Scotland sealed the Six Nations title race with a record 50-40 bonus point victory over France at a jubilant Murrayfield.
France traveled to Edinburgh looking for the bonus points they needed to defend their title with one game remaining, but departed with their Grand Slam hopes dashed.
Scotland took the lead through Darcy Graham’s goal, but France hit back with quick tries from Louis Vier-Bialley and Theo Attisogbe, before crosses from Kyle Steyn and Pierre Schoeman meant they had to regain control before half-time.
Graham and Stein then doubled their tally, with goals from Ben White and Tom Jordan in between, as Scotland picked up the momentum and tore apart France in the second half.
This surge gave Scotland a commanding lead of 47-14, moving them ahead of France, but late tries from Antoine Dupont, Thomas Ramos (2 goals) and Pierre-Louis Barassy gave Les Bleus a loss and a bonus point, keeping them at the top of the table on goal difference.
Victory leaves Scotland with a chance to win their first Six Nations ahead of a trip to Ireland in Round 5, but they will need some goodwill from England after France’s second-half salvo ensured their fate remained in Paris.
Scotland lose heavily in Six Nations title race
Scotland got off to a perfect start as Graham raced through a gap to score on the right in the fifth minute after receiving a feed from Finn Russell.
It was the first time France had been on the back foot in this year’s championship, but Les Bleus soaked up more pressure and equalized in the 18th minute when Dupont stole the ball from Sione Tuipulotu, before Matthieu Jalibert finished with a deadly Biel Bialley.
Four minutes later, the visitors scored again when Biel Bialley’s grubber sent Atissogbe out, with Ramos converting to put France 14-7 ahead.
But Scotland regained momentum. With a deft lineout move, George Turner flicked the ball to Stein, who cut sharply down the inside line to score.
Moments later, sustained pressure near the France line ended with Schoeman overpowering and Jalibert being shown a yellow card for a persistent offside violation.
Tom Jordan left mangled after scoring Scotland’s seventh try against France
Scotland were unable to extend their five-point lead during the sin-bin period, but they immediately attacked with White sniping from close range upon Jalibert’s return.
The hosts tightened their game even further in the 51st minute when Dupont, under pressure from White, threw a loose pass straight to Stein, who sprinted clear.
Graham then ducked in to score his second goal just before time was up, with French substitute Leni Nouci diving and sin-binned for offside. Scotland added another man in the 64th minute when substitute Jordan fell.
At this stage Scotland were in the lead but things got rough towards the end.
France gained momentum in the closing stages, scoring four tries through Dupont, Ramos (twice) and Barassy, earning them a crucial defeat bonus point and leading the table heading into a delicious Super Saturday.
Townsend: “We’re a different team since we lost to Argentina”
Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend told BBC Sport:
“It was a great day for our supporters. It was a great game of rugby. The second half, that third quarter, showed us at our best. It’s not just about the rugby we play, it’s about our mindset to keep attacking.”
“A lot of teams will defend that lead against France, but we know we’ll continue to play the way we got there in the first place.”
“It hurt to lose, but it was a fine line. We had to face some truths,” he said when he led by 21 points and lost to Argentina in November.
“We have been a different team since then. Despite the scoreline, we saw it in Rome, we saw it in Cardiff and we saw it today.
“We have to play again against quality opponents – let’s see what we can do in Dublin
“(Losing to) Italy was part of the journey. We didn’t get off to a fast start, but the team kept coming together after that and produced a performance we can be proud of against England the following week.”
“I enjoy being with you, but I have something really important to do next week.”
