Key battles: France v Scotland

By James Standley

France went into the match as strong favourites but in the end they were lucky to come away with victory.

They had more strength in depth than the Scots, but the visitors won a couple of the key battles before finally running out of steam.

France eventually stuttered to a 16-9 win in Paris thanks to Damien Traille's late try.



Match report: France 16-9 Scotland

YANN DELAIGUE v DAN PARKS - FLY-HALF

For the first 40 minutes there was no doubt about who was winning the battle of the fly-halves.

Parks had been picked to pin France back with his tactical kicking - and he did just that while Delaigue missed two kickable penalties.

The Frenchman seemed as out of sorts as the rest of his team-mates.

But he improved after the break, his sleight of hand causing the Scots one or two problems.

He even landed two penalties and a drop goal to get them on level terms as he finally edged the battle of the fly-halves.

PIERRE MIGNONI v CHRIS CUSITER - SCRUM-HALF

Cusiter went into the match as a star in the making and ended it as the real deal, walking away with the man of the match award - unusual for a player in a beaten team.

He was a constant threat and was at the heart of most of Scotland's best moments.

He coped well with a retreating Scottish scrum, his pass was fast and accurate, and his sniping around the fringes of the highest class.

By contrast, Mignoni was largely anonymous and does not look set for a long stay in the France number nine shirt.

Cusiter comfortably got the upper hand.

FABIEN PELOUS v SCOTT MURRAY - SECOND ROW

In common with his team-mates, France captain Pelous was well off the pace in the first half and conceded the penalty which put Scotland 6-0 up.

Both he and Murray are lineout experts, so they had a great battle, which eventually ended even.

Around the park, Pelous was more noticeable with ball in hand than Murray.

But whereas Murray made few mistakes, Pelous committed a couple of howlers in the second half that stalled the French momentum as they tried to fight back. Honours even.

SEBASTIEN CHABAL v JASON WHITE - BACK ROW

This clash of the hard-hitting Sale back rowers was always going to be a highlight - and so it proved with both men among the best players on the pitch.

White was probably the star of the first half, with one hit on Brian Liebenberg nearly cutting the France centre in half.

White also produced a couple of mighty drives with the ball in hand, which Chabal matched after the break.

The Frenchman was instrumental in getting the French on the front foot but White just edged their personal battle with his awesome effort for Scotland.