France just edged out Scotland in the Six Nations on Saturday afternoon with a late solo try from Louis Bielle-Biarrey leading his side to a 20-16 victory.
The French needed a win to maintain any hope they had of winning this year's championship following a heavy opening round defeat to Ireland in Marseille, while Scotland had been looking to make it two wins from two after they narrowly overcame Wales a week earlier.
Scotland dominated the game in terms of possession and territory and going in at the interval only three points ahead when they should have been further up ultimately proved costly.
𝐁𝐈𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐄-𝐁𝐈𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐄𝐘! ⚡️
France score out of nowhere and they lead for the first time!
🏴 16-17 🇫🇷#SCOvFRA | #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/Fpi9DVZPYU— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) February 10, 2024
The Scots crossed the line in the dying seconds of the encounter and thought they had won the game only for referee Nic White to controversially judge that the ball had been held up.
It appears like that a Six Nations first also happened during the game.
Scottish hooker's HIA appears to be a Six Nations first
After just 16 minutes of the opening half George Turner came off to be replaced by George Ewan Ashman. Nobody was exactly sure why until after the game when Head Coach Gregor Townsend explained.
The reason why Turner came off was for a HIA prompted by an alert received from his smart mouthguard.
The technology that has only been brought in by World Rugby this year works in real time to send alerts of high forces to the independent matchday doctor.
Scotland coach Gregor Townsend confirms George Turner’s HIA was an alert from his “smart” mouthguard.
Male players automatically removed for a HIA if they experience impact above 70g and 4000 radians per second squared.
Turner passed.
First of the tournament?@SixNationsRugby pic.twitter.com/YpUInzkWEu— Progressive Rugby (@ProgressiveRug) February 10, 2024
This enables players who have experienced a high acceleration event, but not shown symptoms or been seen by broadcast cameras, to be taken off and assessed.
Research from ice hockey has found the mouthguards can reduce the risk of concussion by 20% so World Rugby were keen to bring them in as they strive to improve player welfare.
Turner returned to the field of play before the conclusion of the first half.
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