Internationals 1997

Match Notes

French referee Thierry Alibert was at the centre of controversy, after awarding a try to France, that cruelly snatched the victory away from Scotland. He allowed Arnaud Dulac to score the match winning try, with just seconds remaining on the game clock, after a most blatant knock-on. Referees' Director Greg McCallum, who was at the game, said, "An obvious error took place which changed the outcome of the game. The touch judge clearly indicated an infringement, but in a moment of excitement, the referee decided to go with his own instincts. The guy's distraught about it and realises that he has made a mistake."

Scotland had the better of the early exchanges, but failed to convert this into any points and it was France who were first on the scoreboard when Frederic Banquet went over, under the posts in the 17th minute, after an Arnaud Dulac break down the right wing. Scotland hit back almost immediately, with two tries, form Danny Russell and Gary Christie, but right on the stroke of halftime, substitute Jerome Guisset scored, to give the French a 12-10 lead at the break.

When Fabien Devecchi went over, just after the re-start, to extend the French lead to 18-10, they seemed to be taking control, but the Scots were not finished. First Stuart McCarthy crossed and then, with just ten minutes to go, Matt Crowther also went over and put Scotland 20-18 in front. Then came Dulac's dubious try, which gave the French the victory at 22-20.

Scotland's coach George Fairbairn said after the game, "The guys are all gutted about it and I am gutted for them. They had come back so well after a mediocre first half. The way the guys played for each other, after only getting together for the first time yesterday, was really impressive." The history books will show this as a win for France, but the moral victory was certainly with Scotland.