Murray counts cost of Scottish mistakes

Injured prop Euan Murray admitted Scotland were made to pay for basic errors as they crashed to their second RBS 6 Nations defeat in seven days.

Murray, who was badly missed in today’s 22-13 loss in France and last weekend’s comprehensive defeat to Wales, hailed an improved display but accepted there is more work in store for Frank Hadden’s men.

The Northampton star told BBC1: “There were a lot of positives to come out of it. I thought we played a lot better than last week.

“Still, there’s too many elementary errors.

“The boys played with a lot more confidence, a lot more expansively. Seeing guys like the Evans boys run about, John Barclay played very well; I think a lot of the boys played very well.

“But you make these mistakes and they cost you dearly.”

Scotland scored a late try through Thom Evans but were always struggling after Fulgence Ouedraogo touched down for France.

Lionel Beauxis kicked the home side’s other points, while Phil Godman and Chris Paterson combined with the boot for Scotland.

Murray added: “At the end, it was great to see a try and get within 10 points but still it’s too far.”