The Six Nations – in narrative, form and expectation – has been blown to smithereens. Grand Slam-hunting France can call off the search, with their challenge ended by one of the greatest days in the history of Scottish rugby.
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Magnificent Scotland – improbably, almost impossibly, after a first-round loss in Italy – travel to Dublin next Saturday knowing that they could win the title with a healthy victory. Given France nicked a try-scoring bonus point late on, Scotland might need a favour of sorts from their auld enemy, England, in Paris next Saturday, but that should not mask what is a remarkable turnaround, culminating with this barnstorming mauling of France, in what was, with 90 points scored, the match of this year’s Six Nations thus far.
Seven tries the hosts scored against a French side whom they had not defeated for five years in this Championship. France, the reigning champions hunting a second Grand Slam in as many years, did not just depart Edinburgh defeated; they left conquered, emasculated and humiliated, their dream dying in the most ignominious fashion possible. The 40 points they scored should not mask the level of Scottish domination. Any of three sides could now lift the Six Nations trophy next Saturday.
The Auld Alliance? France certainly did their old mates a favour, it is just a shame that it coincided with an almost comical level of self-sabotage. On their day, France are giants, but after the feeble defeat to 14-player South Africa in the autumn, they are still dogged by inconsistency. In light of this result, the pre-match complaints of Fabien Galthié, the head coach, look even more misguided and even more preposterous.
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But the day unquestionably belonged to Scotland, for whom heroes were littered everywhere. Some of the Scottish forwards – Pierre Schoeman, Matt Fagerson and Jack Dempsey – had simply never played better; nor had Ben White at scrum-half. The Scottish back three, with two tries apiece for Darcy Graham and Kyle Steyn, looked every bit as threatening as their prominent French counterparts and in the midfield it was simply no contest. Sione Tuipulotu and Huw Jones made the Bordeaux boys look like Bowery Bums. Not even the great Antoine Dupont could do anything to stem the tide, throwing interceptions and being caught behind his own goal line.
France may yet still end this Six Nations as champions but it was Scotland who delivered the champion performance at Murrayfield. Super Saturday next weekend is already living up to its name.
More to follow…
Match details
Scoring sequence: 5-0 Graham try, 7-0 Russell con, 7-5 Bielle-Biarrey try, 7-7 Ramos con, 7-12 Attissogbe try, 7-14 Ramos con, 12-14 Steyn try, 17-14 Schoeman try, 19-14 Russell con, 24-14 White try, 26-14 Russell con, 31-14 Steyn try, 33-14 Russell con, 38-14 Graham try, 40-14 Russell con, 45-14 Jordan try, 47-14 Russell con, 47-19 Dupont try, 47-21 Ramos con, 47-26 Ramos try, 50-26 Russell pen, 50-31 Jegou try, 50-33 Ramos con, 50-38 Ramos try, 50-40 Ramos con.
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Scotland: B Kinghorn; D Graham, H Jones (Jordan 55), S Tuipulotu (capt), K Steyn (Douglas 66); F Russell, B White (Horne 63); P Schoeman (Sutherland 63), G Turner (Ashman 51), D Rae (Fagerson 39), G Brown (Gilchrist 32), S Cummings (Bayliss 51), M Fagerson, R Darge, J Dempsey.
Yellow card: Bayliss 78
France: T Ramos; T Attissogbe, N Depoortère (P-L Barass 44), Y Moefana, L Bielle-Biarrey; M Jalibert, A Dupont (capt, Serin 69); J-B Gros (Neti 51), J Marchand (Mauvaka 44), D Aldegheri (Bamba 51), C Ollivon (Flament 44), M Guillard (Meafou 44), F Cros, O Jegou, A Jelonch (Nouchi 42).
Yellow card: Jalibert 32, Nouchi 58
Referee: A Gardner
Attendance: 67,144
Scotland’s most breathtaking wins in professional era
5. England 23-29 Scotland: 2023 Six Nations
Duhan van der Merwe hammering in to score from the darkest depths of nowhere. It still aches for many England fans. And that game could have been so different had Van der Merwe not scored. Which makes it feel special for Scots, though you could argue it is not as historically significant as their first win at Twickenham since 1983, when in 2021 Finn Russell and Van der Merwe were the standouts in an echoing, fanless HQ. But doing it in front of fans puts it in the pantheon.
4. Ireland 20-23 Scotland: 2010 Six Nations
The odds were stacked against Scotland at Croke Park, but a bulldozer of a try in the far-left corner from Johnnie Beattie set the tone and Dan Parks was nerveless from the tee at the very end to deny Ireland the Triple Crown they coveted. Sure, Scotland were in the running for the wooden spoon before this one, but it was the sheer drama of the day that made it so memorable.
3. Scotland 50-40 France: 2026 Six Nations
A bewildering blitz in which Scotland poured through in attack. They may regret allowing France to score a bonus-point try, but so rampant were they going forward they will barely pause to ponder just now. Seven tries against this French outfit feels obscene, in the most exciting way.
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2. Scotland 25-13 England: 2018 Six Nations
Will go down in history for the “pass of the century” from Russell to Huw Jones that set up a Sean Maitland try. We will see it on highlight packages forever more. And Scotland thrilled across the back line, swaggering their way to a first win over England for 10 years. It also blew that Six Nations open… where have we heard that before?
1. France 22-36 Scotland: 1999 Five Nations
Scottish victories in Paris have always felt incredibly memorable, and the 1995 win, that become known for the “Toonie flip” try-assist Gregor Townsend gave Gavin Hastings, is high up there. But in 1999 the Scots stormed Paris to put themselves in position to win the last Five Nations – all it took was a late Scott Gibbs try against England to guarantee it.
04:35pm
Thanks for joining us
That brings our coverage of Scotland’s remarkable victory over France to an end, as Gregor Townsend’s kept their title hopes alive and denied the visitors the chance of a Grand Slam. Thank you for joining us!
04:32pm
‘It’s all to play for’, says Graham
Darcy Graham tells BBC One: “That game was crazy, a 90-point game, it’s unheard of.
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“You know what they’re like, such a big unit, such a quality team and knew what they’d bring today and we did well to stop it. It’s a special win for us.
“Of course [we can win in Dublin], confidence is right up there, everyone is loving life, it would be nice to go over to Ireland and get that win. It’s all to play for.”
04:29pm
‘Brilliant day for us’, says Townsend
Asked if today was his greatest day as Scotland head coach, Gregor Townsend told BBC: “I’ll have to think on that one, it was a obviously a brilliant day for us, a great rugby game.
“That third quarter shows us at our best, the mindset to keep attacking, a lot of teams would sit on that lead against France but we know the best way of winning is doing what got us success in the first half.
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“I believed in the team and the fact there would be opportunities, and they just built on phase after phase and grew in confidence. It reminded me a lot of the New Zealand game but today we were more clinical and kept it going in the second half.”
On learning from the Argentina loss: “While it was really painful for us to lose the game, it was a line in the sand. We had to face some truths.
“We’ve been a different team since then. You need those painful defeats to make you the team that you’re going to be.”
04:24pm
History repeating itself?
The last time Scotland scored four or more tries against France was in 1999, when they won the Five Nations title.
04:22pm
‘It was all about firing first’, says Steyn
Scotland winger and player of the match Kyle Steyn told the BBC his injury is not too concerning and that he will be back for next week, adding: “Just a big ugly gash.”
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On the win, he said: “I think we knew you couldn’t come and try contain them, you had to fire shots at them.
“You just knew it was going to be a great day. It was all about making sure we fired the first shot.
“I was more worried about how much we were celebrating, we needed to get our feet on the ground and keep going.”
04:20pm
Tuipulotu: The tournaments not over
Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu to BBC on where this win ranks in his career: “It’s definitely up there considering how this tournament started for us, we believe now, the tournament’s not over for us, I could not be prouder to be captain of this team.
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“I remember doing this interview after the Italy game and it sounded very different .The changing room believes in each other and believes in its coaching staff and we’ve got an opportunity next week.
“We stuck together when times were tough after that first round and a tough autumn.”
On Townsend: “I couldn’t be happier for him, things were up against him and we rallied behind our coach, now we’re sitting here and I can see the storylines changing.
“Anything is possible for sure but we know the challenge of Ireland.”
04:13pm
England in action
England are looking to avoid a third successive defeat as they take on Italy in Rome this afternoon. You can follow our coverage of this clash here, with the match kicking off at 16:40 GMT.
04:10pm
Watch: Jordan scores Scotland’s seventh
04:08pm
Scotland lift Auld Alliance trophy
Scotland captain Sione Tuipulotu collects the Auld Alliance trophy before heading back down to his team to lift it on the pitch, with Scotland getting their hands on the trophy for the first time since 2021.
04:05pm
Up next
France will look to secure back-to-back Six Nations titles next weekend as they host England in their final game of this year’s championship.
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Scotland, meanwhile, will do all they can to land a first-ever title with their trip to Ireland.
04:02pm
Scotland level on points with France
Scotland’s bonus point victory means they will head into the final weekend level on 16 points with France.
However, France’s superior points difference sees them top the table, while their four-try bonus point this afternoon could prove decisive.
03:59pm
Full time: Scotland 50 France 40
Ramos’ conversion is the final moment of a sensational match at Murrayfield as Scotland keep their title hopes alive with a famous win, ending France’s Grand Slam dream.
03:58pm
TRY! Ramos scores another as France reach 40
Scotland 50 France 40 (Ramos) France have another! This has been a truly remarkable game.
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As the clock ticks into the red, France put together a wonderful move in the centre of the pitch to release Jalibert, who then offloads to Ramos and the full-back crosses under the posts.
He completes the game with a conversion.
03:56pm
TRY! France combine well for their fifth score
Scotland 50 France 33 (Barassi) The tries just keep on coming!
Scotland are unable to claim the ball at the restart and France combine superbly down their left, with Barassi eventually crossing in the corner.
The conversion from out wide on the left is not there from Ramos. Bayliss goes into the bin for a foul in the move.
03:54pm
Penalty! Russell takes Scotland up to 50
Scotland 50 France 26 (Russell) Scotland have their half century of points against France for the first time!
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The hosts make the interception in France’s half and soon earn the penalty, but this time they will kick for the posts, for the first time this afternoon.
It just about squeezes inside the right post from Russell.
03:51pm
TRY! Ramos secures bonus point for France
Scotland 47 France 26 (Ramos) France have their bonus point!
The attacking line-out is loose from France and Dempsey can latch onto the ball before Horne clears but the visitors are quickly coming back.
Moefana drives well to take his side 10 metres short of the line, before Ramos darts through the Scottish defence to secure that crucial four-try bonus point.
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Ramos misses the conversion, but that could be a really important score from the full-back.
03:48pm
73 mins: Scotland 47 France 21
France earn the penalty advantage soon after their line-out, with Douglas at fault for not moving away at the breakdown, and play is quickly brought back.
The visitors kick for the corner down their left flank and they will have the line-out around 10 metres out.
03:46pm
72 mins: Scotland 47 France 21
Scotland have the line-out after a wayward kick from Bielle-Biarrey, but they are forced back into their own 22 by a strong French maul, and eventually, the hosts are penalised, giving France a scrum just inside the 22.
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The visitors work it out towards their right and Jalibert goes for the deft grubber kick, but Graham does well to sweep up and Russell can kick clear.
03:44pm
70 mins: Scotland 47 France 21
As it stands, Scotland are a point ahead of France in the standings, meaning it is crucial they deny the visitors a bonus point through a fourth try.
France would go to the top of the table on points difference if they can score another try in the closing stages here.
03:42pm
68 mins: Scotland 47 France 21
Steyn picked up what appears to be a fairly serious injury as he looked to deny Dupont then, and he is taken off on a stretcher.
03:40pm
TRY! Dupont scores France’s third as visitors stop the rot
Scotland 47 France 21 (Dupont) France have stopped the flow of Scottish tries, with what could be a crucial third score of their own.
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The visitors turn it over and work it out to their right to Attissogbe, who combines wonderfully with Jalibert before finding Dupont, and the scrum-half can cross to the right of the posts despite the efforts of Steyn.
The conversion is there from the visitors, but importantly, they are one try away from a bonus point.
03:38pm
65 mins: Scotland 47 France 14
What is going on at Murrayfield. Pure euphoria. Form and narrative ripped up. One of Scotland’s greatest days – and a French capitulation. Mind-boggling.
03:37pm
TRY! Scotland running riot as Jordan crosses for hosts’ seventh
Scotland 47 France 14 (Jordan) Scotland are running riot at Murrayfield.
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Dupont gathers a long kick forward but he is forced back over his own try-line and, in bizarre fashion, he plays an obviously forward pass, giving Scotland the scrum just five metres out.
Scotland work the ball inside from the scrum and Jordan powerfully surges over the line, doing well to touch it down despite colliding with the post.
It’s an easy conversion for Russell and Scotland are up to 47 points. They will now need to focus on preventing a France bonus point.
03:33pm
62 mins: Scotland 40 France 14
Nouchi was given a yellow card following that latest Scottish try for a foul in the build-up so the visitors are back down to 14 for the next 10 minutes.
03:32pm
TRY! Scotland in dreamland as Graham scores second
Scotland 40 France 14 (Graham) France have fallen apart in this second half!
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Again, Scotland go for the corner from the penalty, with Russell’s kick just five metres short. The hosts maul powerfully towards the line as they earn another advantage.
But they won’t need it, with the ball being worked inside and out to Graham, who shows great feet to dance past a couple of challenges before crossing just to the right of the posts.
The conversion is made by Russell, who has missed just once this afternoon, and the lead is up to 26!
03:29pm
58 mins: Scotland 33 France 14
Steyn and Fagerson find holes in the French defence with darting runs and Scotland are able to get into the visitors’ 22 once again.
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The move fizzles out but the hosts have the advantage so play is brought back for a Scottish penalty. Dupont is given a warning by the referee over the amount of fouls from his side, as he was in the opening period.
03:27pm
56 mins: Scotland 33 France 14
Russell times his offload perfectly to release Kinghorn through the French defensive line and towards their 22, but the full-back’s pass out wide to Graham is wayward. What an opportunity that was for the hosts!
03:25pm
54 mins: Scotland 33 France 14
France are coming forward, into the Scottish 22, but they are pulled up by the TMO for a clearout on Russell. It’s very soft but Scotland won’t mind.
03:23pm
53 mins: Scotland 33 France 14
If it did not feel like Scotland’s day before, the great Antoine Dupont has just thrown an intercept which might well give the hosts victory – and blow the championship wide open. Staggering.
03:23pm
TRY! Scotland pull further ahead as Steyn breaks clear
Scotland 33 France 14 (Steyn) Scotland have their fifth try and Steyn has his second, with the afternoon getting better and better for the hosts.
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Dupont’s pass out wide, under pressure from White, is intercepted by Steyn on halfway and he shows incredible pace to burst away from Moefana and over the line.
Russell converts and the lead is up to 19.
03:20pm
50 mins: Scotland 26 France 14
Scotland’s passing is slightly loose following their line-out and they are forced back towards halfway. Eventually they opt for the kick over the top but Bielle-Biarrey is there to sweep up and he clears.
03:19pm
49 mins: Scotland 26 France 14
France are really putting the pressure on as Scotland look to escape their own half. Eventually the hosts opt for the box-kick but it’s well taken from Jalibert and France are quickly into their opponents’ half.
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Scotland soon win the penalty, though, with France guilty of a tackle off the ball and Russell finds touch just outside the French 22. It’s a slow walk to the line-out from the hosts.
03:16pm
47 mins: Scotland 26 France 14
Wow. What a start to the half by Scotland. As France ring the changes, they have it all to do.
03:15pm
TRY! White extends Scotland lead as hosts secure bonus point
Scotland 26 France 14 (White) Scotland have their fourth try, securing a bonus point, and it’s wonderful from White.
Russell finds touch with the penalty down Scotland’s left, taking his side to within 10 metres of the line. The hosts earn another penalty advantage as they work the ball inside from the line-out.
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But they don’t need it! Fagerson charges really well towards the line and White is able to pick the ball out from the ruck before slipping through the French defence to cross under the posts.
Russell makes the easy conversion and the lead extends to 12 points!
03:12pm
43 mins: Scotland 19 France 14
Scotland earn the advantage down their left for a high tackle, and as the attack fizzles out down their right, play is brought back for the penalty.
Jelonch is forced top make way for a HIA, with his mouthguard signalling the need for it.
03:10pm
42 mins: Scotland 19 France 14
Cummings charges well following the ruck, forcing Dupont to drag his box-kick into touch, well short of halfway.
Some tidy footwork from Graham takes Scotland into the 22, down his side’s right flank.
03:09pm
41 mins: Scotland 19 France 14
We are back underway at Murrayfield with Scotland Russell kicking the second half off, going from left to right as they look to keep their title hopes alive.
03:08pm
Players back out
The players are emerging from the tunnel once again, and we are just moments away from the second half getting underway.
03:07pm
As it stands
Scotland are currently on course for four points, while France are in the position for one losing bonus point. This would take Scotland up to second, within one point of the defending champions.
03:03pm
Close to perfect from Scotland, says Barclay
Speaking on the BBC, former Scotland captain John Barclay said: “Scotland have come with an attitude to say we’re going to take risks. It’s not been a perfect first half but it’s been pretty close.”
03:01pm
Watch: Schoeman restores Scotland’s lead
02:59pm
Enthralling half at Murrayfield
An enthralling half which ends with just a score in it. Scotland will be ecstatic – and are right where they would have wanted to be.
France, given the strength of their bench and the fact they are still to concede while down to 14, will still fancy their chances of a second-half rearguard, but this is already shaping up to be the game of the championship thus far.
Hopefully, the second half lives up to that billing.
02:54pm
Half-time: Scotland 19 France 14
France win the foul this time at the scrum but they are not interested in playing on, sending the ball into touch to bring the first half to an end.
02:53pm
40 mins: Scotland 19 France 14
Scotland fumble the ball as they work it into space on their right but Graham gathers it and spins past Dupont. Play is brought back, though, for a knock-on and the visitors have the scrum.
Fagerson comes on for Rae, who has done his work in the scrum in this opening period.
02:50pm
38 mins: Scotland 19 France 14
Scotland have the scrum inside their half, and they win the penalty once again. Russell bananas the ball into touch down the home side’s right flank, taking them just short of the French 22.
The Scotland fly-half opts for an audacious grubber-kick following the line-out but it’s gathered by Bielle-Biarrey and France can kick clear. Scotland are coming back though as they look to finish the half on a high.
02:48pm
36 mins: Scotland 19 France 14
Scotland the brave? You bet. What a game this is turning into. The hosts will not be cowed by French flamboyance as they work themselves back into the lead once again. Jalibert to the bin for France, too, to compound the damage from Schoeman’s score.
02:47pm
TRY! Schoeman bundles over the line as Scotland restore lead
Scotland 19 France 14 (Schoeman) It’s really nice again from Scotland following the line-out, with some sharp passing taking them just short of the line. They are forced to recycle as they earn another penalty advantage in front of the posts.
The hosts work the ball out to their right and eventually after a number of phases, Schoeman is able to bundle over the line to give his side the lead!
Jalibert is sent to the bin for a foul in that latest Scotland attack, with the referee warning Dupont about the number of French fouls a moment ago.
Russell makes the kick this time so Scotland have a five-point lead and a man advantage for the next 10 minutes.
02:43pm
31 mins: Scotland 12 France 14
Scotland are coming back once more and earn another penalty advantage, with Marchand in an offside position. Play is soon brought back and Dupont gets a warn from the referee over the number of French fouls.
Again, Scotland kick for the corner, turning down the chance to kick for the posts, this time finding touch down their right flank.
02:40pm
TRY! Scotland reduce deficit as Steyn finishes off excellent move
Scotland 12 France 14 (Steyn) It’s a training-round move from Scotland, executed perfectly!
The hosts win the penalty inside France’s half following a tackle off the ball and they opt to kick for the corner, with Russell taking his side to within 10 metres down their left.
Turner is found from the line-out and he runs inside before popping the ball back to Steyn, making the run from in to out, and the wing crosses in the corner.
Russell misses the conversion, though, so Scotland remain behind.
02:35pm
TRY! France score quickfire second through Attissogbe to take lead
Scotland 7 France 14 (Attissogbe) Scotland are penalised following a French line-out and the visitors can kick for touch down their right, into the Scottish half.
France work the ball really swiftly out to their left flank to Bielle-Biarrey, who opts for the grubber-kick down the line, and Attissogbe wins the race to cross for a quickfire second for his side.
The conversion is there once again from Ramos and France have a seven-point advantage.
02:31pm
TRY! France draw level as Bielle-Biarrey continues streak
Scotland 7 France 7 (Bielle-Biarrey) France are level and it’s that man again for the defending champions.
Following the Scottish scrum, just in front of their own line, Dupont does superbly to rip the ball from Tuipulotu. The visitors quickly shift the ball out to their left flank to Bielle-Biarrey, who crosses in the corner to score in a ninth successive Six Nations game.
Ramos makes the conversion and the scores are level.
02:28pm
17 mins: Scotland 7 France 0
France are coming forward once more, and after a few attacking phases they find themselves within 10 metres of the line, making hasty progress.
It’s worked out to the right and Jalibert goes for the delicate grubber through to Attissogbe but the bounce of the ball does not go the way of the Frenchman, who can’t take it into his grasp.
Scotland will have the scrum just in front of their line.
02:26pm
16 mins: Scotland 7 France 0
Attissogbe gets going down France’s right flank, but his offload inside looking for Bielle-Biarrey is slightly wayward and the promising chance is wasted.
Moments later, Jalibert opts for the cross-field kick out towards the left flank, but no one is there for the visitors and Russell can sweep up.
02:24pm
14 mins: Scotland 7 France 0
Scotland drive up the pitch really well, with Tuipulotu making a superb carry towards the French 22.
The hosts spill it, though, presenting the chance for a counter through Bielle-Biarrey, but the pacey wing can’t quite nudge the ball into his path.
France will have the scrum inside their own half.
02:22pm
12 mins: Scotland 7 France 0
There is a real “cup final” vibe to this. Even the awarding of scrums, for either team, are cheered maniacally by the various factions of the crowd. There is a chance that it might not be the high-scorer that many had predicted, but it still has all the ingredients for a classic. The capacity crowd at Murrayfield are hooked.
02:21pm
11 mins: Scotland 7 France 0
Scotland have the scrum but it’s right in front of their line, so the pressure remains on. But they win the penalty and Russell can kick for touch for a Scottish line-out.
02:20pm
10 mins: Scotland 7 France 0
France look for the instant response as they break down their left and there are appeals from France after Bielle-Biarrey goes the for kick and chase but goes down after colliding with Russell.
There will be no further action but France will have the line-out after Kinghorn swept up the kick and took it into touch. The visitors maul for the line but Cummings does superbly to force the turnover.
02:18pm
TRY! Graham gives Scotland an early lead
Scotland 7 France 0 (Graham) Scotland have an early lead and it’s their record try-scorer at it again.
After penetrating the French 22, the hosts work the ball out towards the right, and despite a slight fumble by Russell, he does manage to pop the ball off to Graham who can dart for the line.
The conversion is there from Russell and it’s a dream start for Townsend’s men.
02:15pm
5 mins: Scotland 0 France 0
There are no stoppages in the opening three minutes but the first one comes as Ramos spills a box-kick, with the sun potentially impeding the France full-back.
Scotland work the ball inside from the scrum and Jones is able to dart through a gap in the French defence to take his side up the visitors’ 22.
02:13pm
2 mins: Scotland 0 France 0
Scotland have emphasised the importance of a fast start this week and it’s been a solid opening couple of minutes from the hosts, with the two teams exchanging a series of box-kicks and giving nothing away.
02:11pm
1 min: Scotland 0 France 0
Two sterling renditions of the respective anthems there, full of emotion and vigour. With two sides who love to move the ball, under balmy skies, with the title somewhat on the line, there is no reason why this should not be a cracker.
02:11pm
1 min: Scotland 0 France 0
We are underway at Murrayfield, with France kicking things off, going from left to right in this opening period. A reminder of how things stand coming into this afternoon’s game:
02:06pm
Time for the national anthems
The players are out on the pitch at a sunny Murrayfield and it’s now time for the national anthems, with France up first.
02:03pm
Kick-off approaching
We are less than 10 minutes away from kick-off in Edinburgh, with the teams now gathering in the tunnel at Murrayfield.
The atmosphere is building nicely, with the thousands of French fans in full voice, hoping their team can wrap things up this afternoon.
02:00pm
‘Team that limits errors will come out on top’, says Townsend
Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend has told BBC Scotland this afternoon: “I think it’ll be a great game for supporters and we know there’s a lot of French here, two teams want to play positive open rugby, make the most of the opposition mistakes. So, probably a team that limits their errors is going to come out on top.
“Other experiences too [have made us steely], what happened in November has made us who we are, and I was really proud of the team in Rome, we did all we could to win that game
“The signs were there that we were together, we resilient, we finding solutions and we saw that in Cardiff and obviously the England game was a different game because we were ahead but that was positive to see that we not just held our lead but we grew in that second half as well.
“We have to make them uncomfortable, they’ve been getting, not away with things, but they’ve been able to play and get offloads away and we can’t give them any chinks in our defence.
“We’ve got to make sure that we are switched on on both sides of the field because they can switch play pretty quickly.
“We can’t give them any loose ball to attack off because they are the best in the world in those situations, but that’s more thinking about our defense.
“Our attack has to really go at them and we did that last year over in Paris and we had a lot of opportunities against them and that was created through hard work and really good work in contact and getting some of our very good attackers on the ball and that’s always our plan and we just have to deliver that today.”
01:58pm
Can Bielle-Biarrey continue streak?
Louis Bielle-Biarrey is aiming to score in his ninth consecutive Six Nations game, having bettered Tommy Freeman’s record of seven against Italy in France’s last outing.
Louis Bielle-Biarrey of France scores his team’s first try against Italy – David Rogers/Getty Images
01:54pm
‘It’s going to take an 80-minute performance’ – Tuipulotu on facing France
Discussing the challenge of facing France, Scotland captain SioneTuipulotu said this week: “The plan is to stay with them but also not to be uncomfortable if we’re ahead as well. Not to be uncomfortable if we’re behind. The job is to make France feel as uncomfortable as they can for as long as we can.
“For me, there is no game after this one. My mindset was the same when we were on a plane back from Italy. There was no game past England for me.
“France is the team that’s in front of us and anything the week after that, we’ll take care of that when we get there.
“The desperation of there not being another game after this one has worked for us up until this point, so there’s not any point in us changing that mentality. There is no other game after this if we don’t take care of this one.
“They know how to punish you when you make errors, so we’ve got to be careful that we don’t make too many of those. You do that, you control the game.
“We need to start fast, but against a quality team like that, starting fast isn’t going to win you the game. We’ve got to start fast and finish fast as well. It’s going to take an 80-minute performance, one that we know we’re capable of.”
Scotland’s Sione Tuipulotu during a press conference – Andrew Milligan/PA
01:52pm
France have full focus on Scotland test, says Dupont
France captain Antoine Dupont is keen for his side to avoid any kind of complacency against Scotland this weekend.
“It’s important to win competitions when you’re in a position to win them,” he said.
“Obviously, for many reasons, it will be more than positive to win this tournament, but we still have two games to play and today we’re far from it.
“The goal is to win the match. We know how difficult it is to win here. We don’t need to talk about the quality of the Scottish team, especially since the beginning of this tournament.
“Our main focus is here for the moment. We will have time to see what happens next.”
01:47pm
Final preparations in a sunny Murrayfield
Will we see some magic from these two this afternoon?
Finn Russell of Scotland warms up – Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
Antoine Dupont of France warms up – Stu Forster/Getty Images
01:43pm
France in ‘smallest changing room in the world’ for trip to Scotland
France’s head coach Fabien Galthié took aim at the size of Murrayfield’s away dressing room this week ahead of his side’s visit to Edinburgh.
“The stadium is a part of all of the exceptional Six Nations stadiums,” Galthié said. “The welcome… it is always very difficult to go to Scotland.
“The changing room, it is worth you knowing that it is, for me, the smallest in the world. It forces us to change in the corridors for an international match. We need to say it as it is.
“We have regularly asked if they could give us the room next door, which is available and is the other part of the dressing room, but we don’t have it. Therefore, we will continue to prepare and get changed in the corridor for a Test match.
“The referees’ dressing room is bigger than ours. It is just next to ours and it is bigger. Anyway, it sets the tone, we know what we’re getting into as soon as we arrive at the stadium.”
01:40pm
What France need
France will secure victory in this year’s Six Nations if they can claim a bonus point win in Edinburgh this afternoon.
Victory without a bonus point will still keep them on track for the Grand Slam and as heavy favourites to claim the title next weekend, given it would take them five points clear of Ireland in second.
A defeat with a losing bonus point would likely keep them top of the pile heading into the final round of action, while the only way they finish this weekend second is if they fail to secure a losing bonus point in a bonus point win for Scotland.
France head coach Fabien Galthie arrives – Andrew Milligan/PA
01:35pm
As things stand
France lead the way after taking maximum points from their opening three fixtures.
Despite Ireland climbing above Scotland with their 27-17 victory against Wales on Friday night, Townsend’s men could finish the day at the summit of the table with a bonus-point win over the defending champions.
01:31pm
Townsend on previous meetings with France
Scotland have won five of their 13 matches against France since Townsend took charge in 2017.
“It’s important for our players to remember how we set up to play against France, how the games have gone, whether that is just looking from 2023 onwards,” said Townsend.
“We’ve played them five times because we got them twice in the World Cup warm-ups. They’ve been games where we maybe had even more opportunities to win.
“They’re a top team, but it’s a team we’ve risen our game when we’ve played against them. We felt very frustrated not to win two years ago.
“And we felt frustrated in Saint-Etienne because that was a cracking game. We outscored them four tries to three. It was 27-all in the last minute of the game. They’ve been great fixtures.
“Hopefully that means this will be a really open game. But if it’s a 3-0 win, we’ll take that as well.”
01:29pm
Scotland focused on ‘staying in the championship’, says Townsend
Gregor Townsend said this week that his side have “not really talked about” the possibility of France clinching the title in Edinburgh, instead insisting that “it’s about what we can do, staying in the championship for another week”.
Scotland’s head coach added: “We know we’ve got that final game and things to play for in Dublin, but it’s about us winning. That’s what we’re here for.
“Whatever that means in the championship, we’ll see after the game but it’s about us delivering a winning performance.”
Asked if he felt it was possible to win the last two matches, Townsend said: “Yes. I believe in the group. Any game we go in to, we believe we can beat our opposition.
“We know we have to be up there at nine out of 10 level to beat these top teams and that’s what we’re working towards.
“France have shown over the last two or three games they’re the best attacking team in the world but it’s the next game that counts.”
Gregor Townsend arrives at Murrayfield – Stu Forster/Getty Images
01:24pm
The scene in Edinburgh
01:21pm
Those teams in full
Scotland: Kinghorn; Graham, Jones, Tuipulotu (capt), Steyn; Russell, White; Schoeman, Turner, Rae, Brown, Cummings, M. Fagerson, Darge, Dempsey.
Replacements: Ashman, Sutherland, Z. Fagerson, Gilchrist, Douglas, Bayliss, Horne, Jordan.
France: Ramos; Attissogbe, Depoortere, Moefana, Bielle-Biarry; Jalibert, Dupont (capt); Gros, Marchand, Aldegheri, Ollivon, Guillard, Cros, Jegou, Jelonch.
Replacements: Mauvaka, Neti, Bamba, Flament, Meafou, Serin, Barassi.
01:17pm
France team news – five changes from Italy win
France have made five changes to their line-up following the win over Italy, with Matthieu Jalibert, Yoram Moefana, Nicolas Depoortere, Charles Ollivon and Mickael Guillard coming into the side.
01:10pm
Scotland team news – Graham and Dempsey included
Gregor Townsend has made five starting changes to his Scotland team following their narrow victory in Wales.
The head coach brings Darcy Graham, Jack Dempsey, Pierre Schoeman, George Turner and D’Arcy Rae into the side, while Zander Fagerson does not make the XV in a Six Nations match for the first time since 2023, with Duhan van der Merwe also missing out.
01:05pm
French fans out in force
Edinburgh? More like Edimbourg. The Scottish capital is awash with Frenchmen and women, who have travelled in huge numbers. The press across the Channel reckon around 15,000 have made the journey but if my stroll from the Haymarket to Murrayfield is anything to go by, it may be even more.
With France currently on course for an 11th Grand Slam, there is an expectation and anticipation among their travelling support, many of whom might not even have tickets for today’s match. It feels like a home game for France, as things stand. It will be a mighty achievement should Scotland conquer the coqs today.
Fans of France begin to arrive at Murrayfield – Ian MacNicol/Getty Images
01:01pm
France aiming to seal title in Edinburgh
Good afternoon and welcome to Telegraph Sport’s live coverage of Scotland vs France from the Six Nations at Murrayfield with the visitors looking to secure a second successive title and maintain hopes of a record fifth Grand Slam.
Having claimed comfortable bonus-point victories over Ireland, Wales and Italy in their opening three games, Fabien Galthie’s side can wrap up this year’s tournament with a game to spare with another bonus-point win in Edinburgh.
But France captain Antoine Dupont has stressed the importance of avoiding complacency against Scotland, who he said have “surely the best attack of the championship”. The scrum-half added: “The goal is to win the match. We know how difficult it is to win here.”
As for Scotland, they will not just be aiming to halt a French Grand Slam procession, but they will be attempting to keep their hopes alive of a first-ever Six Nations title ahead of their final game in Dublin next weekend.
Gregor Townsend’s side started the weekend in second place, four points adrift of Les Blues, with a narrow win against Wales and a more dominant triumph over England keeping them in contention after a shock defeat in Italy on the opening weekend.
Despite Ireland climbing above Scotland with their 27-17 victory against Wales on Friday night, this afternoon’s hosts could finish the day at the summit of the table with a bonus-point win over the defending champions.
Townsend said this week that his side have “not really talked about” the possibility of France clinching the title in Edinburgh, instead insisting that “it’s about what we can do, staying in the championship for another week”.
Scotland have won five of their 13 games against France under the 52-year-old, who has full belief his side can make it six. “I believe in the group,” he said. “Any game we go into I believe we can beat our opposition.”
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