France v Scotland LIVE: Result and reaction as Les Bleus clinch Six Nations title to deny England
France 35-16 Scotland: Les Bleus shook off the pressure with a superb second-half display to clinch the championship title ahead of England
France beat Scotland 35-16 at the Stade de France to clinch the Six Nations title for the first time since 2022.
Their fourth win of the competition left them on 21 points, one ahead of England who beat Wales earlier in the day to pile the pressure on Les Bleus. Defending champions Ireland finished third on 19 after beating Italy in Rome.
Fabien Galthie’s side had ensured that their fate was in their own hands with their dismantling of Ireland last weekend, seizing control of the Six Nations. A win of any kind was always going to be enough to secure the crown and in a thrilling finale, they produced a scintillating second-half display to claim a second title win of the Galthie era.
Defeat for Scotland brought a disappointing campaign to an end. Hopes of a title challenge did not materialise for Gregor Townsend’s men after their run of Calcutta Cup dominance came to an end, and the Scots threatened to throw away a strong lead against Wales in the penultimate round, too. Questions my now be raised about Townsend’s future as Scotland coach
Relive the action from the Stade de France in our live blog below:
France vs Scotland talking points: No Dupont, no problem?
France go into their night of destiny without talismanic captain Antoine Dupont after he suffered an ACL injury in Dublin last week. While they would prefer to have him on the pitch for their big night, they can draw some solace from the fact they had to adapt to being without him throughout last year’s campaign and also for a small part of the 2023 World Cup. Les Bleus can call on a pretty handy replacement in Bordeaux’s Maxime Lucu, and their depth of options to cover for Dupont is highlighted by the fact their fourth-choice scrum-half Baptiste Serin is currently ahead of Scotland starter Ben White in the Toulon pecking order.
France vs Scotland talking points: French eyes on the prize
A partisan atmosphere awaits the Scots, with an expectant French crowd hoping to see their side claim the victory that will secure a first Six Nations title since 2022 and only a second championship triumph since 2010. A win for the visitors would pave the way for England or Ireland – who both play earlier in the day – to claim the honours, but Les Bleus have been in scintillating form for much of the tournament and will be confident of seizing their big chance under the Saturday-night lights at a packed Stade de France.
Gregory Alldritt urges France to seize the moment
Gregory Alldritt has urged France to make their mark on history by closing out Six Nations glory against Scotland in Paris.
The Stade de France will be packed with expectant Les Bleus supporters for the championship finale, with the hosts knowing victory will secure their first title since 2022 and only their second triumph since 2010.
"There's a lot of excitement, it matters to all of us," said La Rochelle back-rower Alldritt, who will captain the side in the absence of Antoine Dupont, who suffered an ACL injury against Ireland last weekend.
"We're all motivated and we all can't wait for tomorrow night. It has been a formidable Six Nations so far.
“A title would be a further step for us, there's nothing mundane in that. Lifting a title, leaving your mark on history, seeing family members smiling in the crowds, making them proud are unforgettable moments. That's what you play for.
"Our visit to Invalides (war veteran museum and residency) strengthened that, speaking to those war veterans they said they are sensitive to our results. It adds a little more desire to what we do in the week and why we wear the shirt on the weekend."
Gregor Townsend confident Scotland can match France
Gregor Townsend believes Scotland have shown enough quality against France in recent seasons to go to Paris with optimism for tonight’s Six Nations finale.
The Scots face what their head coach described as "probably the biggest challenge in world rugby right now" as they bid to stop Les Bleus landing the victory they are likely to require to seal a first title since 2022 at Stade de France.
However, Townsend is heartened by the way his team have performed against the French recently.
The last three meetings between the the teams have all been decided by three or four points, while the Scots - who won in Paris in 2021 - were in contention for victory on their last Six Nations trip to the French capital two years ago, until the hosts scored late to seal a 32-21 win.
"From our perspective, we've played well in the (France) games," said Townsend. "We've had to recover at times from two red cards in the last two or three games against them.
"One, we got back into position two years ago at Stade de France to really put them under pressure (in the 2023 Six Nations) and then a World Cup warm-up game (at Murrayfield) to come back and win with 14 men.
"We've gone well in this fixture, our players are a quality group, they thrive in that atmosphere. They thrive with the challenge and this is what we're asking them to do again this weekend."
Six Nations Super Saturday rolls on
Still a little while yet before France and Scotland begin their preparations in earnest for tonight, which might allow the hosts particularly to have half-an-eye on events in Cardiff. Kick off is imminent under the roof as England look to put the pressure on and Wales attempt to end their long losing run...
Wales vs England LIVE: Latest build-up and updates from Six Nations
Fabien Galthie urges France to keep focus with title on the line
Fabien Galthie has urged his side to fulfil their ambitions as France bid to handle the pressure with a title within reach.
"Basically, nothing has changed since the win in Ireland. We've had the same dynamic for the last six years, we've had great successes and losses that hurt," Galthie told a press conference on Thursday.
"We're still committed to developing our players and being ambitious. We have great ambition and high standards to take the French team to the top no matter what happens.
"Last weekend's result made that a reality but our challenge this weekend calls that achievement into question."
Romain Ntamack hits out at Six Nations double standards over ban
France fly-half Romain Ntamack feels it is "totally incomprehensible" that the terms of his suspension differed to the sanction handed to Ireland centre Garry Ringrose.
Ntamack returned to action in Les Bleus' 42-27 victory in Dublin last weekend after missing two Six Nations matches following his red card in the round-one win over Wales.
Ringrose was available to feature in Ireland's championship finale away to Italy today having sat out only one Test match - Ireland's defeat to France - as punishment for his dismissal against the Welsh.
While Ringrose was permitted to count a Leinster fixture as part of his ban, Toulouse playmaker Ntamanck was unable to include a club match in his punishment.
"There is an injustice here, because I believe our case was also based around how one of the matches in my suspension I would play for Toulouse," the 25-year-old said ahead of Saturday's game against Scotland.
"And when 10 days later the complete opposite (for Ringrose) is decided in contrast to what the commission told me that is in every shape and form totally incomprehensible.
"I think we must start pounding our fist on the table because it is time these decisions going against us and costing us dearly stop."
BBC and ITV secure new Six Nations deal to keep championship on free-to-air television
The Six Nations will remain on free-to-air television in the United Kingdom after ITV and BBC agreed a new deal to show the competition through to 2029.
The rights in the United Kingdom had been up for grabs at the end of the broadcasters’ existing agreement, which concludes after this tournament
It was feared that parts of the championship would go behind a paywall with TNT Sports declaring interest in bidding, though the subscription channel cautioned that a “challenging” landscape would make it difficult to capture the competition.
And it has now been confirmed that the terrestrial broadcasters have again struck a deal to show the men’s competition over the next four years.
BBC and ITV secure new Six Nations deal
Finn Russell urges Scotland to add some sheen to Six Nations campaign in Paris
Finn Russell challenged Scotland to add some sheen to their Guinness Six Nations campaign in Paris as he lamented the fact they have only a “disruptor” role to play in this weekend’s three-way shootout for the title.
The Scots are set to end the championship as also-rans once more after their home defeat by Ireland on match-day two was followed by an agonising 16-15 loss away to England, in which Russell missed all three of his conversion attempts, including a last-minute kick that would have won the Calcutta Cup.
With just two home wins over Italy and Wales to their name, co-captain Russell believes a rare away victory over title-chasing France would go a long way to enhancing how their hitherto underwhelming campaign was viewed by the Scottish public.
Finn Russell urges Scotland to add some sheen to Six Nations campaign in Paris
Darcy Graham ‘very lucky’ to be back in action after avoiding serious injury
Scotland wing Darcy Graham declared himself “very lucky” to have been able to return and continue his participation in this year’s Six Nations after his “nasty” accident in last month’s defeat by Ireland.
The 27-year-old was taken to hospital after becoming unconscious following a sickening clash with team-mate Finn Russell in the first half against Ireland at Murrayfield on February 9.
Graham’s injuries turned out not to be as bad as first feared and after sitting out the Calcutta Cup defeat against England, he was back on the pitch on Saturday and scored the 30th Test try of his career in Scotland’s 35-29 home victory over Wales.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments