( CNN ) -- Mathieu Bastareaud returned from the international rugby wilderness to score two tries as France opened their Six Nations campaign with an 18-9 victory away to Scotland on Sunday . The center made his first start since being cast aside after fabricating a tale of being assaulted during France 's tour of New Zealand in June last year . The 21-year-old crossed for his first five-point scores at the highest level , having made his debut in the 2009 Six Nations before causing controversy when he claimed he had been attacked outside his hotel to explain facial injuries . He later admitted being drunk and falling over a table in his room , but speculation over the incident continued and French sports paper L'Equipe reported that he had psychiatric treatment following a suicide attempt . However , Bastareaud scored the first try of the game in Edinburgh in the 12th minute following a five-meter scrum , and powered over the line again out on the left seven minutes before halftime . Scrumhalf Morgan Parra converted to give France a 15-6 lead and then kicked his second penalty five minutes after the interval . Chris Paterson , playing his 99th international for Scotland , kicked his third penalty to reduce the deficit but the home side never looked like breaching the try line of last year 's third-placed team as France could afford to see Parra miss another attempt at goal . Scotland coach Andy Robinson was left to rue defensive lapses ahead of next weekend 's trip to Wales , who lost 30-17 to England on Saturday . `` We conceded two soft scores , and if we do that we 're not going to beat anybody , '' the Englishman told reporters . `` It was hard against a good French scrum . The French were very canny in what they did . '' France winger Vincent Clerc praised teammate Bastareaud , who was banned for three months after his admission of lying . `` It was a good performance after some problems in July . He had a great match with two tries and some great defense , '' Clerc said .
Mathieu Bastareaud scores two tries on return from international rugby wilderness . France defeat Scotland 18-9 in their opening Six Nations match in Edinburgh . It was center Bastareaud 's first start since admitting he had lied about an assault in New Zealand . The 21-year-old was banned three months after finally admitting he fell over while drunk .