The XV of France began its preparation for the World Cup at home on Saturday with a narrow loss in Scotland (25-21), almost a month before the opening match against the All Blacks. The Blues, largely overhauled, nevertheless led quietly in the first period (21-3) before collapsing, conceding three tries in the last forty minutes against the Scots reduced to fourteen in the 55th minute.
Expectations were high on this first preparation match and it did not disappoint. After a month of intensive physical preparation, the Blues lined up today had ants in their legs and had to show themselves. Despite the opening of the Scottish score on a penalty (5th) it was the French youth who stood out first. From the 12th minute of play, it was the speed of Gailleton and Bielle Biarrey that created the difference to allow Couilloud to score the first French try.
With an aggressive and attacking defence, the Blues hampered the Scots a lot in the first half. On the offensive side, the XV of France wanted to play by opting more for penalties. A choice rewarded by the test of the young Bielle Biarrey (25th) on a beautiful launch behind the key and that of Woki (40th) in a different style, all in power, just before half-time.
But on returning from the locker room, Murrayfield woke up at the same time as his team with a try from Graham, opportunistic and more reactive to the rebound to flatten (43rd) than his direct opponent Ethan Dumortier. Thibaut Giroud’s intensive preparation undoubtedly weighed on the organizations but in the second period the balance of power was reversed and Scotland gradually regained the upper hand.
Ten minutes later, it was Schoeman who collapsed in the French goal (54th) after a long sequence of powerful charges on the Blues in difficulty. The yellow card, converted into red, against Fagerson will not change anything and the Scots will even register a third try on a carried ball to take the lead. Despite a glimmer of hope and a French seat in the Scottish 22 meters in the last five minutes, the Blues did not know how to make the difference and therefore bowed to Murrayfield. Nothing serious in this defeat which will be used by the staff of the Blues to continue the preparation. Next meeting next week against these same Scots in Saint Etienne.
