Steyn double not enough as France edge Scotland in another thriller
REPORT: A late Thomas Ramos penalty helped France edge Scotland 30-27 in their World Cup warm-up match in Saint-Etienne on Saturday.
Seven tries were scored in the match with Scotland getting four of them in a thrilling encounter. Kyle Steyn was the star of the show for the visitors with two tries.
The home side had a comfortable 27-10 lead early in the second half before Scotland staged a fightback to level the scores with less than 10 minutes on the clock.
However, Ramos’ crucial penalty kick in the 79th minute secured the win for the hosts.
France fielded an almost full-strength team before the World Cup opener with three-time winners New Zealand on September 8 with Ntamack partnering captain Antoine Dupont at halfback.
Scotland started the better at a sold-out and vocal Stade Geoffroy-Guichard, the 42,000-capacity ground which will host four games at the World Cup.
The visitors led 10-6 after 22 minutes as Les Bleus’ Ramos kicked two penalties in response to Steyn’s try and Russell’s shots at goal.
Ramos kept his side in the game and they were 13-10 in front at the break as Dupont set up Romain Ntamack to score after continued pressure.
Their dominance continued after the break as wing Damian Penaud and flanker Charles Ollivon’s tries gave them a 17-point lead.
Ten minutes later Ntamack was substituted after Russell charged into him, a worrying sight for coach Fabien Galthie who will announce his World Cup squad on August 21.
After an hour, the advantage was cut to 27-15 as Duhan van der Merwe strolled over in the corner following a Huw Jones break but the Edinburgh flier soon left the field.
The lead was just 27-22 with 11 minutes remaining as Scotland flank Rory Darge, who kicked the ball out to end last weekend’s win over France in Edinburgh, bundled over to set up a tense finish.
With seven minutes remaining Steyn claimed his second try but Russell missed the conversion, which would have put Scotland back into the lead.
As France ventured into Scotland territory, referee Nic Berry penalised the away scrum and Ramos kicked a penalty with a little over 60 seconds to play.
Man of the match: Scotland’s Finn Russell produced a masterclass in the No.10 jersey with some great attacking play and good decision-making. Duhan van der Merwe and Kyle Steyn were constant threats out wide for the visitors. Steyn also scored two of his team’s five tries. However, the award goes to France scrumhalf Antoine Dupont, who played a role in all three of his team’s tries. He kept the Scottish defence on their toes with several sniping runs and just gave his team confidence when they were down on the scoreboard.
For France:
Tries: Ntamack, Penaud, Ollivon
Cons: Ramos 3
Pens: Ramos 3
For Scotland:
Tries: Steyn 2, Van der Merwe, Darge
Cons: Russell 2
Pen: Russell
Yellow card: Ali Price (Scotland, 28′ – cynical play, not retreating 10 metres after penalty)
Teams:
France: 15 Thomas Ramos, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Gael Fickou, 12 Jonathan Danty, 11 Gabin Villiere, 10 Romain Ntamack, 9 Antoine Dupont (captain), 8 Charles Ollivon, 7 Paul Boudehent, 6 Gregory Alldritt, 5 Thibaud Flament, 4 Cameron Woki, 3 Dorian Aldegheri, 2 Julien Marchand, 1 Cyril Baille.
Replacements: 16 Pierre Bourgarit, 17 Jean-Baptiste Gros, 18 Uini Atonio, 19 Florian Verhaeghe, 20 Bastien Chalureau, 21 Sekou Macalou, 22 Maxime Lucu, 23 Louis Bielle-Biarrey.
Scotland: 15 Blair Kinghorn, 14 Kyle Steyn, 13 Huw Jones, 12 Sione Tuipulotu, 11 Duhan van der Merwe, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Ali Price, 8 Jack Dempsey, 7 Rory Darge, 6 Jamie Ritchie (captain), 5 Grant Gilchrist, 4 Richie Gray, 3 WP Nel, 2 George Turner, 1 Pierre Schoeman.
Replacements: 16 Stuart McInally, 17 Rory Sutherland, 18 Javan Sebastian, 19 Scott Cummings, 20 Sam Skinner, 21 Josh Bayliss, 22 George Horner, 23 Ollie Smith.
Referee: Nic Berry (Australia)
Assistant Referees: Karl Dickson (England), Adam Leal (England)
TMO: Tom Foley (England)
Additional reporting: AFP
