The fly-half slotted a three-pointer against Scotland
Matthieu Jalibert scores rare drop-goal for France in victory over Scotland
France exorcised the demons of their Six Nations loss at Murrayfield by defeating Scotland 22-15 in the Autumn Nations Cup.
The visitors had the edge through forward grunt, set-piece power and one breakthrough try for Virimi Vakatawa on the other side of half-time. But Scotland still managed to keep in touch and could even have fought back in the end for a draw, had a late penalty kick from captain Stuart Hogg gone into touch rather than heading into the dead-ball area.
French discipline was not where they will have wanted it either. However, a win’s a win for all that.
And we saw a rare drop-goal for France!
Both teams have been quite efficient in the 22 so far. Really like this option from Jalibert off slow ruck ball.#SCOvFRA pic.twitter.com/PFn927DWIe
— EK Rugby Analysis (@ek_rugby) November 22, 2020
This show of composure was impressive from the fly-half, brought in to start with Romain Ntamack out.
As you will see below, a drop-goal is all too rare in the Test game these days (though it is worth noting that Moises Duque slotted one for Brazil against Uruguay recently).
Matthieu Jalibert with the second international drop-goal of 2020, after Belgium’s Alan Williams.
— Elgan Evan Alderman (@WelshMinor) November 22, 2020
France fans will be delighted with the maturity shown by their playmakers. In fact, while there was a lot of fanfare about the most recent Six Nations player of the tourament, Antoine Dupont, in this one he was happy to draw defenders onto him and let others exploit the space.
Check out this decisive move to get the telling try early in the second half.
Alldritt passing here key as it holds Watsons from drifting out, creates the extra man in the backline and space inside 10 with the Scottish winger dropping.
Dupont sells the wide play with the dummy loop and Fickou puts Rattez through.
Very clever from France.#SCOvFRA pic.twitter.com/cW5JZohVb1
— EK Rugby Analysis (@ek_rugby) November 22, 2020
Best French mauls since Les Galeries LaFayette
— Alan Dymock (@AlanDymock) November 22, 2020
France are now in the box seat in Pool B of the Autumn Nations Cup, and face Italy in France next week to end the pool stage. Win that and they are in line for a final with the top side in Pool A – a trip to Twickenham would be a gargantuan challenge and one to excite spectators.
As for Scotland, they already know they have a 28-0 result, with Fiji unable to compete due to a Coronavirus outbreak in their ranks.
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