today.

What can we expect at Murrayfield this afternoon?

After 15 tries yesterday, there is a huge travelling support for the

French team as there was in Wales two weeks ago. This is a big, big

chance for Scotland because only once, only once in the history of

the Six Nations have they beaten France.

Scotland against the French. An upset might not be out of the

question today. This is scintillating stuff. They

have to score, they do score! What a magical start for Scotland. They are

ahead. The forwards have taken the game to

the French. They've driven them back ten metres. Goodness me! Oh!

Extraordinary. This is much better from the French.

Surely they must score. And they do. Oh! It gives them a glimmer.

Scottish pandemonium. The most extraordinary result. Scotland have

beaten the French at Murrayfield for the first time in a decade.

So, here are the Scottish team and the French team arriving, a decade

on from that. There's not a single player in the French squad who has

ever lost to Scotland. There is only one player in the Scottish team,

Sean, Lamont who has ever beaten France. The history books are very

much against Scotland today. But it's an intriguing game,

nonetheless. Penny for the coach's thoughts at the moment. We have

upgraded while you were watching those pictures. We have got a shot

of Jonathan and Andy and replaced them. Afternoon guys. One of of the

extraordinary mysteries of not just this championship but the last few

championships, has been where has the French rugby team gone? There

were moments in Wales two weeks ago where it looked like they never met

before. The might game. Rugby under the

stars. New France coming to Cardiff and play. Like this. Oh, yes. The

more familiar scenes of the Six Nations. Boom, boom, boot! The

skilful talk The physically dominant rule. Use the ball. Lose the ball

and there is a price. A sweet left boot and George's right. A

write-off. Right back on. Everything all right on the night. Five

consecutive wins for Wales over France. This balance between ruling

power and lost poetry. It's a head scratcher.

France and Wales two weeks ago. A bit of a mess, let's be honest,

weren't they? Yeah, it was. I have lost against Scotland a long time

ago, but when you play for France the crowd always expect that you are

going to win against Scotland but this Scottish team plays much

better. I think the confidence is not there into the French camp. OK.

We can get reaction, or thoughts from the French camp.

The history books say that France have beaten Scotland for the last

ten years. It's a new year. A new team. Are France favourites today? I

don't think so. Since two seasons they are doing a magnificent job.

Scotland is improving season after season. We know that the last World

Cup Scotland could be a fantastic semifinalist. So on new way since

the World Cup and trying to create our own history, we don't care about

statistics and history. We know Scotland will be a tough, a very

good opponent today. In the preparation for this match what has

France been working on to ensure that they get a win over Scotland

here at Murrayfield? On our two last games, the beginning of the match

was not really not fantastic for us. Against Ireland and against Wales.

Our first half were really poor, so we train to start very well the game

today. We know it's really important because Scotland is a very proud

team and the crowd is fantastic here so we have to make a good first half

if you want to have a victory here. One of the extraordinary things

about French rugby over the last five years has been the lack of

consistency in selection at halfback. You can see that today we

have the 19th pairing in 48 matches with the scrum-half and the

outside-half, numbers nine and ten. Trinh-Duc, finally, gets the nod to

start today in the number 10 jersey. Thomas, you have been a huge fan of

Trinh-Duc for many years. Yet he is in one moment, he is out the next.

How can you ever establish any authority in that position if you

never know if you are going to be picked? Yeah, it's very hard. When

you have to be a leader of the team, when you have to bring your team

forward you have to know that your coach is confident in you and that

wasn't the case. He has been picked for the World Cup for trainings, but

he hasn't been picked then for the selection. Now he is called back. He

has lots of experience. His defence is very good. I think he learned a

lot from that. When he came on against Wales France did start

playing better. Yeah, he came on and in a good situation because France

had to play and I think Scotland was a bit tired. Every time you can see

when there is a mismatch to the defence he manages to find the gaps.

His eyes are always open to go to the defence. He attacks the line

quite well. The guys playing with him they know if you don't run after

him quickly they can not reach him because he is very quick. He has

depth and time to pass or to kick. With the Scotland today that will be

the main point. If Trinh-Duc can get this from the forwards today against

Scotland with Vakatawa, if the communication is good and the

execution and decision-making in tandem, then Scotland's defence has

to be rock solid. That's a bunch of talent. We have seen Trinh-Duc's

vision. He has brought in defenders. He knows space is out there. As long

as he can draw those defenders in France is away. That's what he will

be hole be to do this afternoon. It's a shame over the last seasons

we have seem to be looking at the negatives from a French perspective.

Do you think at least one positive is that you now have a captain who

really is leading by example and somebody who might in years to come

be a real talisman for the side? Yeah, we had concern at the start of

the tournament by naming Guirado as the captain because we weren't sure

about his abilities but he has shown, game after game, that he is

the leader of that team. He made fantastic contributions to the

games. His line-outs were very good. Every time he had the ball he went

forward. He can make yards in difficult moments. OK. His

improvement - he is going as a leader and Scotland have to be aware

of him this afternoon. All right. We will talk about

Scotland in a moment. Next weekend it's the culmination of our sports

re - Our Sport Relief weekend, if we go down to the touchline Lee is down

there with a young man who can tell you what it does in a practical way.

Yeah, I am here with Kevin, a huge supporter of Sport Relief because it

has been such a huge supporter of him. Tell us about the involvement

of Sport Relief and the charity you work with. Well, I came through, I

have been there four years, I came through on an apprenticeship

programme with a Sport Relief fund. I have been there four years. You

work with them as a community project. They also helped you go to

university. You finished university in May, as well. I did - I worked my

myself up to college and uni. I am finishing in May. It's exciting

times. It is and it's exciting here today, as well. Tell us about what

you are here to do. You are going to be on the pitch, not playing for

Scotland, you are relieved. I am going to be a flag-bearer, I will

come out and hold the flag up for RBS in Scotland in front of 67,000

fans, which is brilliant. You become one of those fans and get one of the

best seats in the house. Kevin, thank you for talking to us. Enjoy

the day. Thank you very much. You can donate ?5 to Sport Relief by

texting rugby to 70005. 100% of that money goes to Sport Relief. You must

be 16 or over and ask the bill payer's permission. You can go to

the website for full conditions. To Scotland this afternoon. More

importantly, to Scotland two weeks ago. A victory, at last.

Scotland's challenge, how to make a kiwi smile in Rome. How to break a

run of nine defeats in the row in the Six Nations. This will do for

starters. And this will do for seconds. Careful, Vern! Italy doing

the sums. Working out the numbers. Staying in the chase.

Scotland with the last word. A little piece of Stuart Hogg and his

most artful, relief and joy for Scotland. Clear and obvious. Vern

smiling? Nearly there. That last long overdue victory last

time out, I am sure you are going to tell me there's been no change since

then, has there been a change in atmosphere in the camp, relief? It

would be fair to say that training on Tuesday was a happier occasion

than it has been previously. So, it didn't stop us getting down to

quickly looking at the French and what they're going to offer here.

What they can possibly offer. The focus has shifted to that, which is

a good thing because it's nice to win and perhaps we don't win as

often as we would like. We did take the positives from it and tried to

put on a game plan for today's match. You know the French rugby

well. Wesley this week said he was everything to you in terms of

getting his break. What do you expect of this French side today, do

they hold fear for Scotland? Look, it's been ten years since we have

beaten them, one day we will. Is it going to be today? The guys here, in

a good manner, we need to put in a sustained effort for 80 minutes. And

try and improve on things that we did last week. It wasn't perfect,

so, it's been a real challenge within the group to get better, get

your feet back on the ground and try and rise to the challenge. I think

we have a few arguments we can put out there on the paddock and

hopefully they can have them chasing us around.

Here is a fact. Since the Finley Brothers played for Scotland in

1875, 46 sets of brothers have played international rugby for

Scotland, only 21 in the same match. The Grays, there is Richie are the

brothers in arms today. Who is the most organised? Who is the best

dancer? Yeah, you too. How would you describe your brother's game?

Probably speed. Speed and strength. Physical. If you need somebody to

pick up a ball and go forward, he is your man to do it. Just a great

all-rounder who works hard. Who takes the longest to get ready?

Yeah, hair and stuff. To get that Six Nations win last time out how

special was that? Seymour seals the deal! Yeah, everyone was very proud

of it. Every year, every game is getting harder and teams are getting

better. We were up against a tough physical pack and some runners

there. So, we looked at it and what improvements to be made. To finally

get the win against a tough opposition in Rome was great. A

sense of relief, enjoyment and it was great. But we need to continue

to work hard and hopefully get one this weekend, as well. Who is the

best cook? Without a doubt. Yeah, true. Do Scotland have what it takes

to beat France on Sunday? Yeah, I think we do. We know how hard it's

going to be. We looked at France and we are going to be under stress at

the weekend. They're a big physical side. Big heavy guys with some very

decent backs, as well. It will be a very tough challenge at the weekend.

Who will finish up their Scotland career with the most caps?

Johnny has time on his side, he is five years younger than his brother.

It seems from that short piece there, are they different

personalities? Absolutely. Completely different. Richie is more

extroverted. In terms of leadership Johnny leads the Glasgow Warriors,

he leads by example. His work rate is phenomenal. He almost breaks

records for the number of records he holds. And his carries and tackles,

it's a phenomenal player. He has helped Richie, he has seen his

little brother coming along and that rivalry has pushed him along. He has

made 100 consecutive tackles at the moment, Johnny, which for a second

row is extraordinary. Talk about their role in the restarts. The

restart is such a fundamental area of the game these days in terms of

either winning possession back or retaining it. Where do they fit in

that? This is one of the biggest from Italy. You see after the

restarts, the first thing they do is recognise the chaser. All three

times here it's Parisse. The kick-offs are flat. They're low. It

doesn't give the defending team to get a lifting pod underneath the

ball to lift. That's where you have to get off the ground really

quickly. For me this afternoon the midfield, Lauret may chase.

Identifying who is likely and getting a body in front is important

for Scotland. We have spent time here talking about Scottish

forwards, perhaps less time talking about Scottish backs. Tommy Seymour

seems like the real deal as far as playing on the wing is concerned. He

plays well really well. The back three play well together. He has

lots of speed and lots of steps. Every time he gets the ball he is a

danger, a threat. That will be a concern for the French kicking game.

If we kick back and these players can make the difference. You can see

there, he is very opportunistic. Every time he can get the ball, he

can get involved, he does. Tommy Seymour scored seven tries in the

last eight appearances, including the World Cup. I think he scored 13

out of 25 caps. This is partly Tommy Seymour's brilliance and also Stuart

Hogg and the length in that back three and how Vern Cotter wants

Scotland to play. We can see the strike rate and how

high up he is in the pecking order of all-time Scottish try scorers.

One of the key elements about playing on the ring is you have to

have players inside who can give you the ball at the right time. What do

you make of the centre partnership? They've been flush with the quality

they've had the last few seasons. They've had injuries which means

that the combinations haven't had a time to bed in. When you have

players like Duncan Taylor playing at Saracens and the quality they're

playing, they're sizeable guys, as well, they can put a good dent into

this French defence. The interesting thing this weekend is Taylor has

moved from 12 to 13. Dunbar into the side, he has been out over a year

with his knee. He is so explosive. If we go back to the forwards, how

important is Josh Strauss in providing the ball for players like

Dunbar to play with? What Scotland need this afternoon more than

they've needed in previous games is bulk. Josh Strauss brings that.

He is a tremendous ball carrier. I assume we will see Ryan Wilson come

on later in the game. You need to face up to the French pack and this

man will give you that. We say often enough sometimes to no avail

whatsoever, it's a glorious spring afternoon, mid-March in Scotland.

It's mild, it's a great day to watch rugby and a great day to play rugby.

Seymour seals the deal! Vakatawa, try. Surely a try for Scotland.

Taylor will score for Scotland! They finish with a flourish.

There are the teams in the tunnel waiting for the call to go out on to

what looks an absolutely magnificent setting. The pitch these days at

Murrayfield is fantastic. When we look at the French team there's lots

of changes in the back division again. Finally, do you think, there

might be a balance there that can play what we would describe as

French rugby? I am scared of that. If we play - playing against

Scotland, it might, you know, expose you to turnovers and to rucks where

Scotland are very good. If we lose the ball and give the ball to

Scotland, you know, in open play we might struggle. We need to push them

with the forwards. Be very active with the forwards and then maybe the

second half play rugby. Greig Laidlaw, coming out with a 25th cap

as captain. Chris, your thoughts? The changes France have made make

them more dangerous. They need good possession. They're a good team of

individuals, I have not seen them play as a unit. Scotland play well

as a unit. I am looking forward to a cracker. The French team. I like

that accuracy. This could be Scotland's day. I am hoping it is,

they scored a lot of good tries against Italy. Hopefully they can

score more today. As the team lines up and before the anthems and

commentary led by Andrew Cotter we will have time for reflection now

and we are going to have a moment's silence as the French around us

start singing, but we will have a moment's silence which is of

particular poignancy and sadness for everybody, Scottish and French, who

is here today. Ladies and gentlemen, boys and

girls, 20 years ago to this very day, our nation grieved after the

unimaginable tragedy at Dunblane Primary School. We shared in the

agony of France after the terrorist atrocities in Paris four months ago.

Today, please be upstanding if you can as we remember all victims and

their family and friends with a moment's silence. Thank you.

APPLAUSE AND CHEERING Thank you very much

everybody. Please remain standing as we observe the anthems for both

countries. First of all, for France. # Allons enfants de la Patrie

Le jour de gloire est arrive # Contre nous de la tyrannie,

# Entendez-vous dans les campagnes Mugir ces feroces soldats

# Aux armes, citoyens Formez vos bataillons

# Qu'un sang impur Abreuve nos sillons

# Conduis, soutiens nos bras vengeurs Liberte, Liberte cherie

# Combats avec tes defenseurs Combats avec tes defenseurs

# Sous nos drapeaux que la victoire Accoure a tes males accents

# Que tes ennemis expirants Voient ton triomphe et notre gloire

# Ils viennent jusque dans vos bras Egorger vos fils et vos compagnes. #

Thank you very much. Now Flower of Scotland.

APPLAUSE AND CHEERING

How keenly Scotland want to bring the feeling of victory back to hair

home. Vern Cotter's side remains fairly stable in terms of selection.

In the forwards there is one change, Josh Strauss comes in at number 8.

Dickinson, and the Gray bother brothers will be at the heart of

what they home is an improved lineout. The significant switch

comes in the back line with Dunbar returning from a run of injury to

replace Bennett midfield. What a threat Seymour is with 13 tries in

25 caps. As for France, they have a deep pool of talent and found a

strong side. Maestri is back. The captain has had a dull campaign.

Look out for Camara. The real changes come in the back line. As

expected, Trinh-Duc returns. Fickou is back. Spedding again at full

back. As for the bench, there will surely be a first cap for Edinburgh

prop Rory Sutherland. For France, some enormous might from the south

seas in Pelo and Vahaamahina. A wonderful noise inside Murrayfield.

The referee is Glen Jackson, a decent player himself, spent a lot

of time at Saracens, the man from New Zealand. The swell of noise

grows. France still have very, very slim hopes of winning the title but

the points difference is entirely unrealistic. France in recent times

have simply dominated this fixture. Scotland are hungry for far more

than one win over Italy. The countdown is over and we are

ready for the last game of the penultimate weekend of the RBS Six

Nations. Russell gets Scotland, in their change strip, underway. A

misjudgement of the lifter, but France have it. An immediate chance

for the heavy men, Rabah Slimani, the tight head, to carry. You can

hear the number of French bands that are here. They love this match.

Trinh-Duc. Straight to Russell. Seymour. Already making some good

ground. WP Nel, onto Jonny Gray. And there is Strauss.

Jonny Gray again. Scotland with plenty of ball. Richie Gray makes

the link and then takes a thump. Stuart Hogg stand strong and Laidlaw

gives it to Dunbar. Just slowing down for a moment. Great comes into

play scrum-half and then carried forward by Nel. Just grinding to a

halt for the moment. Scotland try again. Strauss nearly through.

Barclay. Told to release the tackler. Wenceslas Lauret. Still

with Scotland, wider it goes, a little chip chase and into touch.

Scotland will have the territory, all the ball to play with in the

opening exchanges, Scotland. Are very confident start by Scotland,

I've been impressed by the manner in which they have varied where they

take the ball into contact. Sometimes they are moving to man

out. You have forward to being dextrous. Jonny Gray involved twice,

there. Seamlessly handling it. That was an important skill, good play

which they need to continue, move this big French defence around.

Pressure on the captain, Guirado. Won safely, Chuli going up. France

have the penalty. -- Damien Chouly. That is a dumb penalty. And because

all France were going to do was clear their lines and then Scotland

would still have a line-out in the French 22, most likely. Very

disappointing, taking him in the air. You want to be competing as

soon as they touch the ground but the key point is they have to touch

the ground before you can tackle them. The big right boot of Scott

Spedding, the South African born French international, a full French

citizen now. The other thing is, you have to be more subtle than that if

you are going to do that. France with a line-out, more at ease,

further up the pitch. Arad oh again, this time, safely to Flanquart. --

Guilhem Guirado. Trinh-Duc. Good running but then Trinh-Duc has to

tidy up. A battering ram from Maestri, good support from his

fellow flanker, Flanquart. Machenaud. Spedding is in the

fly-half position and Gael Fickou, nearly through himself. Barclay

eventually gets to him and France are menacing now. Fickou, just about

laying it back. Finn Russell is in a bit of trouble, as you can see.

Machenaud, as France, on. -- as France come on. Scotland with 14

men. Russell in bother. Jefferson Poirot, the loosehead carries for

France and Machenaud gets the backline going again. Out wide it

goes to Guilhem Guirado, and then to Vakatawa, who has support inside and

Fofana is there and then onto Guilhem Guirado, for the try! What a

try for France, and the scores, Guilhem Guirado. Having labelled the

French dull, boring and predictable, I think I might have to retract

that, certainly in respect of this period of play. The ball had been

swung from left to right, off-loading very confidently. If you

want to be picky, when a player is on the floor and he has released the

ball, he's not allowed to roll it back and keep touching it. But the

technicality, and in the wider scheme of things, that was a very

good try. -- it is a technicality. Celebrations for France and great

news for them and as we watched the replay, Finn Russell is coming off.

His game is over and I think Peter Horne will be coming on so a double

blow for Scotland. Very much so. Finn Russell took a bad knock, and

I'm watching him in front of me, going down the tunnel, he does not

look happy. They will assess him, do a head injury assessment and then

work out whether he can return to the build-up play. Peter Horne is in

his place, normally a centre as we know so that is a big blow to

Scotland at the moment. They have ten minutes for the HIA as Francois

Trinh-Duc repairs to try to add the two points. -- prepares to try.

That was not a conversion befitting the try. But a very good opening for

France, after a bright opening couple of minutes. Good. There's

Peter Horne. You can see, the head and the foot, it was actually John

Barclay's left leg which caught Finn Russell after the tackle. That is

what caused the injury and they will be assessing that right now below

us. They have nine more minutes to see if he can come back on. A long

restart, Horne as you said, place in the centre but he can certainly play

fly half. That try for France, I liked the early stages with

off-loading. We have not seen much of that in the early games of the

Six Nations. They have been quite one-dimensional but there are, they

got in behind, what we would go classically French. That has been

the difference, because in previous games they've been try to off-load

going backwards when they are static, which does not work. When

you go onto the ball at pace and you off-load, it's devastating. The

line-out works well. And may have the ball just inside the French

half. Horne, getting it wide to Stuart Hogg.

France, trying to hold up Ross Ford. He gets it to ground. WHISTLE

But France have the penalty, holding onto the ball. It was quite

muscular, wasn't it? Right on top of Ross Ford, who fought to get to the

ground but I think it was Rabah Slimani who got in on him and really

forced the turnover. It has been a muscular start, what we were

exciting. We all knew that France were going to play really direct

physical upfront but they have brought that of flair which we have

not seen, really which makes them a very potent combination. Spedding

kicks for touch again. Well, Scotland were looking to keep France

quiet in the opening few minutes and they certainly have not. Guy Noves

watches from the shadows. Listen to the sound again at Murrayfield!

Guirado, the try scorer, Captain and hooker, finding his mark again.

Flanquart, a bit loose and a huge bump coming in from John Hardie. --

huge thump. Still with France, poked through by Fickou, deep into the 22

again. Scotland being kept on the back foot. That is a very

intelligent kick forward and well executed. Keeps the pressure right

on Scotland. John Hardie was Doctor snaffled up, fantastic. That is

high. -- just snaffled. Quickly taken. That did not look too good on

the replay but nothing seen by the referee who was happy for play to

continue. Scotland under all sorts of pressure now, deep inside their

own line. But the clearing kick works well, almost clipping Vakatawa

as it went past from Stuart Hogg. He will be looking to make amends

because it was a one-on-one tackle against Berardo for the try and he

missed it, slapped the ground in frustration. That's an example of

how they have had to readjust their structures because I reckon if Finn

Russell had been on the pitch, he would have been clearing their lines

but now beta one is in at number ten, Stuart Hogg is doing the

clearing. -- Peter Horne is in. Wiranto again. -- Guirado again.

Flanquart was there and then a loose pass and Gael Fickou has do stretch

to take it. Then he makes good ground. Advantage and nothing coming

from the advantage. Offside, Scotland. France have the penalty in

a very kickable position. That is the kind of penalty that coaches go

absolutely berserk about. It has not really cost... It does not really do

anything to the plate, it is a technical offence but it is one

which the back snow and they ought not to transgress. -- to the play.

The referee holds its hand up and they can't go before he puts it

down. The touch judge gives the lines of you know exactly where you

are, it is a silly penalty and frustrating. Trinh-Duc again, a

great running fly half, not particularly known for his kicking,

but a chance to give France an 8-point lead, here. Ideal kidney

conditions -- kicking conditions, scarcely a breath of wind.

That is another one he has just hooked. Struggling a bit, two kicks

missed and the leader remains five points. Well, who knows how costly

that might be? You don't know. That is not international class kicking!

You can't have that. The try was fairly tough but that was a slam

dunk, Street in front of the posts. A long restart and a pretty one but

losing low towards Trinh-Duc and he is ambling around with Fofana, who

eventually takes it himself. Horne takes it and takes the hit. The

penalty this time goes to Scotland. It was a good take by Horne and

Scotland get the decision. It seems the virus is catching. Again,

swimming around the side, crawling around the side, right in front of

the referee. I like the idea that dullness is a virus. There should be

a Latin name for it! That is a good take and he knew he was going to be

under pressure. Scotland have to reboot and reset, here, having

conceded five points, Ben Wright up against it in the opening 12

minutes, they are fortunate to only be five points behind and will look

to start again. Ford, and under pressure again, the Scottish

line-out has not been functioning in this championship, and Fofana with a

wonderful run, tries to off-load but secured by Scotland, for a chance to

counter. Barkley gives it to Dickinson.

Jonny Gray. Strauss on his shoulder. Just slowing again for a moment. A

bit of a standstill, confusion, Tim Visser carries. John Barclay,

upended. Scotland looking for a bit more zip.

Richie Gray on the charge and Duncan Taylor was looking for the path on

the shoulder. Good strength from Tim Visser and

various WP Nel. A little rolling ball of muscle, Nel. -- there is.

Scotland making good ground and now Hardie is there. A change of mind

from Laidlaw and there was Ross Ford.

And again, down the crowded blindside, Stuart Hogg trying to

skip through the traffic. France with hands on and Vakatawa looks to

turn it around but still with Scotland. Nel again. And now

Scotland finding a few spaces and Stuart Hogg almost three but

eventually, Maestri got to him. Creeping towards the 22. Barclay.

Advantage Scotland, penalty coming. In the 13th, 14th phase, they will

try something. Horne, a little chip through and hoping for the bounce.

They will have the penalty as Spedding clears it over this town

and beyond. It's only going to be a penalty but I must say, this game

has been entertaining right from the word go. The sides are playing with

ambition and no little precision. The number of phases that Scotland

are going through, they just need, on one of those breaks or half

breaks, to get someone on the shoulder. A lots of really powerful

carries by John Barclay, Strauss, Nel, who always gets over the gain

line and Jonny Gray, obviously but what impressed me, Peter Horne mixed

it up, but the ball through his hands for many faces but then went

himself and got half through. That is what the stand-off has to do.

They will have practised all week with Finn Russell at number ten but

beta-1 will have come in. Finn Russell is not coming back. He's in

his tracksuit. That's it. Peter Horne is going to be calling this

came from stand-off all the way through now and he's made an

encouraging start. So, to Laidlaw. CHEERING

He does not make the mistakes that Randiv has made so far. Scotland

have three points. 15 minutes gone. -- mistakes that Trinh-Duc has made.

Since the opening minute and a half, Scotland with their first child and

they take three points. They will take that, after the pressure, we

could have been eight or ten down if the kicks had gone over. They are

trying to wait for the first pass which is getting them through some

of the strong defenders, good play. Trinh-Duc... Play on, said the

referee even though all the French players on the far side were leagues

offside. But they kind of checked their runs so the referee was happy.

Barclay takes it in. The penalty this time goes to Scotland. I'm

going to say what I said about Scotland, although were going to do

there is clear their lines and France would have the line-out. They

gave away a silly penalty, not rolling away and in Scotland easily

cleared their lines with Stuart Hogg again, who has taken the

responsibility of the kicking, he has got a fantastic boot on him and

now Scotland have an attacking line-out on the ten yard line. We

saw Finn Russell smiling in the stand which is good to see. But he

will be hugely frustrated not to be on the pitch in this match. He would

revel in this kind of game but Peter Horne has made a bright start, and

this ball is taken by Richie Gray down to Laidlaw and then see more

coming in. -- Tommy Seymour. Barclay gives it to his back row colleague,

in fact, it was Duncan Taylor and now Jonny Gray lays it back.

Out to Nel. Such a low centre of gravity. A good bit of weight as

well. Scotland again, this time, poked through by Taylor but it goes

into touch. Scotland are warming to their task. If you are going to use

that ploy, and it has kept the pressure on France, the forwards now

need to do their job and contest this ball. I think it was the right

decision, but I would like to see France take it out my blood is the

France do that. Duncan Taylor has been really good since he came into

the game in Cardiff. He's really impressed me. He's almost taken on

the mantle of the number one is a double stop Matt Scott is injured

and Mark Bennett is not quite back to his best after the injury he had

after the World Cup. Alex Dunbar has just come back from injury. Scotland

do have an abundance of ridges that centre but Duncan Taylor has taken

himself right to the top of the list. -- abundance of riches. This

was the try earlier. The off-loading that we are talking about, the end,

Vakatawa inside and then be finish by Guilhem Guirado. He has been

France's best player so far in the Six Nations. Without a doubt, by

quite a long way as well. Talking about the off-loading of France, Guy

Noves played with Toulouse and -- coach Toulouse and now France and

the courage is constant off-loading which sometimes seems rather aimless

and leads to nothing but they are off-loading far more than any other

side. In this match already, a long way ahead of Scotland in that

respect. Good take by France, Yoann Maestri taking it down safely.

Wenceslas Lauret. A fumble from Flanquart so Scotland have the ball

and they will have the scrum in a very good position.

Hardie on Flanquart, there. What is French for handbags, Brian?

Something sac, probably! I know how to swear in French but I probably

won't. It was pure frustration, he looked up to see he was about to get

smashed and he dropped the ball, and any saw that Hardie was coming in,

comes in and has a dig at Jonny Gray, cheap shot, the whistle had

gone and John Hardie goes to tell him off and then it is a bit of

handbags. The first scrum of the game. This will be important. This

is where the French are powerful. Let's see, you can see how they are

lining up from above. Can they keep square? WHISTLE

A bird's eye view of crumbling. Scotland have the heavy bag. Let's

hear what Glenn Jackson says about this. -- heavier pack. REFEREE:

Number six, please. Just taking a moment. Nel against Jefferson

Poirot, what a great name! This is a great attacking opportunity. And may

have lined up with four of the backs on the nearside closes to us, and

Stuart Hogg as more than half the width and Tommy Seymour can see --

you can see Stuart Hogg, with a lot of space to attack the coup on the

right-hand side. Down it goes again and Glen Jackson says penalty, it is

a gift of three points but Scotland had that great attacking position.

Everybody runs in now and says well done. They are definitely going to

get a shot at three points. It does not matter how many men line up left

or right, they are not going to get quick ball because Ross Ford does

not look. They walk the ball over, that is what they do and you can't

get it away quickly. -- Ross Ford does not Hyypia. -- hook. We

suspected they would not be so dominant today but the signs are

quite positive from Scotland's point of view in the scrum. But difficult

for Glenn Jackson to interpret what is going on in that fierce contest

as well. So, Laidlaw, 21 minutes gone, to give Scotland the lead.

They were rather shocked at Murrayfield when Guilhem Guirado

went over for the first try and a couple of missed French kicks as

Robert Scotland are in front. In this kind of game, when they have

not beaten France that such a long time, it is important they just

nudge in front because the crowd then picks up and everything they

do, the crowd will chair, every mistake that France may, the crowd

will lift and Scotland will go again. Trinh-Duc, sending it high

towards Strauss, who takes it in and then takes on two or three French

defenders. Looking to carry through the forwards again, a couple more

phases, Jonny Gray sets it back before it goes double, just gets the

kick away ahead of Camara, and Trinh-Duc gives it to Spedding, who

is a huge man, bounces it into Nel and that was some collision.

Machenaud feeds Trinh-Duc and a little juggle and then a fumble and

then a spill from Maxime Mermoz. A couple of mistakes from France. But

what a collision that was, Spedding is a huge full-back and it was on

his fellow original South African, double. That sums up modern-day

rugby that a full-back has bounced a tight head prop. Spedding is

massive. This is Maxime Mermoz taking his eye off the ball, simple

mistake, he almost gets it and clears it up but then loses it. Look

at Spedding, Nel in a good position but that is the size of a full-back

these days. That is the difference between real-time and slow motion

replays because at full speed, it looked as though that was a no arm

tackle but when you see it in slow motion, which sometimes you need,

you could see he was trying to wrap his arms around him but he just

bounced off him. France with a free kick of the scrum. This scrum does

not work well for Scotland, their ball turns into French ball and

quickly taken by Machenaud. He has got Trinh-Duc who delays the past

beautifully, and Wesley Fofana spin Sinfield! France, pouring on now.

Great pace in the attack. And then a little bit of confusion between

Maestri and Flanquart coir and another knock-on. -- Flanquart, and

another. The two second row is getting in each other's way. That is

the obsession with off-loading for the sake of it. In close contact, in

any doubt, when you are in that position in the 22, just told onto

the ball, especially when you are going forward. REFEREE: Captains,

come here. If someone does that again, the third person will be

penalised. Go and tell them, these, if they keep on running in, I'm

going to have to penalised them. He's saying if there's any offers,

the third person will get penalised to risk what has happened before. So

you want to be the fourth or the fifth guy running in. Or the second!

France I try the floats, six or seven but handling errors, they are

not going to add and there's no point off-loading if it's not going

to hand and you're not going to get in behind. A big sign from the

French and inside Murrayfield. -- a big sound from the French fans

inside Murrayfield. The Scotland fans have the ball but it's --

Scotland have the ball but it's no good if you don't win your own ball.

Nel against Poirot and Guirado going forward and Slimani and Dickinson on

the near side. Down it goes. The decision from

Glenn Jackson. On that occasion, I thought it was a Scottish loosehead

who took that down. The French tight head, you will see,

is not doing what most tight head do, he keeps a long wind, looking to

go under the armpit, which he did not before, onto the arm, which is

much more -- a much more technically advantageous position. Let's look at

it from there, Slimani against Dickinson on the near side.

Scotland's ball but not far from their own line. Down it goes again

and the referee says "Use it". Stuart Hogg. He really does have a

huge boot on him. Great exit. Absolutely, great exit but it came

from such a solid platform. When you have got a scrum mike that, a good

pass from Greig Laidlaw and France did not exert any pressure on Stuart

Hogg, who was able to take his time. He's got the range, but it almost up

to the halfway line which is exactly what you are looking for when you

are doing your exit strategies. French ball at the line-out.

Scotland have not had much joy on their own line-out but when you have

the grey brothers in there, you can always threaten opposition as well.

-- the Gray brothers. They do disrupt the bounce of the ball but

it was a penalty, John Hardie offside. France with a penalty,

taken quickly by Machenaud. Through a forest of white shirts, into the

22, lays it back and Vakatawa comes there now. And France on the front

foot again. Camara. A rather ugly pass to Trinh-Duc, into Hardie,

trying to hold him up. But Trinh-Duc gets to ground. A scrum to Scotland.

You know what I love? Scrum-half that try to get pace into the game

and Machenaud has done that twice with a free kick and then a full

penalty. You saw how quickly they got in behind the Scottish defence.

It was not organised. That was great to see, the scrum-half trying to

inject pace in tempo into their play. And the word has got to go out

now, that is the second time Scotland have been caught on the

back foot, not anticipating what is likely to happen. That is energy

sapping defence from Jonny Gray and John Hardie, to keep them up but

what it does... Here is Machenaud, in amongst it, a lot of traffic but

he saw there was a gap. Everyone has their Baghdad. They could not touch

because they were not back ten, great play by Machenaud but it did

not come to anything. So, once more to the scrum. Scotland

with a slender lead but you feel as though they have been really up

against it. I don't know about you but I would be in favour, until the

ball comes in, not starting the clock again because this sequence,

that is a relatively short one but it can take a long time. That is not

steady. Too much movement both ways. I agree, we waste far too much time

resetting the scrum. The ball is not in play and no one is excited about

it. Funnily enough, it does not matter what you do before the

engagement. You could do a dance if you wanted to go in and then go

down, if the referees just made it an absolute certainty that you don't

push before the ball is introduced and that the binding is right and

the hook is there and the feed is straight, they would cut out as many

problems as is possible under the laws.

Penalty to Scotland this time. The magic roundabout. A better shove

there from Scotland. It was. There is no doubt Dickinson forward and

Nel. They're a good front row. We saw that in Rome. Scotland have to

develop the back-up now. Sutherland and Murray Low on the bench. You

need that squad, it can't just be the first set that go on. You do.

They would have to have more aerobic type fitness and you get rewards in

the last 20 minutes of hard work in the first 60 when players tire and

then you get gaps. Ford goes long. This one taken

safely by Barclay. Hardie has it. Seymour, nothing doing there. Judge

touch's flag goes up, Wayne Barnes on that side. Hello, Vakatawa is

off. A technicality at the line-out time. Glen Jackson has a technical

point. It's a free kick from the line-out. They've chosen to take the

scrum. Asking for an explanation, he doesn't seem pleased with it. Some

good scrums in this game already. Half an hour gone and a single point

is Scotland's lead. Down it goes. Everyone wants to get

the game going. Laidlaw fires it out. On to Dunbar.

To ground it goes. Taylor is there. Scotland threatening the French 22

for the first time in a while. France reset the defence. Hardie

gives it to Dickinson. Scotland enjoying a bit of

possession. On it goes to Taylor. Hands off one

man! Machenaud comes in and barges him down. Laidlaw thinks about the

blindside and switches. The Gray brothers in tandem. Down the blind

side they go. Hogg delays the pass. On to Taylor. Hangs on with Dunbar

on his shoulder. The noise grows and Scotland creep

forward and Horne is through! He has support. It's Richie Gray five meet

frers the line. Scotland lining up outside. Taylor. They're still

crying for it out wide. Hogg trying to skip through. Try for Scotland!

What a try, as well. Stuart Hogg scores.

The whole team and Murrayfield celebrates. And no more than that

particular passage of play deserved. High tempo. Quick ball. Accurate. He

stepped inside I thought they missed the opportunity but a good line.

Stuart Hogg finishes it off. Take a bow Peter Horne. Absolutely pulled

the strings there. Look at that. Has a go himself. Offloads to Richie

Gray. It was only going to end up in a try. You can see Stuart Hogg

brings it in here off the step. There he goes. Great finish. Peter

Horne controlled those number of phases brilliantly for a guy that

has just come in from standoff. That's exactly what I was going to

say. Finn Russell, a lot of people here were looking when he went off

the field fearing the worst but it's been almost seamless. So Laidlaw.

He has not brought it around enough. That's a rare miss for Laidlaw. Not

a difficult kick but Scotland are six points to the good. Stuart Hogg

has been Scotland's outstanding player in this Six Nations, maybe of

the tournament. He set up two tries in Rome two weeks ago and here he is

finishing one off. Fantastic finish. The restart is taken by Taylor. He

is hit in the area. Scotland have a penalty. Camara just mistimed it

slightly. Yeah, that one is where you can forgive him. The crowd will

always make it sound worse than it was because of their reaction. He

Here comes Spedding again for France.

Hogg fields. Offloads to Jonny Gray.

Five minutes to go in this first half.

Dickinson carries. Laidlaw shapes to clear himself.

Trinh-Duc waiting for this one. Trinh-Duc offloads and does well.

France again and Trinh-Duc gives it deeper to his captain. Infield to

support. The whistle goes. The penalty to Scotland. Taken quickly

by Duncan Taylor, he is away. He has support. Duncan Taylor is still

going! Duncan Taylor reaching for the line! Taylor will score! What a

try, what a try from Duncan Taylor! A huge reward for quick thinking.

And your own ability. He was labouring to the line at the end,

Duncan Taylor. He was reaching and straining. He had company, as well.

Almost offering him protection to the line, Duncan Taylor. But he saw

that opportunity. I said earlier how much I like the scrum-halves

injething pace into the game. Duncan Taylor, brilliant against Wales.

This is even better. What a try, what a finish. Murrayfield is

absolutely rocking. What a game so far. What a game!

Duncan Taylor had a late try against Wales. Hello! Going to check

something. Nine white holding six blue. The

breakaway occurs. Oh, dear! Right, potentially Laidlaw was... Looking

at the actions on six in the breakaway. No, Wencelas Lauret.

Usually doesn't end well for the scoring. He will know. No chance.

Would he have caught him? You can't tell, can you? He didn't break

stride. He touched the shirt and no more. The thing is that's clear.

It's interesting again in slow motion because in slow motion he is

obviously hanging on to the shirt for longer. Try. Time on. That's

interesting Glen Jackson has taken the decision quickly.

I tell you the difference here, I think, the reason that Glen Jackson

has made that decision is he is a former player. It comes from a

player's point of view. He has taken the line that you have taken, that

it didn't make any difference. Rather than a law-maker's one.

Greig Laidlaw from that far touch, what a kick that is perhaps to make

up for the last missed conversion. Scotland are 13 points in front

before the break. I said earlier on how costly might those misses be.

They've a decent lead going in, it will be still much better for France

had those kicks gone over. Well fielded, as well. An important

restart. Scotland still flinging it around. It goes to Laidlaw

eventually. Into Spedding. Trinh-Duc. France

looking to strike back before the break.

They continue to offload as if their lives depend on it.

Chouly again. Carried by Maestri. The mainstay of

the French pack. There is a rare sound at Murrayfield, Scottish fans

singing along. Penalty to France.

That's such a shame. That was collectively brilliant defence by

Scotland. Peter Horne, and Tim Visser followed him. France were

under severe pressure. Unfortunately, John Barclay has been

penalised for not rolling away. Spedding's kick will give France

this line-out just inside the Scottish 22. A final minute of the

first half to come. Peter Horne comes in and puts

pressure on Spedding. Tim Visser puts it on Fickou, as well. They

followed each other. Good defence by Scotland.

Final minute of the first half. Guirado looks for a target and finds

it. France trying to get this maul

going. This is a tactic they know can work against Scotland in driving

their way on. Guirado has it at the back, the

captain. Just breaks away.

Camara then. Lauret has it. Camara looking for it again. France are on

the March. Machenaud takes it away now.

Carried in by Mermoz. France looking for a score before the break. The

clock is go to go red. Camara feeds on.

Scotland now defending desperately as the ball bounces around for a

moment. But still with the men in blue, Machenaud has a look.

Carried on by Yacouba Camara again. Wide Gaza Machenaud. -- wide again

by Machenaud. Taylor. Picked up by... Still with France.

The final act of this first half. Lauret looks to pick and go from the

base. Up to within six metres of the Scottish line.

Wider now for France. Trinh-Duc almost through but held by John

Barclay. Still the opportunity for France.

Guirado trying to slip through himself. Machenaud moves out again.

Maestri carries. Machenaud once more. Wide it goes. Fickou for the

score, try France! France hit back with a final say in this first half.

That ultimately came from Scotland transgressing when the breakdown was

in the French half. That's the result. They could have gone in at

half-time before that. You have to say it's a tremendous try by France.

It's been a tremendous half of rugby. Lots to see. Lots of really

good from both sides. Scotland ran out of numbers. So much pressure,

you are conceding and absorbing in your own 22. Players like Fickou and

Mermoz. They're going to get in behind. Scotland will be

disappointed they've not closed out the half but will still be pleased

with what's happened in the first 40 minutes. It's been a cracking game

of rugby. 14 of the French team go in to a huddle.

One on the far side there, Trinh-Duc prepares to kick. Machenaud has

taken over kicking duties, in fact. Final touch of the first half for

Maxime Machenaud. It's a beautiful kick. He brings

France within six points at half-time in a half of rugby.

Scotland lead France half-time 18-12.

STUDIO: Perhaps the highlight of that first 40 minutes Duncan

Taylor's burst down the touchline to give Scotland the lead at that point

after Laidlaw's conversion. It's 18-12 at half-time. There is a

wonderful vista across the city. The 1812 Overture looks even in terms of

statistics made. Possession, 59% to Scotland.

41 terse to France. Tom -- 41% to France. Thomas, you

were smiling so broadly at the start when France scored within four

minutes. You thought this could be the moment when France ignites and

then the flame went out very quickly. Yeah, we played really well

the first ten minutes. We missed some opportunities. I don't

understand why Machenaud didn't kick from the start. He is a kicker, we

put him under massive pressure coming into that game. He did really

well. The animation of the back line is quite well organised. I think

that kicking pressure, that's why Machenaud kicked. Chris, from that

point Scotland got back into the game and played pretty well.

Absolutely. What a game to start with from both sides. The French

first try was sublime. It was back to what we love about French rugby.

Scotland after that slowly got themselves back into the game and

then took the rest of the half with a bang, the way they scored those

two tries. I have loved both sides' endeavour to make space and score

tries. We have seen good carrying but the defences on both sides have

been very hard and are blocking like that ambition from either side. The

few opportunities both teams have had they've taken advantage of. The

French back line, you know, in defence we are slow, we should rush

more like Scotland is doing. We let Scotland come at us a and every time

they get the ball they're dangerous. Lovely first try. Yeah, you can see

the platform is good. The drives are quite good in line-out and you can

see the back line is much more organised. You can see we make some

breaks, even if we drop that ball, but every time someone to pick it

back. Instead of, you know, being too negative we try to build and we

try to offload most of the time, even if we have errors in the first

half. When it's in positive it's been quite good. You can see there

the organisation is not too bad. The pressure comes from the Scottish,

from the back line. Here the rush defence didn't work. You can see

Vakatawa, could have thought that he was going to score. But instead of

that started really well and you can see Fofana. What we saw here was the

Scottish defence really slow to get back. Strauss is wading in thick mud

there. He gets back to tackle but he stopped earlier, if he had carried

on he may have prevented that try. The first French hooker to score two

tries in a championship for those of you who like that information. Every

time we watch Italy and we talk about Parisse, everybody says what

an unbelievable player he could be. You could almost say the same about

Stuart Hogg, if he was in the All Black team shall we say what an

extraordinary player he is. He is so incredible with the ball in hands,

his defence is improving. He has taken over kicking duties. There is

a lot of pressure on him. He is the most attacking player in Scotland.

All that pressure for these fans inside, they expect it. The play he

has played this afternoon and scored in the opening half. The second try,

as well, Duncan Taylor's try, he won the penalty for Taylor to score.

Scotland have been probing that French defensive line and have been

looking for a dog-leg. It's been hard to spot because the French have

been really good, coming up as a line, not creating that dog-leg. But

Horne and Russell and the team are looking for the opportunities. Where

is it going to come? Can they spot it? Eventually one of the French

defenders comes out of the line and Horne is there in a flash. This is

earlier on in that half where they're probing, they're looking and

getting there. Eventually they do. Hogg's try, look Scotland have been

looking for the same holes again. Waiting for that opportunity.

Because Horne has seen it once he spotted it again. A defender comes

out. There is the dog-leg. Horne is through. The Scottish support is

there. That's a good example of what Thomas was saying about the French

defence. Scotland are working really hard to get around the corner but

the French defence are allowing Scotland to attack them. His

strength and power to finish off a patient attack with Scotland. Is

this the loudest PA system probably in the world, do we think! Great

finish by Stuart Hogg to put Scotland in the lead. Then, of

course, Taylor's try that came from nothing. I think Andrew Cotter

mentioned in commentary a couple of times how great it is to see

somebody tap and go. Machenaud done had. Here is Scotland putting people

on the back foot and making space from nothing. Yeah, the French had

two or three kicks. Taylor thought I want a piece of that, as well. The

tackle was by Hogg. Taylor has been outstanding since he is come in.

Scored a wonderful try against Wales in Cardiff. This is him playing with

confidence. Breaking Vakatawa's tackle and having the energy and the

power to outrun defence. Vakatawa maybe shouldn't have made the tackle

so early, maybe he should have waited to bring the defence with

him. I think the shirt was taken by Laidlaw. The referee should have

come back on that. You don't believe that. You are just saying that

because you are French. No, honestly. I am proud to be French.

Do you believe that? Brian Moore said in commentary, Glen Jackson, an

ex-player would understand. He has been naughty with the French.

Laidlaw took the shirt off Camara. He would not have tackled him In the

end, one inch makes a difference. You think well played Glen Jackson

there. He has empathy with the game having played it to a great level.

He feels, and rightly in my opinion, it wouldn't have affected the

outcome. You don't like the French! I love the French, you know I do. I

like the first half, every time he had the ball he was creating. You

can see he makes the decision. To be a runner, to take option when he got

the ball. That's what he did. Here the try wasn't made. He tried to run

hard into defence. The way he moved from right to left. Catching the

ball on the slide almost. That's a really good score and patient score

for France. That was good French handling but there were several

moments in the first 20 minutes where the ball went astray and there

were opportunities but the ball hit the deck. We took some risks.

Sometimes when you take risks that pays but sometimes that doesn't pay

and you can see there the complication with 9 and 10 was

complicated too. You can see that, no one knows who is going to get the

ball. That's the role of him. You can see the team is struggling.

These errors lower your confidence. You are a team struggling to get

something happening. Whilst the offloads are great intention, the

execution is poor. You are thinking the next time they do it why are we

trying this? Why don't we keep it simple? The last one, the defender,

Hardie stepped in and the space was there. The middle period of that

half was blighted by a lot of scrums going down and playground to a halt.

We have a scrum here where a penalty is awarded. You think that they

ought to change the scoring system, that this should not be three points

for something like this? To get three points because you have a

scrum going down and you don't really know who made the fault, you

can see maybe Scotland took... To get three points against you on

that, that's a bit harsh. I think that three points has to remain as a

penalty otherwise you are going to get people infringing more on

purpose knowing they're going to get lesser penalty. That could have gone

either way to be honest. Is it worth three points? That's the point

Thomas is saying. We had a similar penalty, it went Scotland's way and

it was a clear penalty. That one, it's so hard. The three points has

to remain otherwise there will be so many. You have to create maybe 20

phases now because the defence are well organised. To get three points

because of that... A solution for that, less substitutes alloweded on

to the field. Foul play, three points for a penalty for foul play

and a technicality like that is the same. Just for you we will show the

shirt tug here. You are obviously totally impartial here. Watch Greig

Laidlaw here. Is this a penalty or not? I don't think it's a penalty. I

mean, it's not affecting play in any way or stretch or fashion. That will

happen almost every ten seconds in the game. You fight your way to get

past a defender. You really do. I think Glen Jackson was completely

right. He says that because we did it many times! I couldn't catch you.

Changing your mind? No. OK. Right. It's also the fourth weekend of the

women's Six Nations. Here is Lee with a round-up of what's been

happening. Just like their male counterparts,

the Grand Slam is still on for England's women after their victory

over Wales yesterday. Kerry Large got England off to a flying start

with two first-half tries. Wales, like their male colleagues, seemed

like a different side after the break with their first try against

England away from home for ten years. But it wasn't enough. 20-13

the end score. France managed to put a shock defeat

against Wales behind them with a victory over Scotland.

The Scots battled but conceded penalty tries either side of

half-time. The French managed two more tries in the final 11 minutes

as Scotland failed to get on the board. The final score, 24-0.

This is how the women's championship looks at the moment.

England played four and won four so similar in many ways to what's

happening with the men's championship. Talking about the

men's event, next Saturday night it's the Grand Slam showdown.

The calm before the storm. You could hear the drop of a pin. Never been

claustrophobic but now the walls are closing in. What a try for England!

England cutting loose. A smile for Eddie Jones.

# Here comes judgment day... The final weekend of the championship

next weekend. Let's hope it's 60% as good as the final weekend was last

year. Wales and Italy. Ireland and Scotland then. France and England,

the Grand Slam beckoning perhaps. The world Twenty20 cricket on

Wednesday. For the first time you can watch highlights via the BBC

Sport website and the app. Since we were last with you a fortnight ago

for round three there's been a furore about the report by a lot of

medical experts, some more expert than others, about the possibility

or the value of banning tackling in schools rugby which has caused a

huge furore. I am sure you have all read it and we have a few examples

here of tackles taking place during matches this weekend. In principle,

Jerry, would do you stand on this debate? I stand with good coaching,

good technique of tackling will always be safe for players. On this

occasion, even a seasoned international like George North can

get in wrong in the heat of the moment. He has his head on the wrong

side. He should - he led with the right shoulder but should have had

his head behind the legs there. We highlight it every time we see a

poorly executed tackle. George has played since he was a youngster. He

has been taught how to tackle since he was six and seven by his father

and then other coaches. Every guy that goes on to this field of play,

every rugby player that plays on a Sunday and every kid that goes out

in school is taught how to tackle properly and that's how it has to

remain. I think world rugby do a good job of taking advice on board

but with a progressive sport it's a staggered approach. In Scotland

there's no tag rugby until you are eight and then eight to 12 it's

around the waist tackles and thereafter it's staggered again.

Learning a skill I think is very, very important before you bring the

full physicality. If you didn't learn the skill properly then having

not practised when you are 18 and physically more powerful it may add

to more problems. The game shouldn't be complacent but should be aware of

the issue, is that fair? I think you're right and you need to

learn the technique, how to tackle on the ground because if you don't

learn that, you might get big injuries. We want to highlight it

should be the child's choice at school whether he wants to play with

contact or not. We should never force it on kids to tackle if they

don't want to. Kids playing at whatever level is by perhaps too one

day playing at a venue like this and the game is fascinatingly poised, a

deemed too old to the good. -- 18-12 to the good.

COMMENTATOR: No changes at half-time so does the original switch with

Peter Horne on early in the first half for Finn Russell after

Russell's head knock and Ford carries for Scotland. There is

Horne. Anybody's to challenge for. It goes back to Duncan Taylor,

eventually come into Gael Fickou, and his late, late try in the first

half exit a 6-point game. A rather loose pass from Horne and a

wonderful take by Ross Ford. Penalty to Scotland is the first referee

decision of the second half. Just about the first mistake Peter Horne

has made. You can't give him too much credit for how he played in the

first half, coming off the bench within ten minutes in such a pivotal

position as number ten, and then to pull the strings like he did in the

first half, really impressive. A big old boot from Stuart Hogg into touch

on this nearside. It was Jefferson Poirot who was getting the talking

to, the French Lu said. -- French loosehead. Good work by

Ross Ford and now straight into the man with the duties of finding his

man at the line-out. Barclay. Hardie has it, a little stocky figure at

the back. There is Horne. He is taken by

Maxime Mermoz. Strauss. Good effort from a standing

start. Goes deeper to Horne this time, for Visser to chase, landing

just outside a 22, well-placed, Spedding, thought he could call the

mark but lost his bearings. Machenaud, feeding it to Vakatawa.

Tries to bounce off his man but Laidlaw clinging on like a terrier.

Yoann Maestri. Guirado. Machenaud sends it up. Our eyes on the ball.

Referee says it is a fair contest. Comes back to Strauss. Slimani.

Advantage, Scotland. WHISTLE Just a scrum advantage from the

French knock-on. Did well to recover that because the French chase was

good. Three players putting pressure on the ball. Strauss has made an