France have ended Scotland’s hopes of a Six Nations grand slam with a 32-21 victory in a high-octane, nail-biting conflict with each side lowered to 14 males early on on the Stade de France.
Gael Fickou gave the defending champions a bonus level in Sunday’s conflict with a last-minute attempt to add to these of Romain Ntamack, Ethan Dumortier and Thomas Ramos, who kicked the remainder of the factors.
Scotland, who defended ferociously and got here near overturning a 19-Zero deficit, scored with two tries from Huw Jones and the boot of Finn Russell, who additionally added a attempt because the guests recovered from a woeful begin.
The Scots had lock Grant Gilchrist despatched off after seven minutes, six minutes earlier than France prop Mohamed Haouas was additionally proven a pink card.
Fabien Galthie’s facet had been trying to bounce again from their defeat towards Eire, their first of their final 15 Checks, and whereas they managed to get again to their successful methods, they didn’t seem as invincible as in 2022.
Scotland, after wins towards England and Wales, will now look to remain in competition for the title after they tackle unbeaten Eire whereas France will journey to England.
Les Bleus went via the phases early on and Ntamack touched down huge after the forwards had worn down the Scottish defence.
Gilchrist then made direct shoulder contact with Anthony Jelonch’s face and was despatched off after referee Nika Amashukeli noticed a “excessive diploma of hazard” within the transfer.
Dumortier went over shortly afterwards on the left wing to place France 12-Zero up, just for Haouas to be proven a pink card within the 13th minute for a head-first cost at Ben White’s head.
It spurred Scotland into motion, however Les Bleus had been extra medical as Ramos intercepted an extended cross from Russell in for the hosts’ third attempt after a 50-metre run.
Russell was extra impressed to place the guests on the scoreboard with an excellent cross for middle Jones who touched down between the posts.
Whereas Scotland remained a relentless hazard with highly effective driving mauls, Ramos added a penalty to present France a 15-point halftime lead.
Scotland lowered the arrears early on within the second half as Jones powered via for his second attempt as France’s technique was to restrict the injury.
Some good strikes, nonetheless, introduced Dumortier on the cusp of a fifth attempt for France, however the winger made a poor selection in entrance of the road.
Russell then dived over after a sequence of five-metre scrums to place Scotland inside touching distance earlier than France elevated the strain within the remaining minutes, though they did not make their dominance depend.
It was, nonetheless, France who had the final snicker with a risk-taking selection as they went for a bonus attempt, which Fickou sealed after being arrange by Antoine Dupont in a remaining transfer that additionally denied Scotland a defensive bonus level.
