France to make dominance count
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France need to make their dominance count if they are to threaten Six Nations holders Ireland next weekend, coach Philippe Saint-Andre said after his team struggled to beat Scotland on Saturday.
The hosts enjoyed much of the possession in their tournament opener and played most of the second period in Scotland's half but failed to score a single try in a 15-8 win at the Stade de France.
"We need to be more patient when we are close to the lines," Saint-Andre told a news conference.
"We need to play one or two extra phases if we want to score."
Wing Yoann Huget came close in the second half after a dazzling run but knocked the ball on as he was about to score a try.
Instead, France relied on the boot of Camille Lopez as the flyhalf slotted home five of six penalties.
"We need to improve on our periods of dominance, we need to make them count," said Saint-Andre.
The former France international, however, was satisfied his team managed to win the match despite conceding a try.
"We could have done better but two years ago it is a game we would not have won," added the coach.
Asked whether that level of performance would be high enough to beat Ireland in Dublin next Saturday, captain Thierry Dusautoir said: "We will come up with the solutions for next weekend."
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