France did little to strike the fear into Irish hearts today as they scraped a 16-6 win over Scotland at the Stade de France. On today’s evidence, Warren Gatland’s side are not the only ones who will have to find an extra gear for the inevitable rise in standard.
Philippe Bernat-Salles scored the only try in an absorbing if unspectacular contest 90 seconds after the break when he outpaced Kenny Logan down the right wing, then cut inside two Scottish tacklers to complete his run to the line.
At the time, Scotland were a man down after Martin Leslie received a yellow card from Australian referee Stuart Dickinson for a high tackle on Bernat-Salles on the stroke of half-time.
Despite enjoying most of the play at the opening and close of the game, Scotland were unable to break down formidable French defence and made too many errors in their anxiety.
However, the final margin of victory was flattering to France, who on this evidence are barely in the same league as the rampant English.
Twice in their last three visits to Paris, Scotland have emerged triumphant. Two years ago, they won an amazing contest 36-22 on their way to the final Five Nations title.
But having defended the trophy so abjectly last year, expectations were not great for an away trip to the second favourites.
Even those faint hopes were almost extinguished three minutes into the game when fly-half Gregor Townsend, so pivotal to Scottish chances in recent years, limped off with cartilage damage after almost burrowing his way over the line.
His replacement Duncan Hodge was the match-winner against England last year, so at least had the confidence of big-match performances under his belt and the Edinburgh Reivers stand-off fitted in almost seamlessly as the Scots maintained their spirited offensive opening.
Having declared before the game that they had the edge up front, France found themselves in trouble in midfield with John Leslie and Andy Nicol punching holes beyond the fringes of the rucks.
With a little more control, Scotland could have been in for a try.
Instead, they had to rely on two penalties from Logan, which were matched by Christophe Lamaison before half-time.
Both men also missed once, although Logan could argue that his contribution was more telling, given that he also saved what seemed a certain score.
Bernat-Salles was the man he prevented, with a superb wrap-around tackle which turned the French winger onto his back in one movement.
As the interval approached, it seemed as though Scotland were marginally on top - even more surprising given they had also lost lock Richard Metcalfe to a suspected dislocated finger.
However, Leslie's indiscretion changed the balance of the contest and France lifted themselves out of their malaise.
Bernat-Salles' try barely 90 seconds after the restart undid all Scotland's previous good work and the spark so evident in the visitors' early play was snuffed out.
Hodge did not help with a string of mistakes, including a failed penalty to touch and another missed to goal after he had been handed goalkicking responsibility by McGeechan after Logan's earlier miss.
John Leslie, who had run with such purpose before being forced off the field for stitches to a head wound, was suddenly hesitant, dropping the ball almost as soon as the French tacklers began their approach.
Given that Leslie now shouldered the entire responsibility for offensive wizardry, Scotland were temporarily without inspiration.
The combined arrival of Christian Califano, Abdel Benazzi and Serge Betsen hardly gladdened Scottish hearts and France continued to enjoy their best spell of the match.
Lamaison missed another penalty to let the visitors off the hook but with the game being played almost exclusively in Scottish territory, the visitors' attacking options were strictly limited.
With 15 minutes remaining, McGeechan went for broke and took off skipper Nicol, hooker Gordon Bulloch and centre James McLaren, the latter after what seemed an injury problem.
Bryan Redpath's crisper passing from the base of a scrum was supposed to galvanise the visitors but it was Logan's break from midfield which almost brought a try.
Chris Paterson took the ball on but did not have enough confidence in his own pass and despite racing to the brink of open space, flipped a pass inside to Jon Petrie, which the giant back-row spilled to the floor.
Olivier Magne was fortunate to escape with only a lecture after shoving Cammie Murray close to the Scottish line after play had been stopped.
However, when Paterson over-ran Murray as the Scots launched one last bid for glory, Dickinson ruled offside and Lamaison's third penalty ensured a home win. -PA-