FRANCE COACH PHILIPPE Saint-Andre backed his side to be a much improved outfit when they face Ireland in a potential Six Nations title decider in Paris.
Replacement scrum-half Jean-Marc Doussain’s 79th minute penalty helped France to a fortunate 19-17 win away to Scotland yesterday.
“It will be a different game at home at the Stade de France in front of our crowd,” Saint-Andre said.
“We need to start well and accelerate during the 80 minutes but I am sure the guys can do this,” the former France captain added.
“The target (against Scotland) was to win, to keep our discipline, keep our composure and we did this during the 80 minutes.”
Earlier, Ireland thrashed Italy 46-7 in Dublin as they, like France, made it three wins from four Six Nations matches this season.
Either England or Wales, who play each other at Twickenham this afternoon, are set to join the leaders on three wins barring a draw in London.
Although all three final round fixtures take place on March 15, France and Ireland will be in the privileged position of knowing exactly what they need to do to win the title as theirs is the last match to kick-off.
The game will also have an extra special significance as it is set to be Ireland great Brian O’Driscoll’s final Test before the centre’s retirement.
“I hope the Brian O’Driscoll party was today in Dublin, not next week at the Stade de France,” said Saint-Andre.
The Edinburgh Test was France’s their first away victory in the Six Nations since they won at the same venue two years ago.
France scrum-half Maxime Machenaud kicked three penalties before the break but they still trailed 14-9 at the interval after Scotland scored converted tries through full-back Stuart Hogg and wing Tommy Seymour.
But early in the second half France led when wing Yoann Huget picked off Scotland fly-half Duncan Weir’s ‘telegraphed’ pass and sprinted some 90 metres for an intercept try.
Weir kicked a penalty to nudge Scotland into a one-point lead heading into the final quarter but the drop-goal hero of Scotland’s last-gasp win against Italy in Rome then missed with a 44-metre effort.
At 17-16 Scotland were only one lapse away from defeat and it came when, with barely two minutes left, lock Tim Swinson was penalised for not releasing at the breakdown in front of his own posts.
Doussain, on as a replacement for Machenaud, made no mistake and France had their eighth successive win over Scotland.
“It is a good sign how we got back into the game and this win is especially important as it shows we can win away from home,” said Huget.
‘Scotland should have won’
There was some debate about referee Chris Pollock’s final penalty award but Scotland coach Scott Johnson was happy to accept the New Zealand official’s verdict in that instance.
However, he was mystified as to how Scotland had yet again ended up on the wrong end of a lopsided overall penalty count.
“That’s without a doubt my most disappointing day as Scotland coach,” said Johnson.
“I’m gutted, absolutely gutted,” the Australian added.
“We’ve got to accept our responsibility for it, and we will, but in a competition as close as this and you’re leading the game, and you’re down 11-2 on penalty count, I don’t know. That doesn’t sit well with me.
“This was a game we should have won, I felt we were the better team, no doubt about it.
“Sometimes the scoreboard just doesn’t reflect what happens in the contest,” insisted Johnson, whose side finish their Six Nations campaign away to two-time defending champions Wales.
Watching Jose and pogba, will be more entertaining than the football .
@Liam Neeson: it’s all going to plan for Jose.
C’mon you irons#.
Ahahahahahahahahahaha pmsl
@Tuot tuot: why are you laughing at a british club? Another case of my british club is better than your british club
@Paul: nearly as bad as you commenting on a British club thread.
@John: or commenting on somebody commenting …eh John
@Paul: and there is you speaking the queens english and probably watch English TV and use things made in Britain too.
Give over you pleb
@Colin Ahern: I guess he also only supports irish home grown music and none of that foreign stuff too.
@Paul: Oh give over.it has always been this way and always will be.
Pogba is at a stage where he doesn’t really care. He is on crazy money and his reputation after winning the world cup is an all time high. Maybe not witj fans but for Barcelona, real Madrid and psg boards he’s still worth 100 million. He could feasibly play poorly for years and swap between top clubs and earn the same money.
@Murf T Will: I was with you right up until the playing poorly for years bit. No one’s reputation is bullet proof! Just look at the likes of Torres, Rooney etc.
@Murf T Will: Rooney played poorly for years with United. He definitely milked it. They only shipped him out because he couldn’t run anymore.
@Murf T Will: Yeah – with United. Then he moved to Everton didn’t he? It’s not like he’s been bouncing around the top clubs whilst playing poorly on the strength of his good reputation as you claim Pogba might.
@Murf T Will: It was his reputation and nationality that kept him at United.
@I’m not wavy gravy: Yea Torres bounced from Liverpool to Chelsea to Atletico. Not really a dip in standard.
@Hugh Jass: I see your point but Chelsea to Athletico was a huge drop in standard for Torres! Do you not remember how good he was at Liverpool? He’s lucky there was so much love for him at AM or he’d have been thrown into mid-table obscurity.
@Murf T Will: And as soon as it was time to move clubs where did he go? Everton then Galaxy. Your original claim was that Pogba can play poorly for years and still secure high profile moves to the likes of Barca and Real Madrid. That’s clearly not the case.
@Murf T Will: Yeah. Obviously with age you will move to lesser clubs with physical ability weakening. Up until 30 to 32 pogba will circulate the top clubs.
@Murf T Will: And if he transfers to a club like spurs within that time I’ll personally go into your bank and pay off your mortgage.
@Murf T Will: Haha alright, deal. I’ll meet you back here in ten years and we’ll see who’s right.
Hope Rice has good game!
@Magnum: Hes had a cracking game Magnum
But but but but
Not good enough. I thought Jose would have till January to turn it around but I’m not so sure now
I”m getting sick of this, nobody fears man Utd anymore and by the looks of it, with good reason. Bottom of table clubs will be looking to take a point as a minimum and hope to take 3. Tough season ahead, top 4 looking dodgy for sure.
Hammers well worth their 2-0 lead. So much negativity surrounding the club ,players and manager. Score line doesn’t surprise me.In saying that I think it’s Woodward that needs to take a step back and let someone else take the reigns. He is a very astute businessman but not a Chief Executive.
@Johnny Bravo: so it’s Woodwards fault United are 2 nil down to a team that have only own a single league game this season?
@Gareth Keenan: He has been more or less head of the decision making in the last few years , so if you like yea he should shoulder some of the blame for today’s game and more. Does that explain it for you
@Johnny Bravo: no it doesn’t actually. Manager and players are responsible for what happens on the pitch.
@Gareth Keenan’: who’s responsible for putting them there in the first place I ask you !
haha such a crap performance again today from.the once mighty now shitey man United.Total laughing stock of a club from the manager down to the very poor egotistical players they have.Mourinho to stay on hopefully .They deserve each other .
@Michael cunnane: Micheal comeback when you’ve actually won something. Good lad
@Michael cunnane: Nearly as bad as Spurs performance at home to Liverpool! Scoreline flattered Spurs, should have been 5!
@Michael cunnane: whereas Spuds have been shitey since the days of Ricky Villa and Ardiles
@Michael cunnane: sorry you probably don’t know who they are
@David Carino: Hahahahahahahaha 3-0 we outclassed ye at old crappord.Have that .Spurs light years ahead of United.Wakey wakey
@Michael cunnane: yes so far ahead I can’t see because of the shine coming out of your Trophy drawer .
So 2-0. Everything going to plan with Paul and Jose
Give Smalling and Shaw a pay rise! 4 million a year is nowhere near enough for this level of mediocre, overhyped talent. This is what I spend my hard earned barstooler euro on, so you better sort it Woodward!… Sure, it’s the best league in the world!