The reverse was Scotland's third in three games in this year's 6 Nations and it comes on the back of World Cup losses to Argentina and England which lead to a premature exit from the global gathering in New Zealand.

But, bar the Round 2 loss to Wales in Cardiff, all of those matches have been close affairs, with the Scots able to argue that they should really have been celebrating four victories rather than five defeats.

And Lions hooker Ford, who was named his country's new skipper ahead of last month's Murrayfield encounter with England, insists there is still plenty of belief within the camp.

"Andy's got belief in the players and we as a team believe in what we're trying to do," said Ford.

"We're pretty tight together and we do believe we're on the right track and going in the right way.

"We felt in control (against France). We went out and played how we train. We let that accuracy drop before half-time and it cost us.

"After that we came out and we knew we had to lift it. We did that in parts. We showed we're on the right track.

"We've got belief in the way we're playing. With that bit of composure and being a little bit more clinical in certain areas we can get the results. If we can do that we can kick on from there."

Those sentiments were echoed by former Lions forwards coach Robinson who claims a promising performance against the French has enhanced his belief that good times lie ahead.

"I have total belief that we have the ability to win and that belief was strengthened even more, as it was against Wales and in the England game," added Robinson, who saw his side lead 10-0 and 17-13 on Sunday.

"We have belief about what we're about and we want to win. That's why games like this there's a degree of anger afterwards because of us not being able to achieve that.

"What I've enjoyed is watching this team go out and take a team that got to the World Cup final on and outplay them."