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 7-3 France, 19 minutes
Strong maul defence from France, hoisting the ramparts to stall the Scottish charge. That’s good, though, from Ewan Ashman, who does pack a punch in teh carry.
Five short, and now three as two more carriers make ground. Kapow! Ben White is flattened by a pair of French forwards, a slimmer scrum half meeting two men of much more mass.
France are penalised again, though - offside this time. Finn Russell flicks a finger towards the posts.
Scotland 7-3 France, 18 minutes
Ewan Ashman hits his first lineout throw and gets an immediate chance at a second, Thomas Ramos fumbling into touch.
Can Scotland create something from about 30 metres out? The attack is a little aimless but Gael Fickou infringes at the breakdown.
What’s the call? Finn Russell fancies the corner.
Scotland 7-3 France, 16 minutes
Well well well. If it was legal, as it has been ruled, that was an outstanding intervention from Van der Merwe to deny Louis Bielle-Biarrey the simplest of scores. Maxime Lucu looked to have flicked perfectly for the wing.
On we go, with Scotland readying a change. Ewan Ashman is on, George Turner is off, seemingly for an HIA - it appears that his smart gumshield has picked up a heavy head impact that may indicate a concussion. The hooker looks curiously at his protective mouthguard.
Scotland 7-3 France, 15 minutes
Now then! Gael Fickou bursts Scotland wide open, a straight line up the centre piercing the defensive line. He’s hauled down a metre short...intercepted! Duhan van der Merwe gets a hand out to save a certain score, kicking upfield - but was he offside?
No, the officials conclude! Wow! It looked like Van der Merwe never re-established himself, but TMO Brian MacNeice is happy, and referee Nic Berry orders France to take the lineout on halfway.
Scotland 7-3 France, 13 minutes
Both Maxime Lucu and Ben White are boxing well here, getting impressive amplitude on their clearances to relieve pressure.
Scotland play from halfway after Lucu’s latest hoist, an ill-advised offload coming somewhat fortunately off of a head and back into Scottish hands. It’s all a bit fast and loose, though, and France soon pinch breakdown ball.
A grubber is collected in the Scottish backfield, but that’s pretty inaccurate from Huw Jones - a simple pass to George Turner is about three yards too far in front of the hooker. Into touch it skips.
PENALTY! Scotland 7-3 FRANCE (Thomas Ramos penalty, 12 minutes)
Thomas Ramos knocks through the three. France are on the board.
Scotland 7-0 France, 10 minutes
With penalty advantage, France play on, but they run out of numbers on the left and Scotland hold firm. Back for the penalty, and on comes the tee.
Scotland 7-0 France, 9 minutes
Shaun Edwards won’t be happy with that French defensive start. That was all a little easy for Scotland to get to the edge.
But this is brighter for the visitors, Thomas Ramos cutting through a couple of tackles on the counter. France build into the Scottish 22.
TRY! SCOTLAND 7-0 France (Ben White try, 8 minutes)
There is!
A sparkling score from Scotland. France are short of numbers on the left edge and Duhan van der Merwe provides the required linking hands to exploit it, putting it in the hands of young Harry Paterson. The new full-back strides impressively away from the chasing defence, and finds an infield offload for Ben White.
White is tackled five metres short but his momentum and a greasy surface do the rest. Finn Russell converts.
Scotland 0-0 France, 7 minutes
This kick-heavy opening continues, France claiming nicely on halfway but not even chancing more than one ruck. Scotland have more adventure as they turn the ball over...and is there space on the right?
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies