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:
The bold call that paid off for France against Ireland – and why it is controversial
It’s a seven/one bench again for France, the power-packed unit ever more en vogue in the international game. But not all are fans of the tactic - including Scotland boss Gregor Townsend...
The bold call that paid off for France against Ireland – and why it is controversial
Six Nations permutations
With the action just getting underway in Rome, here are all the permutations you need to know on what could be a wild day of Six Nations action:
Six Nations title permutations: What France, England and Ireland need to lift trophy
Gael Fickou comes in from the cold as France and Scotland name teams for Six Nations decider
France have brought in centre Gael Fickou and scrum half Maxime Lucu for the injured Antoine Dupont in two changes from the team that crushed Ireland to face Scotland in Saturday's Six Nations finale at the Stade de France.
Dupont ruptured anterior cruciate ligaments after his knee buckled under pressure from the Irish defence at the back of a ruck, while Fickou has been called up by head coach Fabian Galthie after Pierre-Louis Barassi suffered a concussion at the Aviva Stadium. The 30-year-old Fickou has not appeared in the Six Nations this year after he fractured his thumb playing for club side Racing 92 earlier in the season.
Gael Fickou returns as France and Scotland name teams for Six Nations decider
France vs Scotland LIVE
Here we are, then, the final fixture of this year’s Six Nations. A title is within reach for France after seizing control of their own destiny last weekend - but can a Scottish side that has a habit of surprising their hosts do England and Ireland a favour?
Kick off in Paris is at 8pm GMT.
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