Scotland’s perfect Six Nations record ends as poor start proves costly

Gregor Townsend’s side were torn apart early on as the hosts took a 19-0 lead through attempts from Romain Ntamack, Ethan Dumortier and Thomas Ramos. This frenetic period also included red cards for Scotland’s Grant Gilchrist and France’s Mohamed Haouas.

The Scots bounced back with two tries from Huw Jones and one from Finn Russell, but the hosts dashed hopes of a famous comeback with a late try from Gael Fickou.

France made the breakthrough in the fifth minute when Ntamack sped past down the left after being set up by Antoine Dupont, who collected the ball from the back of a ruck. Ramos duly cheered on the conversion.

Things got even worse for the Scots just two minutes later when Gilchrist was shown the red card – following a TMO review – for appearing to have planted his shoulder in Anthony Jelonch’s face. The Frenchman had to leave to be replaced by Francois Cros.

The hosts made the extra man count in seconds when Dumortier presented an easy touchdown down the left flank after good work from Ntamack and Dupont to create the opener. Ramos hit the post in his attempt to convert.

With Scotland in danger of being blown away, flanker Hamish Watson had to be sacrificed in the 10th minute to make way for substitute Jonny Gray, who was able to fill the gap left by Gilchrist.

The eventful start of the game continued in the 12th minute when France’s Haouas – who received a red card against Scotland in 2020 – was sent off for flying around the side and banging with Ben White.

Equalizing the numbers didn’t stop the hosts, however, and they got their third try of the game in the 19th minute when Ramos capitalized on an easy pass from Russell in the Scottish half and the full-back fired clearly down the left touchline before touching down behind the post. The try scorer then added the conversion himself from close range.

Scotland finally started to settle into the game and they got their first points in the 26th minute when Jones jumped over from a Russell assist. Russell started the conversion successfully.

The French went into the break with a 15-point lead after Ramos kicked a penalty in the 36th minute.

Scotland extended their deficit three minutes into the second half when Jones prevailed for his second try of the game after being set up by Sione Tuipulotu. With the conversion, Russell was back in fashion.

Another Ramos penalty in the 56th minute gave France an 11-point lead, but the Scots stayed on the rise and they got a third try in the 68th minute when Russell looped wide from Ali Price’s substitution. The try scorer kicked the conversion.

The Scots were just four points away from what would have been a famous comeback but the French regained their composure in the closing stages when Fickou scored a try in the 79th minute which was converted by Ramos to save the result to raise doubts.