Crunched: Frederic Michalak
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France battled to a 23-16 win over Scotland on a wet night in Paris in the final match of the 2013 Six Nations.
The visitors were impressive in defence during the first half as they repelled multiple phases of French attacks, with two Greig Laidlaw penalties putting them 6-0 ahead going into the break.
But France were rejuvenated in the second half, the introduction of Maxime Machenaud transforming their fortunes as they first took the lead thanks to three penalties from Frederic Michalak and then further with two tries from Wesley Fofana and Maxime Médard.
It concluded a miserable tournament for France who finish bottom of the table for the first time since 1999, but Scotland will take heart from their showing in Paris as they improved on negative pre-tournament expectations given the interim head coaching appointment of Scott Johnson.
France tore up the fragile pitch with a series of impressive scrums in the opening five minutes, but it was Scotland who took the lead thanks to a penalty from scrum-half Laidlaw.
Laidlaw furthered the Scots lead minutes later after good French pressure, the hosts unable to put points on the scoreboard early on.
A series of French scrums near the Scottish try line took up a fair chunk of the first half and frustratingly failed to yield any points, with Scotland escaping thanks to consistent defence as boos rang around the Stade de France.
A clever piece of skill from Vincent Clerc kept a Michalak cross-field kick in play, volleying the ball into the path of Yoann Huget, but the French attack eventually broke down following a knock on from Fofana.
Scotland looked the brighter attacking threat going into half-time, replacement Max Evans chipping through but he was beaten to the ball by Maxime Médard. No further scores before the interval meant France were without any points by half-time.
France did finally find their way onto the scoreboard five minutes into the second half, Michalak adding a penalty after good pressure at the scrum.
The hosts then drew level with another Michalak penalty a few minutes later, before completing the turnaround with a third Michalak strike on 54 minutes to take a 9-6 lead.
Laidlaw levelled the scores with a third penalty, but then France took control.
Wesley Fofana capitalised on some fine offloading down the right hand side to grab the game's first try, with Michalak converting.
Bastareaud's break then led to a second French score from Médard as France opened up some daylight between themselves and the visitors. Michalak was forced to retire hurt, receiving warm applause from the crowd after a difficult Six Nations, leaving Machenaud to convert.
Scotland then went from 22 to 22 to score a breakaway try for Tim Visser, giving the Scots hope as time ticked away. They were unable to seal another victory though as France clung on, easing the pressure on Philippe Saint-André but meaning that they finish the championship at the bottom of the table.
Man of the match: A real game-changing substitute, the introduction of scrum-half Maxime Machenaud switched the home sides's fortunes as he worked with first Michalak and then François Trinh-Duc.
Moment of the match: A half-time rollicking from Philippe Saint-André appeared to snap France into life, as they took the lead with three penalties after the break and then ran in two tries.
Villain of the match: That man Michalak again baffled with his selection, and was forced to leave the field due to injury as a respite after a nasty forearm earlier on.
The scorers:
For France:
Tries: Fofana, Médard
Cons: Michalak, Machenaud
Pens: Michalak 3
For Scotland:
Try: Visser
Con: Laidlaw
Pens: Laidlaw 3
The teams:
France: 15 Yoann Huget, 14 Vincent Clerc, 13 Mathieu Bastareaud, 12 Wesley Fofana, 11 Maxime Médard, 10 Frederic Michalak, 9 Morgan Parra, 8 Louis Picamoles, 7 Thierry Dusautoir, 6 Antonie Claassen, 5 Yoann Maestri, 4 Sebastien Vahaamahina, 3 Nicolas Mas, 2 Benjamin Kayser, 1 Thomas Domingo.
Replacements: 16 Guilhem Guirado, 17 Vincent Debaty, 18 Luc Ducalcon, 19 Christophe Samson, 20 Yannick Nyanga, 21 Maxime Machenaud, 22 François Trinh-Duc, 23 Florian Fritz or Gael Fickou.
Scotland: 15 Stuart Hogg, 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Sean Lamont, 12 Matt Scott, 11 Tim Visser, 10 Duncan Weir, 9 Greig Laidlaw, 8 Johnnie Beattie, 7 Kelly Brown, 6 Alasdair Strokosch, 5 Jim Hamilton, 4 Grant Gilchrist, 3 Euan Murray, 2 Ross Ford, 1 Ryan Grant.
Replacements: 16 Dougie Hall, 17 Moray Low, 18 Geoff Cross, 19 Alastair Kellock, 20 Ryan Wilson, 21 Henry Pyrgos, 22 Ruaridh Jackson, 23 Max Evans.
Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Assistant referees: George Clancy (Ireland), Lourens van der Merwe (South Africa)
Comments
lacroix says...
france were poor and PSA selections were largely to blame, along with some lethargic performances.
but even playing badly france could and probably should have won against england and ireland, and with a bit of luck could have scraped a win against a superb italy...they were not blown away in any of their losses (ahem-england please note) .picamoles and fofana were two of the best players in the tournament despite being surrounded by misfiring players with no gameplan, and the french first choice front row was arguably the best unit. if owens spots the fickou take out they don't even finish bottom of the table.
i'm not saying france had a great 6N- i can't recall a worse one - but with a few rubs of the green, 50/50 calls going their way, they could have been 2nd or 3rd.....which would be worse in the long term for french rugby because there has to be lessons learnt from this.
Posted 16:04 19th March 2013
KiwiRooster says...
@les_bleus as far as I am concerned Guy Noves became an half-arsed coach the day he refused to take charge of French rugby at international level, arguing his heart belonged to Stade Toulousain. How lame an excuse can be (...) It had to be one of the biggest let down and act of cowardice on display by Guy Noves.
There are reasons for my disgust:
1/ You do not ever refuse the honor to serve your country at international level
2/ Noves won it all with Stade Toulousain - nothing left to prove
3/ The prospect of facing the All Blacks, Springboks, etc should be the ultimate challenge for any coach
4/ Noves has long been the FFR (French Rugby Union) loudest critic which is fair enough - but the logical answer to such critic once they are in a position to move things forward is to put your money where your mouth is or shut up for life
What Guy Noves did is just too easy, standing back while watching others trying and criticising for the sake of it. Noves lost credit there.
Last but not least, Noves is one of the advocates of a Clubs vs Provinces World Cup between Northern and Southern hemispheres. Well, he may not comprehend the fact that the ABs remain New Zealand proudest tribute to rugby, same for the Springboks in South Africa and so on. A majority of supporters like their country rugby. Super 15 main purpose is to supply each national team.
How could anyone refusing to represent their country as national coach be influential enough to promote the idea of a club World Cup without benefit for the national sides?
Ask Vern Cotter or Warren Gatland if they would ever refuse to take charge of the All Blacks (...) Not in their worst nightmare they would.
In my book, Noves has proved to be sulky and arrogant. We may think of it as France loss, but I am sure Noves himself will regret his choice one day.
Posted 13:40 18th March 2013
atg77 says...
Firstly, it disgusts me that Michelak was allowed to get away with that kind of thuggary. Should have been a red without question. The linesman saw the whole thing yet he did nothing. In the real world that would have been a criminal record, so why is he allowed to do it on the rugby feild? Its because of thugs like that I had to quit playing the game. Apart from that, the game really highlighed Scotland's need for a creative, ball playing outside centre who can make that outside break and unleash our deadly back three. Desparately need to blood Dunbar and Bennett in the summer.
Posted 14:16 17th March 2013
carpelone says...
Scotland must take heart from this Championship and especially, from their game against Wales. They matched them quite well.
Rome was not built in a day, and Scotland can build on this campaign.
Congratulations to Johnson, he got things right and he will become for Scotland what Lancaster is for England.
From interim to permanent.
Posted 13:52 17th March 2013
carpelone says...
Is this the Wooden Spon for the Frogs, right?
Posted 13:49 17th March 2013
spam says...
Correct villain but for the wrong reasons. Michalak should have been red-carded for his off-the-ball forearm smash on Hogg at 43mins, 6-0 down. So although the block on Fickou gave Scotland a try, who knows what would have happened if France were 14 men for half the game? There would have been a few more holes for Scotland to attack for sure.
Posted 13:48 17th March 2013
yuri29 says...
"Poor display from France, but I think that Michalak bashing is undeserved. The guy has played more than 40 games in a row, starting the north hemisphere season after one in the south. He plays well in Toulon. Should not have been selected for France, though, as the risks for injury increase with tiredness, as could unfortunately be seen."
Good to see some sense posters there.
Posted 13:33 17th March 2013
yuri29 says...
Clive Woodward should have shutted up about Michalak and would do well to remember that with Michalak at 10, his english team have lost more often against France than they've won (2 wins - 1 loss).
Also, he can say what he wants but Freddie has been one of the most successful fly halfs of the professionnal era in term of prize list : 1 Grand Slam, 1 6N, 2 HCUPs, 1 Currie Cup, 1 top 14, 2 RWC 1/2 finals(where he's been instrumental in both 1/4 finals, NZ still remember this), 1 super 15 final.
Oh and he'll be forever remembered as one of the very few NH players who managed to have success both in NH and SH rugby.
Posted 13:32 17th March 2013
blametheref says...
The Wooden Spoon is awarded to a team in the 6 Nations (or old 5 Nations) who has not won a match and come last in the table
Posted 13:17 17th March 2013
mlbp says...
Thanks Vince and the others... I thought it was only me who had spotted Fickou being taken out. No wonder Scott found that motorway to run through the French defence...
Posted 12:33 17th March 2013
les_bleus says...
@KiwiRooster
Fully agree with you. The problem nowadays is that no-one can write anything without trying to be "sensational", PR included. Straight, professional, objective reporting is more of an utopia these days.
It was great that French supporters in the SDF chanted Michalak-Michalk when he had to go through injury. I have criticised PSA for selecting Michalak depsoite the latter's loss of form, but Michalak is a great player and should not be lambsted by so called supporters. Unlike you, I beleive Trinh-Duc should have been given a chance with another untested player on the bench.
PSA has messed this tournament for us and in the process has blamed everyone but himslef and his selection committee. He should of course stay, but it would be great if he could change his way of doing things. Then for 2019, the FFR will need to spend lots of money to get Novès on board.
Posted 11:55 17th March 2013
iManu says...
Amazing how the same ranking leads from different conclusions from both sides of the Chanel: In the UK, France has got the wooden spoon for being the last in this year's ranking. Here in Frogland we consider that the wooden spoon can't be attributed if a team has scored some points (i.e. conclusions after the draw against Ireland were that "at least France avoided the wooden spoon").
Regarding the game, well...
Poor display from France, but I think that Michalak bashing is undeserved. The guy has played more than 40 games in a row, starting the north hemisphere season after one in the south. He plays well in Toulon. Should not have been selected for France, though, as the risks for injury increase with tiredness, as could unfortunately be seen.
Posted 11:05 17th March 2013
vince12 says...
mlbp says...
Wasn't Gael Fickou blocked and taken out at the beginning of the move that led to the Scottish try?
he was literally talen out! This year refereeing is definitively something to look at (to say the least)
Posted 10:23 17th March 2013
KiwiRooster says...
PR does not seem to grasp the concept of "Villain of the match".
Either that or Clive Woodward must be their mentor since Michalak was twice granted the VOM "award" for (...) not being a villain at all. Or maybe they need a dictionary.
Since when a player should be tagged villain for having an average game or even more pathetic for being exhausted or injured? Try shooting at an ambulance for sport next time (...)
Let me remind you PR guys (like it is not your job to know that), that Fred Michalak played back to back Super 15 with the Durban Sharks (reaching the final against the Chiefs), and the French Top 14, Heineken Cup with RC Toulon, november tests with France before ending up in this year's 6 Nations tournament. The French fly-half has long passed the 45 games in a row borderline. Do not attempt this in your local rugby club.
Remember Dan Carter when switching from Super 14 with the Crusaders to the French Top 14 with USAP Perpignan? Well, you may not remember because the stint was so short. At the time USAP (and rugby in general) lost Carter to a pretty nasty injury for 6 months or so.
Still, I cannot remember PR calling Dan Carter a villain, so is it just me or the PR boys are being horribly obtus and one sided in their prejudice against Michalak? (Woodward-like)
Michalak was not at his best but he is the same brilliant fly-half as with the Durban Sharks or the november test, only now he is cooked to the bone. He should have been rested, and someone else (given Trinh-Duc unability to deliver for 4 years in the blue shirt) should have been given a chance: Wisniewski (half-back pairing with Machenaud for Racing Metro) and Lopez (based purely on current form) were the two obvious choices.
If there was to be a "villain" tag it should be PSA and his selection committee who failed to realise Michalak was crooked before the tournament even started.
Posted 10:04 17th March 2013
les_bleus says...
It's good to have a victory. Soul-searching by PSA is required.
Posted 09:10 17th March 2013
Saint_Andre91 says...
Not to take anything away from the Scots, but their try should have been disallowed. It looked so easy because there was no defender, Fickou having been brought to the ground by a decoy runner 10m from the ball thus leaving a hole inside of Fofana (look at 4:10 it is really obvious: http://www.dailymotion.com/fr/relevance/search/france+ecosse+rugby/1#video=xy9crt)
That said, at least 40 minutes of pleasing rugby from France. I feared the worst after the first forty which were just pathetic. Let's hope we can improve from this.
Posted 08:50 17th March 2013
mlbp says...
Wasn't Gael Fickou blocked and taken out at the beginning of the move that led to the Scottish try?
Posted 08:39 17th March 2013
Iyhel says...
I guess Debaty will be buying the drinks for at least one month but one can't really blame him, his sorry look after being stopped short of the line was comical, I suppose after a sprint his brain probably almost burst and he could not hear Clerc calling...
Posted 08:22 17th March 2013
melkdave says...
A strange game in many ways ,both sides looked uncertain about what to actualy do ,this match.Scotland once again didnt get any ball,and failed to mount any worthwhile attack,until the very end.While France again looked disjointed and uninterested,and relient on individual skills,for their 1st victory..Alot of those french players i wouldnt be playing ever again ,unless i had no choice through injury Michlak ,not a FH,Parra not a leader ror game manager.Big question marks over the backrows commitment,and Clercs.PSA has a complete rebuild to do imo.Which is very surprising given how the team played in the aurtum.Perhaps like ML he just hasnt got the teams confidance ,or they dont know what he wants of them.But something is very wrong with the french set up atm.As for Scotland the usual 1 step forward and 2 steps back,that has bedevilled them for over a decade.Wheres the attacking mojo of 2 seasons ago,the team prepard to go through the phases,and keep the ball,i ask??That team with its current defence would be very hard to beat ,and even frightening ,atm thats something Scotland arnt .Teams just dont fear them at all.
Posted 07:48 17th March 2013
gozar2013 says...
In the second half France looked good. Saint Andre really needs to sort out his halves combination. When Machenaud came on France looked much sharper in attack. I really think Michalaks days are over. Also Keysers line out throwing was woeful, and I believe Guirado should be the run on hooker. Also they need to pick a better reserve front row, than debaty and ducalcon, there just not in the same class as Domingo and Mass.
France really need to do some soul searching, but the reason for their poor showing was due to poor selections, poor replacements, and picking people out of positions. Hopefully a decent team is picked for the tour of New Zealand.
Posted 06:36 17th March 2013