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Wales were crowned Guinness Six Nations Champion when Duhan Van Der Merwe’s last-minute attempt earned Scotland its first victory in France this century.
Rance needed to score four attempts and beat Scotland by 21 points to deny Wales the title, but the visitors surprised their hosts with a 27-23 victory.
Two tries by Van Der Merwe and one by replacement hooker Dave Cherry secured Scotland’s first victory in Paris since 1999 despite seeing cards for Stuart Hogg and Finn Russell.
Brice Dulin, Damian Penaud and Swan Rebbadj crossed for the hosts but never seemed to have the energy to deliver a double blow to Wales after dramatically denying Wayne Pivac’s team the Grand Slam six days earlier.
It was another rare away win for the Scots after wins in Wales and England in the last six months.
Scotland were quick to press and France showed the kind of ambition they would need when they made a fast pitch and tried to get out of trouble after Russell kicked the ball into touch two meters from their try line.
It didn’t take long for the locals to exert some pressure, but all they could show was Romain Ntamak’s penalty after nine minutes.
Scotland soon gained dominance and elected twice to kick two touch penalties within the 22 French. Hooker George Turner was stopped just before the line every time he charged from the back of the lineout maul, but Van Der Merwe was forced to pass the second time in the 15th minute.
There were suspicions of double movement, but referee Wayne Barnes tried it without choosing to take a second look.
Russell scored the two points and produced another brilliant long kick that stayed three feet from the try line. The Scots fell on their opponents and Jamie Ritchie forced Dulin’s penalty, which Russell kicked to put Scotland up seven points.
Another big kick into touch from Hogg put France on the back foot, but the hosts cut the deficit when Ntamak shot a long-range penalty after a scrum infraction.
Around half an hour, the locals prevailed and Scotland launched a series of penalties in front of the post.
The pressure was felt when Van Der Merwe sold too soon after a long pitch from Antoine Dupont. Penaud passed inside for Dulin to cross in the 36th minute and Ntamack converted brilliantly.
Hogg paid the price for conceding Scotland’s 11th first-half penalty in the final minute, but Nick Haining stole the five-meter shot to keep France’s lead at halftime at three.
Scotland restricted France’s scoring to five points during Hogg’s period in the no bin, when Penaud picked up Virimi Vakatawa’s volley, threw the ball over Ali Price and landed in the corner.
Scotland regained control after the numbers evened out. Russell kicked a penalty from close range and Sam Johnson was stopped five meters from the line after bursting forward after another successful lineout.
It was France’s turn to shoot a series of penalties and Cherry picked up a loose ball after a lineout before going through a gap and more. Russell converted to put Scotland back in front.
Rebbadj passed five minutes later, but Ntamack missed the conversion and Scotland missed a good opportunity to level up in favor of kicking into touch, but Cherry’s lineout was stolen.
Gregor Townsend’s side was still building up pressure when Russell was sent off in the 71st minute after catching Dulin close to the throat with his elbow as he tried to defend himself from the wing.
Any hopes of another surprising France finish were undone in two minutes when Baptiste Serin received a yellow card and Scotland again opted to press for the try rather than go over the posts.
The pressure was relentless and Scotland finally rallied when they found winger Van Der Merwe on the left. Adam Hastings added the points to round out a spectacular championship.
PA media
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