Perhaps it was too little too late, but a gutsy, determined Scotland team gave France a fright as the hosts ultimately ran out 36-16 winners meaning that the Six Nations championship was theirs once again.
Yoram Moefana, Romain Ntamack, and Louis Bielle-Biarrey excelled: the former and latter taking well-earned tries. Thomas Ramos, again imperious at full-back, became their all-time top-scorer. A legion of French forwards repeatedly repelled Caledonian offences.
But Scotland, even after shipping four tries, still turned in their finest performance of the tournament: a fearless display that may well see a select few push for the Lions squad. Darcy Graham had the Midas touch, a hot knife through French butter. Finn Russell pulled the strings: his inside ball to Graham saw the wing haring under the posts. The fly-half, faultless from the tee, converted.
Last year, a late Scottish try against France was given correctly as grounded, then the decision bafflingly overturned. Once again, officiating intervened, as a stunning Tom Jordan effort on the cusp of half-time was chalked off. Blair Kinghorn, Scotland’s star this Championship, was seen to have strayed into touch but only by the barest of margins. No replay was shown, but referee Matthew Carley was adamant in his decision. More frustration came when Peato Mauvaka headbutted a prone Ben White, and yet still Carley only gave the French hooker a yellow.
Although the Scots fought right to the end, the robust French defence, augmented by seven forwards, would not be denied and as such the Stade de France erupted with noise upon hearing the final whistle.
In the end France deserved their win, and probably the Championship, but Scotland showed a belief that had been missing all tournament.
Image credits: “Stade de France Rugby France vs Angleterre (fumigène dans les tribunes) – panoramio” by bigup21 is licensed under CC BY 3.0.