Southwell had his kick charged down by France centre Damien Traille, who collected the ball and went on to score in the RBS 6 Nations opener in Paris.

The try put France in front for the first time in the game and they held on to win by 16-9, but Bulloch is adamant that no blame can be attached to Southwell - who otherwise had an impressive first outing at inside centre.

It was not Hugo's fault, Bulloch said. It was late in the game and at that point a lot of people were getting tired because we did a lot of defending in both halves.

It is a collective effort - their try just happened to be a charge down from Hugo's kick."

Bulloch paid tribute to Southwells contribution in the unfamiliar role of centre.

To come in and play centre in that kind of game says wonders for the guy, Bulloch said.

But we stand together as a squad and he will get support from the group this week.