Reflection: Andy Robinson on taking chances
"Our young lads have learnt a lot today" acknowledged Andy Robinson, the Scotland coach, in response to questions about the obvious weakness of the Scottish front row against France. Tacitly acknowledging the absence of Euan Murray (who made himself unavailable for selection because the game was on Sunday) he added, "We respect the French scrum. But what I saw when we got the hit right, we had some powerful scrums. But we’ve got to get the consistency."
But the real difference between the teams, according to Scotland coach Andy Robinson, was that the French took their chances and Scotland didn't.
"We had various opportunities but we didn't hold on to the ball – particularly in the first half. We needed to control the scoreboard and we were unable to do that that through turning over possession inside our own half in that first 30 minutes, " he said.
"That wasn't just in the contact area. The ball was being knocked out of our hands on four or five occasions. We have to improve on looking after the ball. But also I thought the French scramble defence particularly through Harinordoquy was outstanding."
Earlier the French coach Marc Lievremont, acknowledged that Scotland were "brave and enterprising" and said that he could see definite improvements since he was last at Murrayfield. "But I think the French team is better too" he added.
It was an assessment that Robinson could only acknowledge. "The French played very well. There is a real balance to their game. They have a great defence scrambling across when we got in behind them, their scrum and line-out are very good. When you're get that kind of confidence and you give them the ball you make it very difficult for yourself."
But he recognised some good points, saying he was pleased with the play of the loose forwards singling out John Barclay and Sean Lamont as players who can make a break. He promised that a lot of work in the coming week before, the match against Wales, would focus on "respecting the ball" and making sure that it could not so easily be knocked out of Scotland's hands, sometimes not even in full-on contact situations.
