Scotland triumph in midfield battle vs France
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Scotland pulled off an epic comeback of note at Murrayfield, to edge out France 25-21 in their second Rugby World Cup warm up fixture. The game was stellar battle between both midfields, as both sides looked to make adjusment before the trip to France in September.
It looked as though the Scotts were first to settle in the game striking first through a Finn Russel penalty in the opening five minutes. However, it was all France from there, particularly in their rampant midfield paring of Yoram Moefana and debutant Emilien Gailleton. The outside centre immediately showed his impact in the game, in the build-up to the opening try of the game that saw Baptiste Couilloud cross the line. Moefana though he had crossed the line a few minutes later, before being brought out by Duane van der Merwe. The pair were both having a good read of the game running excellent lines and finding themselves in good positions. That would pay off in the 24th minute as two dummy runs for from the centre pairing allowed Jalibert to find Bielle-Biarry for the games second try.
It was fairly quiet for the home sides centre pairing of Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones, as Scotland played more of a forwards game, while swing wide to the wings trying to stretch the French defense. Jones was strong on the defensive end, reading the French attack. Scotland would however end the half trailing 21-3.
It is indeed a game of two halves, as the Scotts came out guns blazing, particularily the midfield. It seemed as though the home side were beginning to implement their game plan as they began to stretch the French defense. This was largely due to full back Blair Kinghorn who played an immaculate attacking half joining the backline and finding both Tuipulotu and Jones at will. Tuiloptu was more efficient of the two centres with his defence, completing 6/6 tackles while Jones finished on 8/10. The Kinghorn effect on both centres kept the French midfield rather quiet in the second half, with Scotland securing a 25-21 win to make it 2/2 wins in their World Cup warm up fixtures.
French Centre Pairing Stats:
Yoram Mofana: 1-Offload(s), 10/13-Tackles, 41-Metres Gained, 3-Passes Completed,
1-Defender(s) Beaten.
Emillien Gailleton: 1-Offload(s), 9/11-Tackles, 25-Metres Gained, 4-Passes Completed.
Scotland Centre Pairing Stats:
Sione Tuipulotu: 6/6-Tackles, 30-Metres Gained, 8-Passes Completed, 1-Defender(s) Beaten
Huw Jones: 2-Offload(s), 8/10-Tackles, 36-Metres Gained, 3-Passes Completed.
