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Match Report: Scotland U20 14-29 France U20

9 Feb 2024

Scotland fell short to a clinical French side, as Les Bleus ran out 29-14 winners in the second round of the U20 Six Nations at a lively Hive Stadium. Tries from Murdoch Lock and Jerri Blyth-Lafferty were not quite enough despite a spirited Scottish performance- particularly in the second half.

EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND - FEBRUARY 09: Scotland's Murdoch Lock scores a try during an Under-20's Six Nations match between Scotland and France at Hive Stadium, on February 09, 2024, in Edinburgh, Scotland. (Photo by Ewan Bootman / SNS Group)

After 13 minutes of relentless attack and defence, the French scored the first points. The ball was taken out of the ruck just before the Scotland 22 and passed out to fullback Xan Mousques on the wing who sprinted past defence and over the line. Axel Desperes made the conversion.

The French added their second try when the ball was gathered after a clearing kick. It was passed to wing Hoani Bosmorin who darted through the defence, dodge a touch tackle and dived over the line. The kick was made by Axel Desperes.

A third for the French came when a line out close to the Scotland line let the visitors go in front of the maul and get scrumhalf Thomas Souverbie over the white wash.

After some injury time 30 seconds before half time that saw hooker Elliot Young leave the field, France got their fourth through a series of pick and goes that push Mathis Castro Ferreira over the line. Axel Desperes got the kick.

Half Time: Scotland U20 0-26 France U20

Scotland finally added their first try of the evening when France conceding a penalty for being offside and Murdoch Lock took a quick tap and go to sprint past the unaware French defence and dive straight under the sticks. Isaac Coates’ kick was good from close range.

A successful Scotland line out close to the French line let the hosts form into a heavy driving maul but France’s Sialevailea Tolofua was shown a yellow for collapsing the maul and sent to the sin bin. The Scots profited off of this and replacement hooker Jerry Blyth-Lafferty crashed over the line for their second try. Isaac Coates made the extras.

A penalty awarded to France for Scotland not rolling let them take the kick and add another three points through Desperes.

Those three points would prove to be the last score of the game as France were able to withstand all the Scots had left to claim the bonus-point win at the Hive.

Full time: Scotland U20 14-29 France U20

Player of the Match: Mathis Castro-Ferreira (France U20)

Scotland: 15. Fergus Watson 14. Kerr Johnston 13. Geordie Gwynn (VC) 12. Kerr Yule 11. Amena Caqusau 10. Isaac Coates 9. Murdoch Lock 1. Robbie Deans 2. Elliot Young 3. Callum Norrie 4. Theo Currie 5. Ruaraidh Hart (VC) 6. Liam McConnell (C) 7. Freddy Douglas 8. Jonny Morris

Replacements: 16. Jerry Blyth-Lafferty 17. Callum Smyth 18. Ryan Whitefield 19. Ryan Burke 20. Monroe Job 21. Jonny Morris 22. Eric Davey 23. Jack Hocking

France: 15. Xan Mousques 14. Maxence Biasotto 13. Fabien Brau Boirie 12. Robin Taccola 11. Hoani Bosmorin 10. Axel Desperes 9. Thomas Souverbie 1. Zinedine Aouad 2. Leo Chauvin 3. Zaccharie Affane 4. Corentin Mézou 5. Antonin Corso 6. Patrick Tuifua 7. Joé Quere Karaba 8. Mathis Castro-Ferreira (C)

Replacements: 16. Lyam Akrab 17. Leo Ametlla 18. Adam-Mountaga Bouare 19. Charly Gambini 20. Sialevailea Tolofua 21. Lucas Zamora 22. Jean Cotarmanac’h 23. Simeli Daunivucu