Lionel Beauxis broke the century mark in Test points on Saturday as France bounced back from last week’s defeat by Ireland to beat Scotland 22-13 in the Six Nations.
Beauxis contributed 17 points in a tight match, while Fulgence Ouedraogo and former boy band member Thom Evans scored their first ever international tries, although the Frenchman’s effort looked to be the product of a forward pass.
The Scots camped in the French half for the opening 10 minutes, but were unable to convert possession into points.
However, it was the hosts who had the first opportunity of putting points on the board in the 13th minute when referee George Clancy awarded them a penalty, but Beauxis sent it wide of the posts.
Beauxis eventually gave France the lead in the 23rd minute when he slotted over a penalty.
The Scots leveled in the 35th minute when Phil Godman put over a beautifully taken penalty from wide out on the right after Cedric Heymans was penalized by Clancy.
Beauxis had an opportunity to restore the three-point lead a minute later, but he failed to seize it and was rewarded with boos and whistles from the crowd.
However, he was back in favor in the 38th minute when he converted a penalty after John Barclay was judged to have made a high tackle.
The French came out with all guns blazing at the start of the second half and got their reward when Maxime Medard offloaded to Ouedrago, who crossed the line and Clancy awarded the try after picking himself up off the ground having been caught in the move. Beauxis converted to make it 13-3.
Scotland coach Frank Hadden was angry over the try decision.
“It was a forward pass. I have looked at it again, it was a forward pass,” Hadden said.
Godman converted a penalty in the 49th minute to take the visitors within a converted try of the French.
Beauxis added another three points for France after Benoit Baby was tackled high.
Beauxis converted another penalty just before the hour mark as Scotland started to become error prone.
Godman failed with a relatively easy penalty attempt shortly afterwards and the Scots also wasted a great opportunity when they had a throw in near the French try line, but Ross Ford failed to throw it in properly.
However, the Scots got themselves back into the match with 10 minutes remaining as Thom Evans took a beautiful pass from Godman and touched down. Chris Paterson converted.
But Beauxis put France safe with a penalty with eight minutes left.
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