France booked their place in the quarterfinals of the Rugby World Cup in Sydney on Saturday with a record-breaking 51-9 win over Pool B opponents Scotland at the Olympic Stadium.
The Six Nations heavyweights confirmed their status as genuine tournament contenders in an awesome five-try performance that a one-dimensional Scotland simply had no answer to.
The French points came through tries from Serge Betsen, Imanol Harinordoquy, flyhalf Frederic Michalak, skipper Fabien Galthie and fullback Nicolas Brusque.
Michalak, outstanding throughout, finished with a 28-point haul that also included four conversions, four penalties and a drop goal.
The victory margin bettered France’s previous biggest win over the Scots, a 51-16 triumph in Edinburgh five years ago.
The French now face a probable quarter-final against Ireland and on this evidence will have caused a ripple of fear among rivals England, New Zealand and Australia.
France put themselves in the driving seat in the closing stages of the first half after Scotland had started brightly, their loose forwards led by number eight Simon Taylor spoiling well to deny the French backs quick possession.
But the class of France’s back-row triumvirate told in the 33rd minute when veteran flanker Olivier Magne burst powerfully in midfield from the base of the scrum.
Magne offloaded to number eight Harinordoquy in support, who charged deep into the 22 before feeding flanker Betsen who went over near the posts for a well-worked try.
Michalak converted to put France 16-3 up and although Scotland wing Chris Paterson reduced arrears with his second penalty of the night the writing was on the wall.
Michalak almost put France out of sight soon after Betsen’s try, hacking forward after a fumble by Scotland flyhalf Gregor Townsend only to see his kick forward roll dead.
But Michalak, who had contributed nine points earlier in the half via two penalties and a drop goal, kicked another three pointer after handling in the ruck from hooker Gordon Bulloch to put France in control at 19-6.
France were on cruise control early in the second half and were rewarded with a drop-goal from fullback Brusque to make it 22-6.
As Scotland’s forwards tired France cut loose. From a line-out just inside the Scottish 22, Harinordoquy was driven over for Michalak to add the conversion and take the score to 29-6.
Bankrupt of attacking options — Townsend invariably reduced to kicking away possession that came his way — Scotland could only content themselves with a third penalty from Paterson.
But Michalak soon had Scotland in trouble again. A fabulous jink from close range took the 21-year-old past four Scottish tacklers and under the posts for a score.
An awesome scrum from France provided Galthie with the next try, scampering over in the corner virtually unopposed.
A further Michalak penalty took the score to 44-9 before a superb individual effort from Brusque — chipping ahead on the half-way line and gathering to beat the Scotland cover.
Michalak added a touchline conversion to complete the rout.
France now face an easy final pool game against the United States on Friday, while Scotland must beat Fiji to be sure of progressing into the knockout stage. — Sapa-AFP