Scotland U20s 29-30 France U20s: Scots fight back but lose out by point

AFTER the ecstasy of a Scotland Test win in Australia, the week finished with more agony for the Scotland Under-20 side after a late defeat to France in the IRB Junior World Championships yesterday.

The Scots had been blown away by Australia’s under-20 team on Monday, but they took to the field in an unusually wet and windy Cape Town yesterday after the young Wallabies had been shocked by Argentina, suffering as their Test side had in miserable southern hemisphere weather and ending on the wrong side of a 15-3 scoreline.

That meant a Scotland win could put them level with Australia and just three or four points behind Argentina with the final pool match against the Argentinians to come on Monday. This opened the door to a potential first semi-final spot and the Scots matched the spirit of their senior side with a great comeback at the end of both halves.

Coached in their last tournament by Peter Wright before he hands over to Sean Lineen, they seemed to be on course for a thrilling victory over the French after a try by Edinburgh academy winger Jamie Farndale with eight minutes remaining put them four points ahead.

It had been a topsy-turvy match up to that point. The French youngsters led early on with a try by Gael Fickou after just two minutes but a penalty try to Scotland a minute before the interval allowed Harry Leonard to nudge the Scots 16-15 in front at half-time. Leonard had kicked three penalties before then to keep Scotland in touch with a second Fickou try, and penalty by Elzo Selponi, the third French goal-kicker.

France took a 25-16 in the third quarter with another Selponi penalty and try by blindside flanker Julien Kazubek, converted by Selponi, but just as France threatened to run away with the game the Scots dug deep and defended well.

Captain Leonard kicked another penalty and then went over for a try with 16 minutes remaining. Farndale followed suit, but crucially Leonard could not convert either try which left the door open for the French, and they darted in to kill Scotland’s hopes with just three minutes left on the clock, replacement prop Sebastien Taofifenua touching down. France’s fourth kicker, Eric Escande, could not convert either, but it proved enough to claim victory.

Finishing the game with a good haul of 16 points and another fine captain’s lead, Leonard was inevitably ruing a missed penalty in the first half and two missed conversions, however, the French kickers missed the same number of points on a tricky day for kicking.

But that difference of one kick means France now have their eyes on a possible semi-final prize with Scotland needing to beat Argentina and hoping the French can defeat the highly-fancied Australians to avoid dropping into the basement battle for 10th-12th placings.

Wright commented: “I’m extremely proud of the guys and the way they have bounced back from the Australia result. They took France on physically today and scored two cracking tries. Their efforts were very brave.

“There is mixed feelings now though given we lost the game despite being in the lead with two minutes to go. However, a performance like this gives us confidence to take on Argentina.

“We just have to compete like we did today and we will have a chance.”

Scorers: Scotland U20s: Tries – Penalty, Leonard, Farndale; Pens – Leonard 3; Con – Leonard. France U20s: Tries Fickou 2, Kazubek, Taofifenua; Pens – Selponi 2; Cons – Otazo, Selponi.

Scotland U20: S Hidalgo-Clyne; J Farndale, M Bennett, F Russell, M Crawley; H Leonard (capt), M McConnell; R Hislop, G Turner, A Allan, S Smith, A Redmayne, G Graham, W Bordill, M Eadie. Subs: M Torrance for McConnell 31-35mins, T Steven for Crawley 48, J Swanson for Smith 56, F Scott for Turner 65, C Reid for Graham 66.

France U20: V Martin; B Fuster, G Fickou, J Danty, D Domvo; C Otazo, E Quiniou; F Fresia, j-C Fidinde, J Poirot, A Chaveau, P Gayraud, J Kazubek, J Lauge, K Galletier (capt). Subs: E Selponi for Otazo 32mins, J Aliouat for Gayraud 46, K Vartanov for Fresia 49, A Derrien for Kazubek 62, E Escande for Quiniou 66, S Taofifenua for Poirot, R Carbou for Fidinde, both 71.