Humiliated France must beat Scotland to stay in Six Nations race

EDINBURGH, Scotland — The only way is up for France.

France is last in the Six Nations, the only team which failed to earn a competition point last weekend in the opening round.

Humiliated by Ireland like never before in Marseille, France goes to Murrayfield on Saturday with no choice but to beat Scotland to stay relevant in the title race.

Coach Fabien Galthie put his faith in the players to remedy their worst performance on his watch since 2020. He's made only one unforced change, way out on the left wing where 20-year-old Louis Bielle-Biarrey will start instead of Yoram Moefana. Bielle-Biarrey broke into the Rugby World Cup squad after a debut against Scotland in August.

Otherwise, Cameron Woki replaced the suspended Paul Willemse at lock and will offer a much-needed alternative lineout catcher. Willemse's red card from two yellow cards after half an hour no doubt handicapped France but Ireland was already in charge at 17-3. Ireland ended up scoring five converted tries.

Without its best player and captain, Antoine Dupont, France had no urgency or inspiration. Galthie's strategy hasn't been spared criticism, though nobody has been more in the firing line than scrumhalf Maxime Lucu, Dupont's fill-in.

Lucu, unfairly expected to be Dupont, suffered behind a seven-man pack that also struggled to win its own throw-ins, couldn't challenge Ireland's ruck, and was slower after tackles to get back in line.

“It's up to us to get back on the horse,” reserve two-cap scrumhalf Nolann Le Garrec said. “I feel that the team is determined.”

Scotland anticipates a backlash so has welcomed the timely return of co-captain and flanker Rory Darge from a knee injury in December and former captain Grant Gilchrist from suspension.

Darge, Matt Fagerson and recalled No. 8 Jack Dempsey form an all-Glasgow back row, while Gilchrist has replaced lock Richie Gray, who suffered a tournament-ending bicep injury.

While preparing for their fourth match with France in a year, Scotland has been trying to resolves issues from ending its 22-year bogey against Wales in Cardiff.

The Scots were brilliant to lead 27-0 early in the second half until they became complacent and sloppy. Two yellow cards and nine consecutive penalties conceded by Scotland in the second half helped to breathe life into a Wales side which sprung 26 points in 23 madcap minutes. Scotland prevailed by one point but its celebrations were muted.

Gilchrist believed Scotland was being too hard on itself.

“When you win a test match you should always feel a sense of satisfaction and enjoyment because the amount of work that goes into that is huge and should never be underestimated,” Gilchrist said.

“Having that little slant of disappointment is also no bad thing. It brought us in on Monday eager to learn how to get better in the second half and put a full performance together rather than coming in talking about staying grounded or any of these things. I feel it's not a bad place to be, to feel a little bit disappointed despite winning in Cardiff for the first time in 22 years.”

___

Lineups:

Scotland: Kyle Rowe, Kyle Steyn, Huw Jones, Sione Tuipulotu, Duhan van der Merwe, Finn Russell (co-captain), Ben White; Jack Dempsey, Rory Darge (co-captain), Matt Fagerson, Scott Cummings, Grant Gilchrist, Zander Fagerson, George Turner, Pierre Schoeman. Reserves: Ewan Ashman, Alec Hepburn, Elliot Millar-Mills, Sam Skinner, Andy Christie, George Horne, Ben Healy, Cameron Redpath.

France: Thomas Ramos, Damian Penaud, Gael Fickou, Jonathan Danty, Louis Bielle-Biarrey; Matthieu Jalibert, Maxime Lucu; Gregory Alldritt (captain), Charles Ollivon, Francois Cros, Paul Gabrillagues, Cameron Woki, Uini Atonio, Peato Mauvaka, Cyril Baille. Reserves: Julien Marchand, Sebastien Taofifenua, Dorian Aldegheri, Posolo Tuilagi, Alexandre Roumat, Paul Boudehent, Nolann Le Garrec, Yoram Moefana.