Chris Paterson scored three penalties for Scotland to take his Test points total up to 750, but the evergreen full-back was powerless to prevent the men from Alba from losing 9-18 to France at Murrayfield in the opening round of the 2010 RBS 6 Nations.

Hooker Ross Ford carried the ball well and his line-out throws were effective while stand-off Phil Godman ran some incisive lines before being replaced by former Edinburgh back Hugo Southwell in the second half.

Prop Allan Jacobsen came off the bench in the second half to win his 41st cap for Scotland. Remember you can watch top-class rugby at the home of Scottish Rugby when Wales' number one team, the Ospreys visit EH12 on Sunday 7 March, kick off 2pm. Former All Blacks star Jerry Collins will be on show for the away side, so experience the drama first hand as the Black and Red Army march towards the play-offs. Call 0131 346 5180 for tickets.

Meanwhile, Edinburgh captain Mike Blair played his first competitive match in three months as he led Scotland A against Ireland Wolfhounds at Ravenhill.

Unfortunately the home side ran out 34-19 victors, but the Edinburgh contingent produced positive performances.

Big Jim Hamilton battled ferociously in the second row, livewire back row forward Roddy Grant made countless tackles and covered every blade of grass while the centre pairing of Nick De Luca and Ben Cairns were also effective.

Jim Thompson scored a conversion while Mark Robertson scored the most memorable try of the evening.

John Houston, Scott MacLeod, Andrew Kelly, Kyle Traynor, Craig Hamilton and Greig Laidlaw also all featured in Belfast while Fraser McKenzie made his Scotland A debut.