Scotland coach Gregor Townsend desires his aspect to be extra medical within the opponent’s 22 and minimize out unforced errors forward of a crunch Six Nations conflict with table-toppers France in Paris subsequent Saturday.
Scotland defeated Wales 35-29 at Murrayfield to maneuver inside 5 factors of Six Nations leaders France, however after an excellent opening half during which they led 28-8 on the break, they allowed the guests to come back again into the competition with some sloppy play.
There was loads of Welsh grit on present, however Scotland additionally allowed their guests to remain within the recreation with poor ending and errors that led to turnovers, with the hosts conceding 13 within the recreation to Wales’ six.
“More than happy with the beginning of the sport and the way we continued all through the primary half. We did speak at half-time about constructing on that lead,” Townsend advised BBC.
“Generally it is troublesome. The opposition, who’re a top quality group, can get issues proper. They received extra ball within the second half. Generally adjustments from the bench aren’t easy.
“We’re disenchanted with not scoring after we had a few probabilities within the final 5 minutes, and conceding these tries.”
Scotland will face a mighty problem in opposition to a buoyant French aspect that thumped champions Eire 42-27 in Dublin earlier on Saturday, even when that defeat seems to have come at a value with scrumhalf Antoine Dupont struggling a knee damage.
“We have got to verify we do not give them [France] momentum, any straightforward alternatives to get on the ball,” Townsend mentioned of the sport in Paris.
“They’re so harmful off the counter-attack, or in the event you make an error, they often rating on the again of it. They’re very sturdy within the forwards with their pick-and-go recreation and set piece.
“They have been excellent in each recreation thus far within the Six Nations. It is our greatest problem. With the learnings we have had this yr and the way we performed to start out that recreation, we will actually give it a crack subsequent week.”
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Scotland finish 9-game dropping streak vs. Wales
Relive three basic Six Nations video games between Scotland and Wales forward of their conflict at Murrayfield this weekend.
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– Lions watch: Is Sam Prendergast pushing Finn Russell at No. 10?
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– WATCH: Relive a few of Six Nations’ basic video games
– Six Nations and Ladies’s Six Nations: Full fixture record
– British & Irish Lions 2025: Australia tour fixtures