Harinordoquy expects stern Scotland test
Les Bleus travel to Edinburgh having beaten Italy 30-12 before their match with Ireland was postponed and face a Scotland side seeking to avoid a fifth straight loss for the first time since 2004.
Scotland impressed in narrow defeats to England and Wales and Harinordoquy predicts France may be required to spend long periods in defence tomorrow.
“Maybe the Scots frighten us offensively as the Irish scare us defensively. There are not many teams who are able to do that, hold the ball for four, five minutes.
“They move the ball quickly and move around a lot. It’s still easier to have the ball than to defend. It takes a lot of energy (to defend) and we need to take the game by the throat and not let them advance down the field. Then it’s up to us.”
France travel to Edinburgh with head coach Philippe Saint-Andre having named the same starting XV and replacements’ bench which had been due to play Ireland on February 11. Biarritz back-row Harinordoquy was included as one of four changes, having started on the bench for the win over Italy. Harinordoquy, one of the world’s leading line-out forwards, was included in place of Julien Bonnaire, with all four changes made in the pack.
In the front row, Jean-Baptiste Poux comes in for Vincent Debaty at prop while hooker Dimitri Szarzewski replaces William Servat.
In the second row, Yoann Maestri has been given the nod ahead of Lionel Nallet and will make his first Test start. Morgan Parra retained the scrum-half jersey, with Dimitri Yachvili (back) still out.
Despite recent results suggesting otherwise, Harinordoquy believes Scotland have been improving under Andy Robinson.
“This is a team that progresses from year to year,” he said. “It is more mobile and more powerful than before and then they can keep the ball better today. It’s really the team that you distrust.’’
Meanwhile, Graeme Morrison is convinced Scotland’s heavyweight midfield can deliver. He said: “The backs in world rugby aren’t getting any smaller. Myself and Sean aren’t the smallest two, but neither are the French. It’s going to be an exciting competition and one I’m looking forward to.’’
SCOTLAND: S Hogg; R Lamont , S Lamont, G Morrison, L Jones; G Laidlaw (Edinburgh), M Blair; A Jacobsen, R Ford (capt), G Cross, R Gray), J Hamilton, J Barclay, R Rennie, D Denton.
Replacements: S Lawson, E Kalman, A Kellock, R Vernon, C Cusiter, D Weir, N De Luca).
FRANCE:M Medard); V Clerc , A Rougerie, W Fofana), J Malzieu; F Trinh-Duc), M Parra; J-B Poux, D Szarzewski, N Mas, P Pape, Y Maestri, T Dusautoi , (capt), I Harinordoquy, L Picamoles.
Replacements: W Servat, V Debaty, L Nallet, J Bonnaire), J Dupuy, L Beauxis, M Mermoz).
Referee: W Barnes (England).
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