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Captain Alastair Kellock lamented Scotland's costly losses of possession in the RBS 6 Nations opener against France - and head coach Andy Robinson warned Wales are as capable as Les Bleus of exploiting such lapses.

For the 11th time in 12 Six Nations tournaments Scotland suffered defeat on the opening weekend as defending Grand Slam champions France earned a 34-21 victory at the Stade de France last night.

Kellock scored his maiden Scotland try, but it was ultimately in vain as he suffered a first Test defeat as captain.

The Glasgow Warriors second row, who led Scotland to a 2-0 series success in Argentina last June, believes the tone of the match was set when Maxime Medard scored a third-minute try after France had seized possession in midfield.

Kellock said: "I was very pleased with the way we'd started. We'd gone out with the intention of attacking, straight from the kick-off we did reasonably well and then we were turned over out wide.

"It was probably the story of the game; when they did turn us over they were incredibly clinical.

"It's disappointing, but something we've got to deal with."

Scotland, whose solitary win on the tournament's opening weekend came in 2006 against France, must address it quickly as on Saturday Wales visit Murrayfield intent on ending an eight-match winless streak.

Robinson knows Wales, like France, have runners capable of capitalising on loose play.

The head coach said: "The Welsh are very good off counter attack and they score a lot of tries off counter attack, so if we give them that amount of ball, we'll be put under pressure.

"I think it's going to be a cracking game."

Scotland's bid for a first Six Nations win in Paris - they had two previous wins in 42 years, the most recent coming as part of the Five Nations Championship-winning campaign in 1999 - was made difficult from the start and the visitors were always chasing.

Following Medard's opener, Francois Trinh-Duc added a drop goal to establish a 10-0 lead.

Kellock burrowed over for his first Scotland try, but France hit back and the Scotland scrum disintegrated, with referee Wayne Barnes awarding a penalty try.

Tighthead prop Euan Murray appeared culpable and observers were left to wonder if the British and Irish Lion's lack of action was to blame.

Murray, who was substituted for Moray Low with 10 minutes remaining, moved from Northampton to Newcastle last month and had played twice for the Falcons prior to the Six Nations.

A factor in Saints' decision to allow Murray to move on was his refusal to play on Sundays for religious reasons and he will miss the matches with Ireland and England and may yet be replaced in next weekend's clash with Wales.

Kellock was unhappy with his side's performance in the scrum.

"It's not acceptable," said the skipper.

"If we're going to win games in this Six Nations, which we intend to do, we need to have a stable platform for our backs to attack off, so we have to sort it out."

Tries from Kelly Brown and Sean Lamont showed Scotland can still be a force to be reckoned with in the Six Nations and despite the loss of scrum-half Rory Lawson through injury at half-time they continued to attack their hosts.

However, each time Scotland - with second row Richie Gray outstanding throughout - responded, France stepped up a gear.

A sublime through-the-legs pass by Trinh-Duc set up Imanol Harinordoquy to race under the posts, while Damien Traille touched down after a jinking run by Medard.

France's fourth try earned them a 31-14 lead with 11 minutes remaining - effectively sealing the win.

Lamont then scored, but Dimitri Yachvili stroked over a late penalty to ensure victory.

France, confidence restored following the 59-16 November mauling to Australia, next go to Dublin to play Ireland, aware there is room for improvement.

Captain Thierry Dusautoir said: "There was very good team spirit. Of course there were some mistakes and some things we need to work on.

"We lost a few balls after making breakthroughs but the Scots also had a great game.

"It was a good start; we know what we need to work on for the next game."

Coach Marc Lievremont is likely to have to tinker with his back division once more, with centre Maxime Mermoz set to miss the Ireland match with a shoulder problem.

Labels: CALLS, KELLOCK, POSSESSION, Sportinglifecom