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 16-20 France, 81 minutes
The on-field decision is no try. We have to see conclusive evidence of a score...my oh my this is close!
Scotland 16-20 France, 80 minutes
Here they come, throwing everything and the French defence. Duhan van der Merwe’s in there, powering into a thicket. “Short”, Nic Berry cries. This time? Scotland celebrate...HELD UP!
Or is he? Nic Berry sends it upstairs for a look. Over to you, Brian MacNeice, with the clock dead...
Scotland 16-20 France, 80 minutes
Stable at the set-piece. Nolann le Garrec finds Yoram Moefana, who carries well...but Finn Russell has it! The ball popped free and the fly half was somehow onto it. One last assault!
Scotland 16-20 France, 79 minutes
So near but so far! Almost one of the great Six Nations tries from Kyle Rowe, jinking and jiving between four defenders and then bamboozling the last defender with his footwork. France somehow get back to him, and Rowe fumbles on the floor! He’s distraught - it looked like he might have an angle on Thomas Ramos to get to the corner, but his twists and turns had slowed him up and Matthieu Jalibert got back to make a vital tackle!
Wow. Little more than a minute to play. France’s scrum ten metres from their own line. They can’t afford to play phases, surely?
Scotland 16-20 France, 78 minutes
Scotland win back the restart! It’s not clean possession but it is their ball, Finn Russell directing traffic and trying to get his vehicles moving. One mistake could end it.
PENALTY! Scotland 16-20 FRANCE (Thomas Ramos penalty, 77 minutes)
Thomas Ramos puts France four in front. Three minutes to play.
Scotland 16-17 France, 76 minutes
Julien Marchand finds his man this time and to the maul France go, Posolo Tuilagi lending his considerable weight as France rumble forth. There’s a penalty coming.
Could there be more? Wide to the left, a dribble through...into touch with Louis Bielle-Biarrey in close attention. But the penalty is eminently kickable - and Scotland won’t have long after it goes over.
Scotland 16-17 France, 76 minutes
Scottish ball...or not! A hand on the arm at the lineout and it is France’s penalty. Scott Cummings the guilty party, unable to resist a tug at Charles Ollivon’s hoisted limb.
Scotland 16-17 France, 74 minutes
No urgency yet for Scotland, happy to engage in the kicking battle. Finn Russell punts to touch. France’s lineout just inside their own half.
Scotland 16-17 France, 72 minutes
Blimey. France really haven’t clicked at all today but are nine minutes from victory. This is a huge test of Scotland’s mentality - they rediscovered their steel when they needed it late on last week, but this time they’ll have to find a score.
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