France overpower Scotland to win Six Nations title

Men’s Six Nations

France (16) 35

Tries: Moefana (2), Bielle-Biarrey, Ramos Cons: Ramos (3) Pens: Ramos (3)

Scotland (13) 16

By ultimately defeating a stubborn Scotland in Paris, France won the Six Nations championship with a win and defeated England’s hopes.

With a thumping win over Wales, Steve Borthwick’s men climbed to the top of the table, but the French took on the challenge.

Their four tries, which broke the English record set in 2001, did more than win the title in fantastic style; they also added 30 to the total for the entire tournament.

The first of Yoram Moefana’s two tries and a penalty from Thomas Ramos, who later passed over Frederic Michalak as France’s all-time top points scorer, gave his team a 10-0 lead at the break.

Jamie Ritchie’s yellow card for Scotland did not help, but as the visitors arrived, France’s discipline faltered, leading to Peato Mauvaka and Jean-Baptiste Gros sin-binned in a fractious opening 40.

France led 16-13 at the break thanks to a penalty from Finn Russell and a try from Darcy Graham, who had already been denied a Tom Jordan score just before the break.

However, there they took control of the place. French dominance in the second half was weak in the first half.

Ritchie was binned as a result of the subsequent French offensive, which Ramos made it 3-0 with the boot.

Scotland was frantically trying to survive, but it had only a short window of survival.

The dam eventually burst when Gael Fickou skillfully handled Zander Fagerson before scoring Moefana for Ramos to convert him.

The title-chasers had a dreamy beginning, but as Scotland entered the country, that feeling gradually faded. They played with a level of abandon and risked falling for France because they were orchestrated by Russell.

As Scotland began to question questions toward the end of the half.

Ritchie came back, Ramos fired over a second penalty, and Scotland scored a try to stop the Stade.

Russell managed to keep France moving in a certain way. He popped a stunning inside pass to Graham before escaping to score from Uini Atonio.

With only one more point, Russell’s conversion made it 3-0.

They were a world away from the dominant force that performed such a number on Ireland last weekend, perhaps spooked by Scotland’s freewheeling approach.

That would undoubtedly change, but France had to work their way to some difficult situations first. When Russell and Ramos exchange penalties, Gros was yellow-carded for a high tackle, and they became more agitated.

Then, as half-time approached, Scotland launched a devastating counter-attack against Blair Kinghorn, who scythed through the French defense.

Les Bleus received respite, and from there, they thundered home triumphantly.

Romain Ntamack found Bielle-Biarrey on his shoulder after Russell and Graham got their wires crossed in the attack.

In what has turned out to be a fantastic season, the Bordeaux wing made yet another attempt.

Scotland were still seven before France sent them away in quick order thanks to Russell’s penalty.

The formidable French bench was in place and had a significant impact. The Ramos try, which ended up 28-16, was a result of French maul power, which sapped visitors’ energy.

Ramos converted his own score, leaving the game with 14 points and, in essence, a done deal.

Bielle-Biarrey, Fickou, Moefana, and France’s fourth and second, both had stunning victories. Both utterly beautiful and ruminationless.

At the last whistle, the home fans erupted. The absent icon, Antoine Dupont, who had more than anyone else to deliver this night of nights, was the subject of the cameras’ ire.

They would have preferred to have him residing elsewhere, but they were not.

Replacements: 16-Marchand, 17-Baille, 18-Aldegheri, 19-Auradou, 20-Meafou, 21-Jegou, 22-Jelonch, 23-Le Garrec.

Scotland: 15-Kinghorn, 14-Graham, 13-Jones, 12-Jordan, 11-Van der Merwe, 10-Russell (co-capt), 9-White, 1-Schoeman, 2-Cherry, 3-Z Fagerson, 4-Brown, 5-Gilchrist, 6-Ritchie, 7-Darge (co-capt), 8-M Fagerson.