France coach criticises referee after Scotland game

Reuters

BLOWING THE WHISTLE: France rugby coach Marc Lievremont has expressed his dissatisfaction the performance of the referee in his side's Six Nations win over Scotland.

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France coach Marc Lievremont accused Welsh referee Nigel Owens of denying his side an even bigger victory than their eventual Six Nations championship 18-9 win over Scotland at Murrayfield.

"I have to pay tribute to the courage of the Scots but the referee's leniency with them and his extrême severity with our team was one of the reasons why the score was not higher," Lievremont told reporters.

"I feel sad because it's a bit recurring. We can't forget that last year in Dublin, there were 13 penalties against us and two against Ireland," he added referring to France's 30-21 at Croke Park in a game also directed by Nigel Owens.

"We are going to polish up our report to Paddy O'Brien (head of the IRB's referee commission). Refereeing is a factor of the game we can't control but we'll still try to solve the problem."

The France coach said he was happy with the performance of his team against Scotland.

"We are satisfied, and I'll even say very satisfied, because of the win, of course which was essential but also because of our collective control of the game and of the commitment of all the players", he said.

"You can, of course, discuss the performance of the Scottish team and therefore the performance of our team but I have the feeling that a much improved Scotland has been defeated by a much improved French team."

Media manager Lionel Rossigneux said wings Aurelien Rougerie and Benjamin Fall and prop Luc Ducalcon would have fitness tests in Paris before Sunday morning's (NZ time) match against grand slam champions Ireland at the Stade de France.

Rossigneux said Rougerie, who injured himself when he tried to crash tackle flanker Kelly Brown, and who was replaced three minutes later by Vincent Clerc was the most serious of injury doubts. France's starting lineup will be named on Thursday morning (NZ time).

- Reuters