Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Liveupdated

Scotland vs France LIVE: Six Nations rugby score and latest updates as Jonathan Danty try seals bonus point

Follow live reaction after the favourites for the 2022 Six Nations stayed on course for a Grand Slam

Harry Latham-Coyle
Saturday 26 February 2022 18:05 GMT
Comments
Gael Fickou scores France’s third try
Gael Fickou scores France’s third try (Reuters)

France were at their flamboyant best as they scored six tries in thumping Scotland 36-17 at Murrayfield on Saturday to make it three wins out of three in the Six Nations this year.

Two tries in the opening 13 minutes served notice of their form and status as tournament favourites, as Paul Willemse and Yoram Moefana went over early.

There were four more tries from Gale Fickou, Jonathan Danty and Damien Penaud (2) in a devastating performance, with Melvyn Jaminet adding three conversions

Scotland offered resistance at stages but only went over the line twice through loose forward Rory Darge, making his first start for the home team, and Duhan van der Merwe. Finn Russell converted one of the tries and added a penalty while Stuart Hogg converted the other.

53’ - England 17-0 Wales

Basham had his arm out, he would have ran in but the ball can’t be recycled to him. More heartbreak for Wales as England turn it over and kick away.

That is a relief for England as Wales looked dangerous, if Basham got the ball he would have been in.

A huge hit from Itoje as Wales again look to attack but Dombrandt has won a turn over. At the moment everything is going against Wales with Slade clearing the lines.

But this time England’s line-out goes awry and they win a penalty to boot it away. Back and forth with England absorbing pressure.

Sarah Rendell26 February 2022 18:05

49’ England 17-0 Wales

T Williams looks to strike back with a great break and Wales now putting it through the hands. The hosts manage to get the ball back with a knock on from Wales to see the ball at halfway.

Wales’ line-out this time is clean and they look to score their first points of the match - still camping at halfway. Wales win another penalty and it is another scrum - have England’s problems been fixed? No they haven’t with Genge giving away the penalty this time.

Biggar kicks upfield and Elias’ line-out almost went awry but Wales collect. They are on the attack now, testing England’s defence.

Sarah Rendell26 February 2022 18:02

TRY - England 17-0 Wales (Dombrandt, 43’)

England start brightly with a great break from Malins and the ball goes through the hands.

A sloppy pass almost gifts the ball to Wales but England retain the ball. The initial fast paced attack has been slowed down by Wales, particularly good from Rowlands.

It is slow from the ruck, England need some pace. Smith decides enough is enough and kicks away which gifts the opposition a line-out.

An error at the Wales line-out sees Dombrandt capitalise and powers over. It’s a first Test try for the Harlequins man. His club teammate Smith misses the conversion.

Sarah Rendell26 February 2022 17:57

40’ - England 12-0 Wales

We are back underway at Twickenham!

Can England see this one out or can Wales come back?

England have made a change, Sam Simmonds has replaced Tom Curry. Unsure if that’s tactical or for an injury. Wales unchanged.

Sarah Rendell26 February 2022 17:53

Half-time: England 12-0 Wales

There have been some stand-out stars on both sides of the game and despite Wales being behind, I think they have the best player on the pitch in terms of performance.

Alex Cuthbert is having a superb match, winning his battle with Nowell and making cracking breaks. He is hungry to impress on his 50th cap and Nowell must be feeling it out there.

For England, Lawes and Curry have been good but the star at the moment for me is Randall. Eddie Jones took a lot of flack for choosing him over Ben Youngs but he has been superb with quick ball.

Sarah Rendell26 February 2022 17:45

Half-time: England 12-0 Wales

This has been a frantic match with both defences holding strong as there have not been a try yet.

England’s scrum has been sloppy but Wales’ penalty count has been their Achilles heel and the hosts have capitalised. Smith has kick four of five penalties and every time there has been an option to take the points or go to the corner England have opted for the sticks.

This game could still go either way but the momentum is with England as things stand.

Sarah Rendell26 February 2022 17:39

PENALTY - England 12-0 Wales (Smith 40+1’)

England were getting inches closer to the line with spectacular break from the likes of Smith and Randall.

The penalty advantage was over but Moriarty gets in the way at the ruck and gifts England a pen. Smith points to the sticks and the last action of this half will be his kick.

It’s good! England holding all the keys in this fixture.

Sarah Rendell26 February 2022 17:37

40’ - England 9-0 Wales

George throws the line-out and Itoje catches. The hosts look to create a maul to charge over but Wales do enough to smother the ball and win the penalty. Cracking job for Wales with returning Falatau getting that one.

Now it’s a Wales line-out and it’s clean as the visitors look to get some points on the board. Tomos Williams box kicks and Nowell collects - the ball exchanging hands so quickly.

Smith kicks away and L Williams catches, slow ruck ball from Wales is silencing any attack they’ll want. Wales kick away and England now have it, this game needs an injection of something with both defences holding strong so far!

England have a penalty advantage for a Welsh error on the floor.

Sarah Rendell26 February 2022 17:35

36’ - England 9-0 Wales

Wales were getting into their 22 and they pass out wide to Basham but Daly makes a great tackle to stifle the move.

England get the ball back and Steward wallops it up the pitch and Biggar then kicks it away. England going through the phases now and Slade has kicked a beautiful 50:22, take a bow!

He has put England in a great position with Smith praising his teammate. There’s a small break in play ahead of the English line-out.

Sarah Rendell26 February 2022 17:31

34’ - England 9-0 Wales

It’s cray to think we are closing in on half-time already! This has been a tense contest so far and while the scoreline suggests England are the better, Wales have been good.

Wales now on the attack, Cuthbert fends off Nowell but is brought down. The Welshman winning the contest between the wingers so far.

Adams spills the ball but Wales get a penalty advantage and with another spill they kick upfield.

You guessed it, there’s another scrum! Wales have the put in and win the ball - the scrum is England’s Achilles heel at the moment. Wales now on the attack

Sarah Rendell26 February 2022 17:28

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in