Scots bitter after being denied a late try against France

The end of the match between Scotland and France (16-20) was marked by a try denied to XV du Chardon in the final seconds. A difficult decision for the Scottish side to digest. Even if the local media refuses to cry scandal.

A miracle in Scotland. Still recovering, a week after taking water at home against XV du Trefle (38-17), the French team fought hard to win in Edinburgh (20-16) on Saturday during the second day of the VI Nations tournament. . The Blues had to fight back fiercely in the last five minutes to achieve this breakthrough, with a try disallowed after video refereeing, allowing them to get back on track. In the final seconds, Sam Skinner believed he had given his team a decisive advantage. But referee Nick Berry, after a lengthy exchange with his video assistant, ultimately disallowed the try, considering the ball had not gone flat in the French in-goal. A decision that is inevitably difficult for the Scottish side to digest.

“France came away with the victory this evening, but for me, there was a try at the end. It’s not for me to make that decision, it’s the referee’s job, it’s his job”, the co-captain and former player reacted. Racing 92’s fly-half, Finn Russell. Without pressuring the referee: “We don’t let the referee decide the outcome of the match, it’s up to us to play better and win these matches.” Scottish coach Gregor Townsend also had little difficulty hiding his disappointment. “I don’t understand (the referee’s) logic. When you look at the pictures… I feel sorry for the players. We played very well, we went down and came back. It was a big win for our team. The fans, but it’s our stripped from. We thought there was a try. But it’s a game, we know that and we have to be better,” he said.

The Scottish media does not scream scandal

Some were less careful to express their anger. Chris Patterson, the top scorer in Scottish rugby history (809 points), said he was “shocked” by the referee’s decision, while Scottish MP Jamie Halcrow Johnston commented on social networks: “A terrible decision. Scotland robbed. What’s the point. If you Have a video if you don’t believe what you see? There was an attempt.”

Overall, the Scottish media is less bitter. There is no question for them to cry foul, even though many know that it will take some time to digest the fallout of this piece. “When Ramos made it 20-16 for France, the hold-up was on. Skinner then swung the match in Scotland’s favour, but he couldn’t… He had a crucial try, but he didn’t make it. . . . The ball was flat on the ground. But, obviously, he wasn’t…”, sums up BBC Head of Sports Tom English.

For their part, The Daily Record and The Scotsman both talk about the “controversial defeat”, without trying to add to it, with their eyes already on XV du Chardon’s next meeting. He will play against England at Murrayfield on February 24. The Blues host Italy the following day.

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