1 day ago
10
Men's Six Nations
France (16) 35
Tries: Moefana (2), Bielle-Biarrey, Ramos Cons: Ramos (3) Pens: Ramos (3)
Scotland (13) 16
Tries: Graham Cons: Russell Pens: Russell (3)
France secured the Six Nations championship with a flourish - and quashed England's hopes - by ultimately overpowering a dogged Scotland in Paris.
Steve Borthwick's men moved to the top of the table with a thumping win in Wales, but the French responded to the challenge.
Their four tries didn't just secure the title in terrific style, it also brought their tally to 30 across the five games - a new Six Nations record, breaking a mark set by the English in 2001.
Fabien Galthie's team roared into an early 10-0 lead thanks to the first of Yoram Moefana's two tries and a penalty from Thomas Ramos, who later bypassed Frederic Michalak as France's all-time top points scorer.
Scotland weren't helped by a yellow card for Jamie Ritchie, but as the visitors came into it, France's discipline faltered and they had Peato Mauvaka and then Jean-Baptiste Gros binned in an fractious opening 40.
Finn Russell's penalties and a try from Darcy Graham made it 16-13 to France at the break - a lead they only held after a Tom Jordan score was disallowed just before the break.
However, the hosts took control from there. Nervy in the opening half, the French were dominant in the second.
Louis Bielle-Biarrey equalled the all-time single season championship try-scoring record when he landed his eighth of the campaign. Then Ramos and Moefana, again, took France clear as a depleted Scotland faltered.
More to follow
France: 15-Ramos; 14-Penaud, 13-Fickou, 12-Moefana, 11-Bielle-Biarrey; 10-Ntamack, 9-Lucu; 1-Gros, 2-Mauvaka, 3-Atonio, 4-Flament, 5-Guillard, 6-Cros, 7-Boudehent, 8-Alldritt (capt).
Replacements: 16-Marchand, 17-Baille, 18-Aldegheri, 19-Auradou, 20-Meafou, 21-Jegou, 22-Jelonch, 23-Le Garrec.
Scotland: 15-Kinghorn; 14-Graham, 13-Jones, 12-Jordan, 11-Van der Merwe; 10-Russell (co-capt), 9-White; 1-Schoeman, 2-Cherry, 3-Z Fagerson, 4-Brown, 5-Gilchrist, 6-Ritchie, 7-Darge (co-capt), 8-M Fagerson.
Replacements: 16-Ashman, 17-Sutherland, 18-Hurd, 19-Johnson, 20-Sykes, 21-Muncaster, 22-Dobie, 23-McDowall.
