Redpath: we failed to learn lessons

Scotland skipper Bryan Redpath lamented his side’s inability to learn from their mistakes as France became the latest team to put Ian McGeechan’s men to the sword in the 2003 RBS 6 Nations championship.

A record defeat to Ireland in their opening fixture was compounded by yesterday’s 38-3 mauling by the French, who equalled their highest-ever winning margin over Scotland.

Poor finishing hampered Scottish ambition at Murrayfield a week ago and once again they were punished for not taking their chances, this time by a rampant France who wracked-up four tries at their Paris stronghold.

It was not the ideal way for Redpath to mark his 50th cap and the Sale Sharks scrum-half admitted his side are struggling to compete with Europe’s big-guns.

“It’s very disappointing to lose a match in a similar way to last week when we were beaten by Ireland,” he said.

“We played well in parts and deserved to do better, but the fact is if you don’t take the opportunities that you create then you will be punished.

“At the moment we are not performing at a level which will see us compete with the likes of France, England and Ireland. It was a very sombre changing room after the game.”

A solitary penalty from Chris Paterson was all the Scots could muster, a poor return given that they opened up the French defence on several occasions.

Kenny Logan and Kevin Paterson squandered fine opportunities while several promising moves were hampered by errors at key moments.

If a lesson was needed in the art of finishing, then the Scots need only have looked at France, who gratefully took everything that came their way, showing the clinical edge so lacking in their opponents’ game.

Fabien Pelous, Clement Poitrenaud, Damien Traille and Aurelien Rougerie all crossed as the French made amends for their defeat by England at Twickenham last weekend.

And with fly-half Francois Gelez in immaculate form with the boot – he missed just one kick at goal and finished with 18 points – Scotland’s battered pride took another fearful blow.

Number eight Imanol Harinordoquy was another star performer, using his bulk to make in-roads into the visitors’ defence as France’s pack secured a steady stream of possession.

It was a fine display from the French, but Redpath believes his own side’s deficiencies were as much to blame for the result.

“France are a good side but we lost so much ball in the contact area, and then we conceded free-kicks and penalties which gave them a good platform to work from,” he said.

“We virtually gave them points in the first half thanks to our discipline - we gave them too many penalties in our half. Because of that we struggled.”