Their expectations of arriving at the last currently lay on whether Italy can beat France in Paris one week from now.
The sides were level at the break, however close to the restart Virimi Vakatawa asserted the game’s just attempt.
Scotland needed to hold tight against rehashed French assaults, yet their daring shielding went unrewarded.
Gregor Townsend’s side were focusing on a 6th back to back Test win for just the third time ever, and the first since 1990, yet they were never in a triumphant situation against the French.
France’s success closes a run of four progressive annihilations at Murrayfield, and is their first success in Edinburgh since 2014.
First half kicking duel
The last gathering of these sides conveyed a wide range of firecrackers; a red card for the French when Mohamed Haouas punched Jamie Ritchie in the gob, a protest from France that Nick Haining ought to have been shipped off as well, for connecting with Haouas’ eyes and, obviously, a Scotland triumph – their fourth in succession against the guests in Edinburgh.
There was sassy late history, at that point. France showed up with goal and no limit of intensity, their first enormous destroy of the day harvesting a punishment which Ramos slammed over. The full-back put over another inside minutes after Kinghorn pretty much won a pursuit to the line in front of Vakatawa. At the point when play returned for the punishment, Ramos made it 6-0.
These were marginally unpropitious minutes for the Scots, however they’re made of sterner stuff nowadays. In the past they may have let the scoreboard move away from them. This time, they dove in and ripped at their way back. Weir, objective kicking like a blessed messenger, made it 6-3 and afterward leveled it when Gregory Alldritt completed at a breakdown.
The kicking duel continued. France attempted to release their ponies yet Scotland’s protection ended them. Jalibert, having seen enough of the force game, dropped back and dropped an objective all things considered. Weir answered when Dylan Cretin neglected to roll away after continued Scotland pressure; 9-9.
Two further punishments made it 12-12 preceding a convincing finish to the half. France had a lineout five meters out and a batter that looked unequipped for being halted. They worked it to the line and started up their heavies. You’d have wagered the house on them getting through, however they didn’t. Held up, they withdrew with something moving toward fierceness scratched all over.
Scotland need to hold tight
Not for long, however. Their first assault of the new half observed an inside and out various result. Valuable little was seen of France’s deadly sprinters to that point. Antoine Dupont hushed up, Gael Fickou had offered nothing, Vakatawa was quieted.
That changed inside two minutes. A strong French scrum, a Fickou pass to Vincent Rattez and Scotland were in a difficult situation. The wing cut through and discovered Vakatawa on his shoulder. With that force and from that range, there was nothing that should be possible to stop him, however Stuart Hogg did his damndest.
The transformation made it 19-12, yet a fifth Weir punishment limited the hole in brisk request. How Scotland endure the following 10 minutes surrendering just three focuses was a minor marvel – or a demonstration of their scramble protection.
France’s advances overwhelmed the breakdown, their backs became compelling, their ball was faster and their danger developed. They dispatched several hammers that motored downfield. Scotland were holding tight, consistently nearer to their own line. In the end, they settled on a decision that an ensured three focuses was superior to slamming ceaselessly throughout the night for five or seven. Ramos put it over. A seven-point hole now.
The endgame was rough and peculiar. Scotland were granted a lineout five meters from the French line regardless of Hogg pushing Fickou in the back off the ball in the introduction. A colossal chance – and a gigantic French protective set, Dylan Cretin demolishing Scotland’s opportunity of a lifetime. France at that point had a punishment in their own half, Ramos picked objective, to a limited extent to wind the clock down, at that point hurried it for reasons unknown.
His kick missed the mark. France recovered it and showed it out on full. Scotland recovered it and with time essentially up they had a punishment. Hogg went for contact – and kicked it dead. A droll finish to a fight. A full stop on Scotland’s triumphant run.
Scotland: Hogg (c); Kinghorn, Harris, Johnson, Van der Merwe, Weir, Price; Kebble, Brown, Berghan; Cummings, Gray; Ritchie, Watson, M Fagerson.
Substitutions: Turner, Bhatti, Z Fagerson, Skinner, Thomson, Hidalgo-Clyne, Taylor, Maitland.
France: Ramos; Thomas, Vakatawa, Fickou, Rattez; Jalibert, Dupont; Gros, Chat, Bamba; Le Roux, Taofifenua; Cretin, Ollivon (c), Alldritt
Substitutions: Marchand, Baille, Haouas, Willemse, Woki, Couilloud, Carbonel, Vincent
-BBC
