If Jim Telfer has one regret over Scotland’s breathtaking brilliance against France in 1999, it is going back to work on the Monday morning. “If you wanted to finish your coaching career on a high, that was the day to do it. It’s the kind of game to finish on.” Considering Scotland have not won in Paris since, it is easy to understand his point.
Though, as Telfer says, there have been some near misses – on their past three visits they have lost by a score or less – and the thrilling victory against Ireland last week demonstrated a rare ability to get over the finishing line. Suffice it to say that as a result the Flower of Scotland is in bloom. There is a growing sense that the stars have aligned for Vern Cotter’s side and they can emulate Telfer’s 1999 side with victory on Sunday.
“It shouldn’t be daunting for our boys. They should be used to playing France, they are big-time players now and they go with fair bit of confidence,” Telfer says. “If we’re close to the French with 10 minutes to go we have nothing to worry about because the crowd will be getting on to the French and they were not very effective in the last five or 10 minutes against England. But it’ll be even more difficult than playing Ireland.”
Every two years it is a certainty that when facing France, comparisons will be made with the existing Scotland side and that of 1999, their last to win the Championship in its final year as the Five Nations. Back then, Gregor Townsend was in his prime with Gary Armstrong inside him and John Leslie and Alan Tait outside. It is not hard to see similarities with Stuart Hogg’s fleetness of foot or Finn Russell, quiet against Ireland but ever-improving under Townsend at Glasgow.
“The team at the moment has the potential to be as good if not better than the 1999 side,” Telfer says. “I think we had more individual quality players in vital positions although you could not really say that Stuart Hogg would not get in either team. But if you look at the back line in 1999, that three-quarter line, this team is not there yet. And if you look at the forwards, there’s still a bit to go but they will get better in time.
“Hamish Watson was outstanding [against Ireland] for a guy who is supposed to not be good enough. Richie Gray played very well as well. [Zander] Fagerson is a young fella who’ll come on very well. But it was the collective effort of not wanting to lose and then with Greig Laidlaw kicking the goals, if you have someone like that, a bit like Jonny Wilkinson was, then you always have a chance.”
Dark horses is a tag Scotland are often labelled with at this time of year but win in France then see off Wales back at Murrayfield and they will head to Twickenham – as we know, not Telfer’s favourite place – as thoroughbreds.
It does make you feel for Cotter, who departs at the Championship’s conclusion, even if Townsend’s appointment makes obvious sense.
Telfer says: “Ireland didn’t overpower us and what impressed me was the defensive collectively. It’s a lot to do with a lot of the players playing for Glasgow week-in, week-out.”
And the secret to defeating France at the Stade de France? Telfer’s side conceded a try in the opening minute but Thomas Castaignède was injured in the buildup and Scotland had five of their own by half-time before running out 36‑22 winners.
“We were lucky in that Castaignède was injured in the very first two or three minutes,” Telfer said. “It seemed to spur us on, thinking that their best player was injured and wouldn’t be coming back on again. Things just seemed to fit into place. We were a team that liked to play on the top of the ground. It was a lovely day in Paris and things just clicked that day.
“Gregor was at his attacking best at that time. There was always a slight doubt about Gregor’s ability to run a game properly and his kicking probably wasn’t as good as someone like Craig Chalmers, but his attacking flair ... he was outstanding.”
While that victory turned out to be enough to clinch the title, pipping England to the post was still a long shot. Clive Woodward’s side were away to Wales the following day but with the Millennium Stadium under construction, it was staged at Wembley. England were confident – perhaps a little overly so – but Scott Gibbs’s last-gasp try, converted by Neil Jenkins, handed Scotland the title.
“I remember being at home, watching on the TV and I thought there’s no way Jenkins was going to miss the conversion,” Telfer said.
“After that the phone never stopped ringing. It was a bit of a fluke but we had played a game that deserved to win a Championship. We had scored five tries and looked really sharp. I just hope we’re as a sharp on Sunday.”
