Scotland v France highlights: Six Nations score and updates as visitors hold on to win in thrilling end
Scotland 16-20 France: Les Bleus bounce back from last week’s humiliation against Ireland with a dramatic win at Murraygield as Scotland denied at the death
Scotland suffered a dramatic 20-16 defeat to France as the second weekend of the Six Nations kicked off in style in Edinburgh.
Gregor Townsend’s side just about survived a scintillating Welsh comeback to secure a first win in Cardiff in 22 years in round one but endured similarly dramatic heartbreak a week later.
Louis Bialle-Biarrey’s stunning 70th-minute solo try – as he collected his own chip over the top to dot down – had put France one point ahead and they added a penalty to extend the lead to four before Scotland drove for the match-winning try as the clock seeped into the red. They burrowed their way over the line from close range but, after a long TMO review, it was determined they had been held up, with insufficient evidence to overturn the on-field call of no-try and Les Bleus clung on.
Scotland had led for most of the match due to Ben White’s early try but Gael Fickou scored for Les Bleus and kickers Thomas Ramos and Finn Russell traded penalties before the late drama.
Relive live coverage of Scotland vs France in today’s live blog:
Scotland 13-10 France, 52 minutes
Great work from Harry Paterson! Damian Penaud prods ahead and sets off in pursuit, joined by Louis Bielle-Biarrey. The wing pair pincer Paterson but the full-back cannily stays on the floor, allowing support to arrive and Scotland, eventually, to clear from inside their own in-goal area. Superb from the debutant to extricate his side from a tough spot.
Scotland 13-10 France, 50 minutes
That’s just horrible to see. Alldritt is able to hobble over to the vehicle that will transport him down the tunnel, but that knee injury looks a severe one.
Can France fight back without their captain? They’ll throw a lineout just inside the Scottish half.
Scotland 13-10 France, 50 minutes
Poor Gregory Alldritt. Paul Boudehent replaces his stricken skipper, and Nolann Le Garrec is on at scrum half, too, as the French squad wait for Alldritt to be removed. A protective, inflatable brace is immediately placed on the number eight’s left leg - that, sadly, could well end his tournament. Brutal.
Scotland 13-10 France, 50 minutes
A bit of a worry for France as Gregory Alldritt grasps at a knee having locked over the top of a ruck and be clattered by three Scots in succession. A worry indeed - the stretcher and a cart are coming out for the French captain. This is a massive blow!
Scotland 13-10 France, 49 minutes
Try? Not quite! the ball spills free from a ruck after Sione Tuipulotu’s forthright carry, and Ben White is sharp to it, racing after a toe ahead. Damian Penaud is just about fleet enough of foot to beat him to it...and after a bit of debate among the officials, it’ll be a goalline dropout rather than a five-metre scrum.
Scotland 13-10 France, 48 minutes
Matthieu Jalibert shakes his head - that was curious from the France ten, taking far too long to retreat underneath a high bomb and thus off-balance as he tries to claim it. A knock on grants Scotland a scrum on the fringes of the French 22 - though the visitors will be significantly meatier for it with the double punch of Uini Atonio’s return from the sin bin and the arrival of Posolo Tuilagi in the second row.
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Scotland 13-10 France, 46 minutes
A slightly bitty start to the half with an increasingly greasy ball posing problems. Thomas Ramos settles beneath a Finn Russell punt inside the safety of his own 22, marking it and thunping long. Russell tumbles over an advertising hoarding, rising with a chuckle with no harm done.
Scotland 13-10 France, 44 minutes
Mauvaka can’t find his jumper, though. Scotland come forward and Finn Russell chips, Thomas Ramos sweeping across and improvising a clearance of the bouncing ball with his left boot. Ramos was a handy footballer in his youth, though that was rather more centre half than midfield playmaker.
Scotland knock on as they try to rumble back. Scott Cummings the spiller.
Scotland 13-10 France, 43 minutes
Matt Fagerson is the man replaced by Christie, who has been in otustanding form for Saracens.
Thomas Ramos is again in bother over by the touchine, this time clawing away an offload to avoid a Scottish lineout, the ball’s ricochet into touch off a Scottish body ensuring it will be Peato Mauvaka’s throw.
Scotland 13-10 France, 41 minutes
Thomas Ramos is bundled towards the touchline, doing well to get himself to floor and avoid being driven out. Fance play a couple more phases and then go to the air, Gael Fickou tapping back in front of a leaping Harry Paterson.
Andy Christie is on in the Scottish back row and produces a superb snaffle at the breakdown.
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