EDINBURGH: France have gone back to the future by ending Lionel Beauxis’s long spell in the international wilderness as they look to kickstart a revival against Scotland at Murrayfield on Sunday. France coach Jacques Brunel is banking on the experience of Beauxis – particularly the Lyon playmaker’s tactical kicking in what are expected to be damp conditions — to help end Les Bleus’ 11-month wait for a win. Beauxis, who inspired France to their shock 2007 World Cup quarter-final victory against New Zealand, confessed: “It feels like my first cap. Brunel, who has also drafted in centre Geoffrey Doumayrou and No 8 Marco Tauleigne, guided Italy to a 22-19 victory against Scotland at Murrayfield in 2015. Townsend, who was a similarly maverick stand-off in his own 82-cap international career, hopes the seasoned Laidlaw will have a steadying influence.

Source: Pakistan Today February 10, 2018 10:18 UTC