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:
Late drama denies Scotland as France emerge victorious at Murrayfield
Louis Bielle-Biarrey’s late try proved pivotal as France dug out a dramatic 20-16 Guinness Six Nations victory over Scotland at Murrayfield – but only after a controversial decision not to award the hosts a try in the last action of the match.
Les Bleus – who lost 38-17 at home to Ireland in their opener last weekend – looked in danger of starting the championship with back-to-back defeats as they trailed for most of the match after Ben White’s seventh-minute try.
However, Bielle-Biarrey’s moment of inspiration in the 70th minute allowed the French – who had scored in the first half through Gael Fickou – to get themselves in front.
The Scots – looking to make it back-to-back wins after their triumph in Wales last weekend – staged a late rally and thought they had claimed the victory when they forced their way over the line after the 80-minute mark, but following a lengthy TMO review, it was deemed they had not grounded the ball.
Late drama denies Scotland as France emerge victorious at Murrayfield
Hosts thought they had won it late on.
On we go...
We’ll have a load more reaction and analysis from Scotland’s defeat to France this evening and over the next few days, but there’s no time to draw breath - the next helping of Six Nations action is imminent, with the players just emerging at Twickenham as the rivalry between England and Wales is reignited. Luke Baker will be your guide throughout that one - you can join him here:
England v Wales LIVE: Six Nations 2024 latest updates from Twickenham
Wales are targeting a win at Twickenham for the first time in almost a decade as one of the Six Nations’ fiercest rivalries resumes
Scotland co-captain Finn Russell on Scotland’s defeat
“I think it was a tough second half, the whole game was an arm-wrestle. Personally, I believe that was a try at the end. We’ve got to take this defeat on the chin and get better for England. We can’t let the referee decide who wins, we’ve got to get better.
“The way we got back into the game and that, I believe, we scored shows the character we’ve got. I think we’ll chill out tonight and take it easy next week. We need a bit of time away from rugby, it’s an intense competition, and come back for that England game ready for the challenge.”
Former Wales captain Sam Warburton has his say on the decision
“To be fair, I think that is a try,” Warburton says on the BBC. “I am 95% sure that is a try, but can we say that is 100% a try?
“We couldn’t, so we have to stick with Nic Berry’s on-field decision.”
France cling on for victory against Scotland after controversial last-minute TMO decision
You have to say that, given the TMO process, the right decision was reached there. Nic Berry had not seen a grounding on the field, which meant Brian MacNeice had to see conclusive evidence that a try was scored. The experienced Irish TMO did not; the no try decision stood.
FT: Scotland 16-20 France
The Scottish players are distraught. They were certain victory was theirs - the ball looked to be on the floor and over the line, but there was no single angle that showed both factors as true. France survive.
FT! Scotland 16-20 France
Good god. It appeared that Brian MacNeice was leaning towards awarding that, with referee Nic Berry ready to raise his arm and give Scotland victory. But one last review of the footage and MacNeice felt he just couldn’t be sure - Scotland fall agonisingly short and France, by the barest of margins, cling on!
NO TRY! Scotland 16-20 France, 81 minutes
“I cannot say for certain.” Brian MacNeice concludes - NO TRY!
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