Please click on the link for a gallery of photos from the first round of the 2015 Six Nations . France limped to an unspectacular 15-8 victory over a spirited Scotland in the Six Nations on Saturday. The Scots continued their recent improvement under New Zealander coach Vern Cotter with a solid defensive display that frustrated the error-prone French. The visitors to the Stade de France in Paris even scored the only try of the match right on the stroke of half-time through Dougie Fife’s first international score in only his fourth match. Greig Laidlaw added a penalty while fly-half Camille Lopez scored all of the French points with the boot. But it was a disjointed and lacklustre performance from Philippe Saint-Andre’s side despite the occasional searing break. There was not enough variety in our game. Scotland played with a lot of spirit Philippe Saint-Andre Too many handling errors scuppered all their best work. The only fillip being that France maintained their 100 per cent record when wearing red – something they did for only the third time in their history. Saint-Andre, who is yet to win a Six Nations title since assuming the reins after the 2011 World Cup, was left far from satisfied with the victory. “We won,” the 47-year-old told the BBC. “However, we weren’t clinical enough especially when we had a one man advantage and didn’t score enough points when we had the chance. “There was not enough variety in our game. Scotland played with a lot of spirit. For the game with Ireland [on Saturday] we need to show a lot of improvement.” Earlier, Conor Murray and Tommy O’Donnell scored a try apiece and Ian Keatley kicked 14 points as champions Ireland launched the defence of their title with an uneven performance in a 26-3 win over Italy at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on Saturday. Ireland were shorn of several regulars who helped them secure last year’s title as they travelled to the Italian capital intent on making amends for their 22-15 defeat by the Italians two years ago. But any worries coach Joe Schmidt had about his young side were dispelled just after the hour mark when Murray then O’Donnell, a late replacement for Sean O’Brien after he suffered a twinge to his hamstring in the warm-up, touched down to put the match beyond the reach of the hosts. Schmidt admitted O’Brien’s absence had led to a “disjointed” first half but he was quick to praise the new faces in his side. “It’s the first small step for them,” said Schmidt. “They get a little bit of confidence from being involved in the pressure cooker that is the Six Nations.” Ireland captain Paul O’Connell gave a special mention to O’Donnell, who held off at least two Italian players on his way to an impressive try. “He’s incredible. For a guy like Tommy to come in at the last minute shows how incredibly well he prepares for games,” said O’Connell, who was winning his 97th cap. “He makes those big carries for his club and it’s great to see him doing it for Ireland.”
