France will require a “totally different approach” to Ireland as Scotland seek to build on their successful start to the 2017 RBS 6 Nations in Paris next week, says Vern Cotter
In the wake of the 27-22 victory over Ireland – which the head coach described as the best victory under his watch – Scotland head to the Stade de France with an extra day’s rest and potentially a completely clean bill of health to take on a French side that looked to have improved but still lost to England at Twickenham.
But the gameplan that surprised the Irish will need adjustment to counter the French, said the coach.
“There has to be some confidence built from this and it’s nice to be able to on go from the first game with a win,” he said. “The challenge for us to make sure we get into a good analysis and be honest as to how we can improve.
“France will offer a different style. Ireland threw a couple of offloads in the first half, France will probably start the game with offloads, so our defensive effort will be different, and they will present different set plays.
“Our scrum was under pressure and we have to solve that quickly, they’ll have seen that. But at least we have a positive couple of days to look over the game.”
Cotter regarded the turning point of the game when Scotland realised that Ireland’s effort to get ahead in the second half had exhausted them.
“We looked like we were losing energy for a while and they were upping their ante, coming at us hard and aggressive,” he said.
“But sooner or later they would fade and we hung in there just long enough. We had lost purchase in the game and were slipping but managed to get it back, dug in and got the win.
“It shows if you believe in what you’re doing, weather those storms, don’t change your philosophy, you can do enough at the end to win it.
“It helps us validate all the things we’ve been discussing these past weeks and move them forward.”
Cotter was adamant it was a team effort but described skipper Greig Laidlaw’s role as crucial.
“Greig has been massive with his leadership and kicking those goals, he’s had a huge role in that game,” continued the coach, adding that he was happy his young props had responded to early setpiece difficulties.
“The scrum was an issue, but we saw there were a couple of thing to fix and it went better. We solved that, and it’s part of the apprenticeship of those guys they can refer to later.”
Scotland’s injury list was minor for such a physical and intense match. Finn Russell will complete the Head Injury Assessment process this morning having past a test during the match and again after the game.
Fraser Brown suffered an eye contusion that meant he had to leave the field for good after just 25 minutes but the problem has been resolved already.
There are a number of minor knocks but none are considered an immediate concern by Dr James Robson and his medical team.
