France edge willing Scots

France held firm in the face of a fierce Scottish onslaught to start their 2015 Six Nations campaign on a winning note.

Scotland scored the game's only try, through replacement Dougie Fife, at Stade de France in Paris on Saturday.

However, five penalties from the boot of rookie flyhalf Camille Lopez saw Les Bleus walk away with a 15-8 win.

Lopez's boot proved the difference in a closely-fought match, in which the resurgent visitors went toe-to-toe with their hosts – winning many of the statistical battles except the one that really matters – the scoreline.

Scotland have become notoriously slow starters in this Championship in recent years, winning just one of their last eight opening fixtures.

While, in contrast, France have never lost an Six Nations opener at home, a run of seven straight wins, and history books record they've won 13 of 14 opening weekend encounters with Scotland.

And, if statistics are your thing, Scotland's last win in Paris was 16 years ago, the year of their most recent title success in the final Five Nations Championship.

But Vern Cotter's team have new strength in depth and boosted their confidence in November by pushing the All Blacks close and beating Argentina.

In contrast Philippe Saint-Andre's France won have won just four of their last 10 fixtures, so Lopez's second minute penalty, after Blair Cowan's infringement, will have settled the nerves.

Lopez, in his first Six Nations start, looked confident at outside half, threading a second straightforward penalty just five minutes after Scottish captain Greig Laidlaw had levelled the scores with a kick of his own.

Scottish flyhalf Finn Russell spurned a gilt-edged drop-goal chance before Lopez added another penalty in what was becoming an open, expansive and entertaining encounter.

And Scotland deservedly headed into the break just one point behind after a flowing move that underlined their attacking threat and new-found swagger.

Stuart Hogg and Alex Dunbar were denied by some frantic defending but quick thinking saw the ball switch from flank to flank in four passes, Dougie Fife scoring his first try in a Scotland shirt on the stroke of half-time, with Laidlaw's attempt to add the extras hitting the post.

Scottish coach Cotter has an inside knowledge of the French game from his eight years at Clermont and knew they'd emerge strongly from the restart.

However, Scotland's defence stayed resolute, putting France under pressure at the breakdown and winning their share of tackles.

But in such a close encounter, one mistake can be pivotal and when Scotland lost a line-out and then Hogg cleared the ball on the full, the lost territory was to prove decisive when Lopez added his fourth penalty to restore a four-point advantage.

Scotland were now firmly on the defensive as the unfamiliar red shirts of Les Bleus started to dominate, the crowd and momentum urging and pushing them forward.

Lopez saw a penalty clatter against the post while Johnnie Beattie saw yellow to reduce the visitors to 14 at the worst time possible.

But the numerical disadvantage seemed to revitalise Scotland, who arguably enjoyed their best spell of the half when Beattie was off the field.

However, when Yoann Huget claimed an interception and raced towards the line it seemed they'd finally been breached, only for Mark Bennett's desperate cover tackle to dislodge the ball from the French winger.

The final minutes saw both sides throw caution aside but when referee Nigel Owens again penalised Scotland at the breakdown, the impressive Lopez converted the penalty to give the hosts a decisive seven-point lead with just seconds remaining.

Man of the match: You could be tempted to give it to French flyhalf Camille Lopez, after all, he scored all their points. Teddy Thomas also had a few handy runs and scrumhalf Rory Kockott justified his selection in the starting XV. Scotland's young lock Johnny Gray certainly outshone elder brother Richie and also put his hand up. However, our award goes to Scotland fullback Stuart Hogg – who was a rock in the last line and showed some sublime skills. We'll forgive him that error when he cleared directly into touch, the rest of his game was from the top shelve.

Moment of the match: The significance of Camille Lopez' penalties – especially the fifth one a minute from time – can't be summarily dismissed. However, Dougie Fife's try right on half-time – his first try in a Scotland shirt – was a significant moment in the game. It not only brought Scotland to within a point of the French, but it gave them genuine belief that they could upset Les Bleus.

Villain of the match: Scotland No.8 Johnnie Beattie is going to be handed this ignominious award – based on his yellow card in the 63rd minute. However, he just did what every desperate player in the game will do – put a hand out there to stop a certain try. The card was justified, but you have to have some sympathy for the man.

The scorers:

For France:

Pens: Lopez 5

For Scotland:

Try: Fife

Pen: Laidlaw

Yellow card: Johnnie Beattie (Scotland, 63 – professional foul, deliberately slapping the ball down)

Teams:

France: 15 Scott Spedding, 14 Yoann Huget, 13 Mathieu Bastareaud, 12 Wesley Fofana, 11 Teddy Thomas, 10 Camille Lopez, 9 Rory Kockott, 8 Damien Chouly, 7 Bernard Le Roux, 6 Thierry Dusautoir (captain), 5 Yoann Maestri, 4 Pascal Pape, 3 Rabah Slimani, 2 Guilhem Guirado, 1 Alexandre Menini.

Replacements: 16 Benjamin Kayser, 17 Uini Atonio, 18 Eddy Ben Arous, 19 Romain Taofifenua, 20 Loann Goujon, 21 Morgan Parra, 22 Remi Tales, 23 Remi Lamerat.

Scotland: 15 Stuart Hogg, 14 Tommy Seymour, 13 Mark Bennett, 12 Alex Dunbar, 11 Tim Visser, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Greig Laidlaw (captain), 8 Johnnie Beattie, 7 Blair Cowan, 6 Rob Harley, 5 Jonny Gray, 4 Richie Gray, 3 Euan Murray, 2 Ross Ford, 1 Alasdair Dickinson.

Replacements: 16 Fraser Brown, 17 Gordon Reid, 18 Geoff Cross, 19 Jim Hamilton, 20 Alasdair Strokosch, 21 Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, 22 Peter Horne, 23 Dougie Fife.

Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)

Assistant referees: Glen Jackson (New Zealand), Mike Fraser (New Zealand)

TMO: George Ayoub (Australia)

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