France have fuelled their grand slam quest and ended Scotland’s Six Nations title dream in a stylish 36-17 win at Murrayfield.
The French, the only remaining unbeaten team in this season’s Six Nations, delivered the killer blows against a strong and defiant Scotland side on Saturday with their third try right on halftime and a fourth try right after the break.
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Scotland blew a great chance to lead at halftime but captain Stuart Hogg dropped a pass with the tryline gaping.
France rubbed it in when they pressed a tiring Scotland into injury time of the first half and centre Gael Fickou backed himself to beat the flagging cover for a converted try and 19-10 lead at the break.
Antoine Dupont (Photo By Brendan Moran/Sportsfile via Getty Images)
Then, less than two minutes into the new half, France forced a turnover and the ball was quickly given to wing Damian Penaud.
He chipped ahead, the Scottish over-ran the bounce, and the trailing Jonathan Danty accepted the gift and an easy run-in.
At 26-10, France had a four-try bonus point and sucked the tension out of a packed and hostile Murrayfield, where they hadn’t won since 2014.
Scotland cost France winning the last two Six Nations, but the visitors’ counter-attacking skills and inspired defence earned a measure of revenge by handing the Scots their heaviest defeat at Murrayfield in the championship in seven years.
The French finished with a six-try statement on the road and were halfway to a grand slam and their first title in 12 years with Wales next in Cardiff in two weeks, followed by England in Paris on the last weekend.
But Scotland are out of the title race after a second straight defeat, the opening win over England a distant memory after losses to Wales and the formidable French.
© AAP
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