Will Scotland cope with a measure of expectation after the three tries in France? The Guardian's Paul Rees investigates.
"It would have been tempting for the Scotland coach, Andy Robinson, to seek solace in defeat in Paris on Saturday evening. His side had scored three tries, as many as they managed in the whole of last season's Six Nations, and they rattled the defending champions despite a retreating scrum.
"Instead, he saw the 80 minutes as an opportunity lost, pointing out that France's four tries came after Scotland had been turned over. Look after the ball, was the message, and the result will look after itself. Robinson does not do excuses: never mind that Scotland had lost on the opening weekend for 10 of the previous 11 campaigns or that their recent record in Paris was no better, he was not going to provide a cloak for his players to hide behind.
"Robinson was a brave choice by the Scottish Rugby Union because of his nationality and the belittling way he was treated by England. He had resuscitated his career at Edinburgh after being sacked by England at the end of 2006, but if there was a perceived danger the Scots would quickly turn on a red-rose reject if results and performances did not improve, it did not materialise."
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