22 February 2012
France have had two weeks off after their game against Ireland got postponed until 3 March. Hopefully the French will learn and install under pitch heating now. Scotland are coming into this game from two losses against Wales and England. But a steady improvement has been seen. At least they are starting to score tries. If the referees and TMO's will only allow them all, they might start winning games.
Scotland will still be looking back at the England game and wondering how they lost that one. So many chances and yet only once did they cross the line, only to have the referee disallow the try. Their handling has improved and will have to be spot on against France. They can't let chances go begging against the French. Their defence will have to be sharp, as France can beat any team on any day. Scotland will be tested in the line outs and scrums but they can counter this if they are clever. My main concern is the Scottish discipline. Two yellow cards vs Wales effectively killed the game for them. They had two tries scored in that time and lost by 14 points. Scotland will have to work on this.
The two week break France has had might not be the best thing for them. As we all know the French team needs momentum and this might just have broken that. If it has it will throw the whole competition wide open and only one team will have the chance to get the Grand Slam. Then again this might just motivate them more. Against Italy they showed that they can play calculated and measured rugby which is what they need.
They did enough to keep Italy out from the try line and enough to score 4 tries and win the game. This is what will be needed against a Scotland team that looks like winning a game at any time. They will not have it as easy on defence as against Italy. Scrum and breakdowns should be OK as they can counter the Scots here. But I'm looking forward to their flair when running with the ball. This is where they will probably win the game. If it comes off they will have Scotland at sixes and sevens and if not Scotland will be able to counter.
This all said it is a difficult game to call. My head tells me the French will win this one with their momentum. Then my heart says go with Scotland as you have blood lines there. Then I think Scotland with their backs against a wall can be very dangerous. And France playing with flair can beat any team. In the end I must go with France by 7.
