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\f0\fs26 \cf2 \cb3 France v Scotland\ With Wales having already clinched the Champonship

earlier in the day, there was a touch of anti climax about this game at Stade de France,

but important for both sides never-the-less.\ The French needing a big win to avoid their

first wooden spoon in 14 years.\ And Scotland seeking their first ever RBS

6 nations win in Paris.Ironically, their last win in the Championship there, was in the

five nations 1999, when France were wooden spoonists..\

In difficult wet and windy conditions, it was the visitors who took the lead after 8

minutes. Louis Picamole getting caught offside, - referee Nigel Owens awarded a penalty - and

Greg Laidlaw was on target with his kick. The Edinburgh scrum half has kicked superbly

during the championship, and he gave the Scots a three point lead early on.\

France looked nervous and the officials consulted before penalising Yoannn Maestri for taking

out the jumper at the line-out, it gave Laidlaw a chance to put another three points on the

board. And he was succesful with the boot to make it 6-0 for the visitors inside the

opening quarter hour.\ After a period of stout Scotland defending

which held the French at bay..... the closest they came to a first half try, was when Scottish

substitute Max Evans, on for the injured, Sean Maitland; broke the line and chipped

ahead and for a moment looked like he might be through, but Maxime Medard was happy to

usher the ball out of play and the danger was averted..\

As the half time whistle blew, the home side were subjected to a chorus of boos from the

disenchanted French supporters, music to the ears of the Scots who'd travelled to Paris.\

Whatever St Andre said at half time it had the desired result France came out with more

spirit, and cut and thrust . In the case of Freddy Michalak a little too much fighting

spirit as he and Ali Hogg came head to head ,but they were only warned by the referee

for their misbehaviour.\ Soon after Michalak was doing what he was

picked to do, and that is slotting over a penalty to reduce the margin to three points...\

Shortly after that as France cranked up the pressure, the Scots struggled to hold them

out and eventually were penalised by the ref for offside, and Michalak had the task of

kicking the sides level, the 30 year old did just that to make it 6 all.\

Michalak and Laidlaw exchanged a penalty a piece to leave it at 9 all.\

Tiredness was creeping in, and mistakes were being made.\

The first French try eventually arrived on 66 minutes Bastereaud and Nyanga involved,

before Wesley Fofana set sail for the line. He wasn't going to be stopped and Hoggs attempted

tackle looked weary. Fofana ran under the posts to give Michalak the easiest of tasks

with the conversion France with a 16-9 lead\ 10 minutes from time, France crossed over

again. The instigator was Mathieu Bastereaud once again with a rampaging run at the heart

of the Scots defence. He was thwarted, but the French maintained the pressure and as

the move continued, substitute Maxime Machenaud, found the other Maxime - Medard- who areered

over the line and suddenly hopes of avoiding the wooden spoon were alive with a 23-9 lead

after Michalak converted...\ Wonderful movement and pace from the French

backs and Scotland looked heavy legged.. France were now a penalty kick away from condemning

Ireland to the Wooden spoon, that was until five minutes from time when Scotland produced

one of those moments of real magic.\ From inside their own 22, the Scots moved

the ball wide. Centre Matt Scott made the break and drew the tacklers before releasing

Tim Visser who sprinted clear, for a really marvellous score. There was momentary flutters

for the Scots as Visser was challenged before getting the touchdown, which Ruari Jackson

converted for 23 - 16...\ Great pace from the man born in Holland for

his 2nd try of the championship\ A win for the French, but not by enough to

avoid the wooden spoon, or La Cuiller en Bois in French. Things can surely only get better

for them.\ Scotland finish the campaign with two wins,

and a degree of promise about the side interim coach Scott Johnston is putting together.\

Final score in the last match of the RBS 6 Nations for 2013.\

France 23 Scotland 16\ }