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\f0\fs26 \cf2 \cb3 France v Scotland\ With Wales having already clinched the Champonship
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earlier in the day, there was a touch of anti climax about this game at Stade de France,
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but important for both sides never-the-less.\ The French needing a big win to avoid their
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first wooden spoon in 14 years.\ And Scotland seeking their first ever RBS
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6 nations win in Paris.Ironically, their last win in the Championship there, was in the
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five nations 1999, when France were wooden spoonists..\
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In difficult wet and windy conditions, it was the visitors who took the lead after 8
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minutes. Louis Picamole getting caught offside, - referee Nigel Owens awarded a penalty - and
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Greg Laidlaw was on target with his kick. The Edinburgh scrum half has kicked superbly
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during the championship, and he gave the Scots a three point lead early on.\
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France looked nervous and the officials consulted before penalising Yoannn Maestri for taking
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out the jumper at the line-out, it gave Laidlaw a chance to put another three points on the
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board. And he was succesful with the boot to make it 6-0 for the visitors inside the
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opening quarter hour.\ After a period of stout Scotland defending
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which held the French at bay..... the closest they came to a first half try, was when Scottish
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substitute Max Evans, on for the injured, Sean Maitland; broke the line and chipped
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ahead and for a moment looked like he might be through, but Maxime Medard was happy to
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usher the ball out of play and the danger was averted..\
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As the half time whistle blew, the home side were subjected to a chorus of boos from the
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disenchanted French supporters, music to the ears of the Scots who'd travelled to Paris.\
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Whatever St Andre said at half time it had the desired result France came out with more
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spirit, and cut and thrust . In the case of Freddy Michalak a little too much fighting
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spirit as he and Ali Hogg came head to head ,but they were only warned by the referee
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for their misbehaviour.\ Soon after Michalak was doing what he was
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picked to do, and that is slotting over a penalty to reduce the margin to three points...\
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Shortly after that as France cranked up the pressure, the Scots struggled to hold them
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out and eventually were penalised by the ref for offside, and Michalak had the task of
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kicking the sides level, the 30 year old did just that to make it 6 all.\
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Michalak and Laidlaw exchanged a penalty a piece to leave it at 9 all.\
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Tiredness was creeping in, and mistakes were being made.\
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The first French try eventually arrived on 66 minutes Bastereaud and Nyanga involved,
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before Wesley Fofana set sail for the line. He wasn't going to be stopped and Hoggs attempted
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tackle looked weary. Fofana ran under the posts to give Michalak the easiest of tasks
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with the conversion France with a 16-9 lead\ 10 minutes from time, France crossed over
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again. The instigator was Mathieu Bastereaud once again with a rampaging run at the heart
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of the Scots defence. He was thwarted, but the French maintained the pressure and as
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the move continued, substitute Maxime Machenaud, found the other Maxime - Medard- who areered
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over the line and suddenly hopes of avoiding the wooden spoon were alive with a 23-9 lead
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after Michalak converted...\ Wonderful movement and pace from the French
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backs and Scotland looked heavy legged.. France were now a penalty kick away from condemning
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Ireland to the Wooden spoon, that was until five minutes from time when Scotland produced
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one of those moments of real magic.\ From inside their own 22, the Scots moved
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the ball wide. Centre Matt Scott made the break and drew the tacklers before releasing
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Tim Visser who sprinted clear, for a really marvellous score. There was momentary flutters
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for the Scots as Visser was challenged before getting the touchdown, which Ruari Jackson
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converted for 23 - 16...\ Great pace from the man born in Holland for
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his 2nd try of the championship\ A win for the French, but not by enough to
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avoid the wooden spoon, or La Cuiller en Bois in French. Things can surely only get better
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for them.\ Scotland finish the campaign with two wins,
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and a degree of promise about the side interim coach Scott Johnston is putting together.\
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Final score in the last match of the RBS 6 Nations for 2013.\
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France 23 Scotland 16\ }