Prop Zander Fagerson’s chances of being on the World Cup plane hang in the balance having become the first player to see a yellow card upgraded to red by the new off-the-field review system.
Fagerson is now sweating on a potential lengthy ban just before the squad is named for the campaign in France. He was shown a yellow card by referee Ben O’Keeffe in the 55th minute for recklessly smashing into the face of hooker Pierre Bourgarit with his own head and shoulder.
Townsend also has concerns over scrum-half Ben White who sustained an ankle injury and limped away from Murrayfield with a protective boot on his left foot and faces a battle to be fit for the opener against South Africa on Sept 10.
Townsend will be worried by the first half display against a young and inexperienced French outfit which left Scotland trailing 21-3 at the break. But he will be lifted by the spirit shown by his side – which resembled the majority of those expected to start the World Cup – as they completed a record second half fightback win.
Townsend insisted: “It was a ruck clear by Zander and he needs to be more accurate. For us it was a rugby incident but he needs to ensure he gets underneath his opponent. It’s fine margins but he has to do better.
England can find a little bit of cheer
SO HERE we are on the final day of England’s autumn international series with all of us hoping and expecting Steve Borthwick’s team to win today after three weeks of bitter disappointment.
Stop messing with Marcus - Campese
DAVID Campese believes England are going backwards under Steve Borthwick, who is ‘messing around’ with talisman Marcus Smith.
Being a Lion was the highlight of my career
I PLAYED 19 games and scored 219 points for the Lions, on the tours to South Africa in 1968 and New Zealand in 1971, but I never played in a Test and that was fair enough.
Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half
THERE appear to be few signs of second season syndrome at Westcombe Park as captain Nick Cook reveals the group aren’t even contemplating the threat of relegation and are instead targeting a top-half finish.
Forwards pack a punch for the Reds
OLD Redcliffians produced a proud defensive effort to take a bonus-point win.
Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley
SEDGLEY Park No. 8 Tom Ailes says his team relish the competitive nature of National One and is confident the Tigers can rectify their rocky start to the season in weeks to come.
Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon
FRASER Strachan is determined to put Ampthill’s leaky defensive showings behind them and gain some much needed confidence in the run up to Christmas.
It's a whole new ball game for Rigg
WILL Rigg’s ambition was to become a professional cricketer but it is the oval ball rather than The Oval that is his driver now.
Scarratt leads the way for Lightning
LOUGHBOROUGH won a wet and windy East Midlands Derby after having the bonus point in the bag by half-time.
Becconsall: We need to release pressure
WILL Becconsall says Exeter are not spooked by the threat of relegation as they look to turn around their Premiership campaign after starting with six straight defeats.
