Scotland blow Six Nations title race open as France Grand Slam goes up in smoke

Scotland blew the Six Nations title race wide open with a record 50-40 bonus‑point victory over France at a rejoicing Murrayfield.

France travelled to Edinburgh in search of the bonus‑point win needed to retain the title with a game to spare, but they left with their Grand Slam hopes in tatters.

Scotland struck first through Darcy Graham but had to wrestle back control before the break, with Kyle Steyn and Pierre Schoeman crossing after France had responded with quick‑fire tries from Louis Bielle‑Biarrey and Theo Attissogbe.

A rampant Scotland then tore France apart in the second half, as Graham and Steyn doubled their tallies on either side of scores from Ben White and Tom Jordan.

That surge saw Scotland establish an emphatic 47-14 lead, lifting them above France in the table until a late flurry of tries from Antoine Dupont, Thomas Ramos (2) and Pierre‑Louis Barassi earned Les Bleus a losing bonus point that kept them top on points difference.

The victory leaves Scotland with a fighting chance of claiming a maiden Six Nations crown ahead of their round‑five trip to Ireland, though they need a favour from England after France’s late salvo ensured their fate remained in their hands in Paris.

Scotland blow Six Nations title race wide open

Scotland made the perfect start when Graham was fed by Finn Russell and darted through a gap to score on the right in the fifth minute.

It was the first time France had trailed in this year’s championship, but after absorbing further pressure, Les Bleus levelled in the 18th minute when Dupont ripped the ball from Sione Tuipulotu and Matthieu Jalibert released the lethal Bielle‑Biarrey to finish.

The visitors struck again four minutes later as Bielle‑Biarrey’s grubber sent Attissogbe over, with Ramos converting to put France 14-7 ahead.

Scotland, however, wrestled back momentum. A slick line‑out move saw George Turner flip the ball to Steyn, who cut a sharp inside line to score.

Moments later, sustained pressure near the French line ended with Schoeman powering over, and Jalibert was shown a yellow card for persistent offside infringements.

Tom Jordan is mobbed after scoring Scotland’s seventh try against France

Although Scotland couldn’t extend their five‑point lead during the sin‑bin period, they struck immediately upon Jalibert’s return as White sniped over from close range.

The hosts tightened their grip in the 51st minute when Dupont, under pressure from White, threw a loose pass straight to Steyn, who sprinted clear.

Graham then wriggled over for his second just before the hour, with French replacement Lenni Nouchi sin‑binned for jumping offside. Scotland made the extra man count again as substitute Jordan crashed over in the 64th minute.

At that stage Scotland were heading top of the table, but the closing spell turned ragged.

France mounted a late surge, scoring four tries through Dupont, Ramos (twice) and Barassi to secure a crucial losing bonus point that sees them lead the standings heading into a mouth‑watering Super Saturday.

Townsend: We’ve been a different team since Argentina loss

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend speaking to BBC Sport:

“It was a brilliant day for our supporters. Great rugby game. The second half – that third quarter – shows us at our best. It’s not just the rugby we play, it’s the mindset to keep attacking.

“A lot of teams would sit on that lead against France – but we know to keep playing the way that got us there in the first place.”

On November loss to Argentina after leading by 21 points: “While it was painful for us to lose that, it was a line in the sand. We had to face some truths.

“We’ve been a different team since then. And I saw it in Rome – despite the scoreline – and I saw it in Cardiff, and I saw it today.

“We have to play another game against quality opposition – let’s see what we can do in Dublin

“[Losing to] Italy was part of the journey. We didn’t get a fast start. But after that the team stayed together – and the next week we produced a performance to be proud of against England.

“We’ll enjoy being together but there’s something really to go for next week.”