Player Ratings: France
OPINION: One of the most staggering games of Six Nations ever played and probably the Scots’ greatest performance of the modern era.
Scotland came out like Mel Gibson before the Battle of Stirling Bridge. They played the perfect game to rock and unsettle France, humbling the French 50-40 in a manner that this team has never been humbled.
*Ian Cameron rates the France players!
1. Jean-Baptiste Gros – 6.5
France’s most reliable forward on a bruising afternoon. Put in a superb cover tackle on Blair Kinghorn just before the break and later smashed Scott Cummings with another big hit. One of the few Frenchmen who consistently matched Scotland’s physical edge.
2. Julien Marchand – 2.5
A nightmare outing. From the off, he looked on the wrong side of referee Angus Gardner, repeatedly pinged around the scrum and ruck. Running back through the passing lane on 29 minutes summed up a performance riddled with penalties before being hooked at the break.
3. Dorian Aldegheri – 4
Had a torrid time with Pierre Schoeman and never seemed to get a read on Gardner’s interpretation at scrum time. The pressure mounted as the half wore on and Scotland’s loosehead increasingly got the better of him.
4. Charles Ollivon – 6
Soared in the air like a French gazelle early on and almost managed to get underneath Schoeman for the Scot’s try. Worked hard as always and tried to bring some calm to a pack that was beginning to fray.
5. Mickael Guillard – 5
Showed some athleticism in the lineout early doors but struggled to impose himself physically as Scotland gained the upper hand. Replaced early in the second half as France searched for answers.
6. Francois Cros – 6
At times, he looked like a cruise missile in defence, flying out of the line to crunch anything in blue. Yet even Cros wasn’t immune from the brain fog that crept into France’s game, grabbing Russell at a ruck and conceding a needless penalty.
7. Oscar Jegou – 5.5
Tackled with the energy of a meth-head on the opening day of a three-day bender, charging around the pitch with ferocious intensity. But discipline issues cost France dearly, most notably when recklessly taking out Ben White, which allowed Scotland to strike soon after.
8. Anthony Jelonch – 6
Produced a big early carry that slammed into the Scottish brick wall and kept grafting through the opening exchanges. Forced off for a head injury assessment early in the second half, which disrupted France further.
Ratings continue below…
9. Antoine Dupont – 5
A true game of two halves. His steal in contact on Sione Tuipulotu before Louis Bielle-Biarrey’s first try was pure genius and a reminder why he remains the best player in the world. But the second half was riddled with brainrot errors, including a pass straight to Kyle Steyn and a forward pass behind his own goal line after carrying it over, that will haunt the highlights reel. Grabbed a late try, but it could not disguise the chaos that had unfolded.
10. Matthieu Jalibert – 4
Tried desperately to spark something, including a neat grubber that almost released Attissogbe early on. Yet the pressure mounted and decision-making began to wobble as Scotland tightened the screw. His yellow card didn’t help France’s cause.
11. Louis Bielle-Biarrey – 6
Looked a little shaken in the frantic opening stages as Scotland harried France relentlessly. Yet when the opportunity came, he showed his class, finishing superbly in the corner after Dupont’s moment of magic. His duel with Darcy Graham was pure box office throughout.
12. Yoram Moefana – 3
Selected for his defensive solidity, but it never materialised. Missed a one-on-one tackle on Huw Jones early and finished the day with seven misses, a brutal stat in a game where Scotland constantly probed the midfield. May well never play for France again, knowing Gatlhie.
13. Nicolas Depoortere – 4
A quiet and largely ineffective outing. Managed just three metres from two carries in the first half and missed a pair of tackles before being replaced early in the second period.
14. Theo Attissogbe – 5
A mixed bag. Knocked on early under pressure and later delivered a poor pass that might have sent Bielle-Biarrey clear. Did well to gather the kick for his try and made a sharp take after the break, but overall a difficult afternoon.
15. Thomas Ramos – 6
An uncharacteristic spill under the high ball inside the opening three minutes set the tone for a nervy start. To his credit, he responded well, bursting through to help create France’s first try and later putting Bielle-Biarrey into space. But the defensive chaos around him proved impossible to manage. A late try put some respect on the scoreboard.
Replacements
16. Peato Mauvaka – 5.5
A physical presence off the bench and immediately more effective than Marchand had been. Carried with intent and added some much-needed edge.
17. Rodrigue Neti – 6
Threw himself into the defensive effort with some thunderous hits as Scotland poured forward. A desperate cameo in difficult circumstances.
18. Demba Bamba – 6
Made an immediate impression with a big bounce off a Scotland defender that briefly lifted French spirits.
19. Thibaud Flament – 4.5
Struggled to make much of an impact after coming on. France needed energy and control, but his presence barely registered.
20. Emmanuel Meafou – 4
Showed soft hands with one neat touch, but then undid the good work by conceding a penalty almost immediately for entering from the side. A moment of pure brain-rot in a match already slipping away.
21. Lenni Nouchi – 5
Thrown into the fray early and later picked up a yellow card as Scotland continued to pile on the pressure.
22. Baptiste Serin – 7
Entered during the closing stages with France chasing shadows. Showed a cool head to score the try that handed France a crucial bonus point.
23. Pierre-Louis Barassi – 4
Managed to miss four tackles in just over half an hour, which neatly summed up France’s defensive malaise.
