Rugby: France Club XV 44-10 Scotland Club XV

Scotland’s hopes of making it two from two this season in the Club international series were dashed as France made their greater physicality count to out-muscle the Scots in last night’s match at Stade Pierre Rajon in Bourgoin.

Scorers: France: Tries: J Lavie, F Tao, S Bonvalot (2), A Frenet. Con: C Lowe. Drop goal: C Lowe. Pen: C Lowe. Scotland: Try: C Robertson. Con: L Millar. Pen: L Millar.

“France were a different class,” said Scotland coach, Phil Leck, adding: “We made far too many basic errors early on in the match and then had to fight our way back. But by then it was a bridge too far”.

The individual strength of the French players meant that Scotland turned over a lot of ball giving welcome possession to a France side eager to run the ball.

All the Scotland points came from Gala players, replacement Craig Robertson, who made an impact off the bench, scoring right at the end of the match and clubmate Lee Millar kicking the conversion to add to his earlier penalty goal.

The other Scotland players to impress were centres Max Learmonth and Dean Kelbrick but against such a physically strong French side, the Scots were on the back foot for much of the match.