Scotland threw the Six Nations title race wide open with an epic win over France at Murrayfield.
Les Bleus had travelled to Edinburgh seeking a bonus-point victory to secure the retention of their title with a round to spare, but were stunned in a remarkable 50-40 defeat. A captivating contest from the outset, Scotland were sublime in putting their previously unbeaten visitors to the sword, shattering their grand slam dreams and ensuring that Gregor Townsend’s side will travel to Dublin in the hunt for a first Six Nations championship.
Wings Kyle Steyn and Darcy Graham helped themselves to two tries apiece, with seven scores in all from the Scots as they hit a half-century for the first time in this fixture. Perhaps crucially, though, France collected six of their own to take a bonus point in defeat and remain top of the table entering “Super Saturday” next weekend.
Follow all of the latest from the Six Nations clash with our live blog below:
Scotland vs France live
- Scotland beat France 50-40 in one of the greatest Six Nations matches of all time
- Scotland now head into the final day of the championship right in the title hunt, level on points with table-topping France
- REPORT: Sublime Scotland shatter France’s grand slam dreams on greatest Six Nations day
Sione Tuipulotu: 'I could not be prouder'
16:44 , Luke BakerScotland captain Sione Tuipulotu also spoke to the BBC after that win.
“Considering how this tournament started for us, we believe now, the tournament is not over for us,” said Tuipulotu.
“I could not be prouder to be captain of this team. We've got ourselves an opportunity next week
“We stuck together after a tough first round and tough autumn and have now given ourselves one more job to do next week.
“Couldn't be happier for him [Gregor Townsend], we rallied behind our coach. One more week to finish the job.”
Kyle Steyn: 'You knew it was going to be a great day'
16:30 , Luke BakerKyle Steyn was superb for Scotland and named player of the match. He spoke to the BBC after the match
Steyn, on the leg injury that forced him off: “I’m ok, it’s just a big ugly gash. Yeah [I'll be back for next week].”
On the victory: “I think we knew you couldn't come and try contain them, you had to fire shots at them.
“You just knew it was going to be a great day. It was all about making sure we fired the first shot.
“I was more worried about how much we were celebrating, we needed to get our feet on the ground and keep going.”
WATCH: Tom Jordan scores Scotland's seventh try
16:21 , Luke BakerSeven tries for Scotland in total on this most remarkable of days - here was the last of those from Tom Jordan
France still top of the table - but only just...
16:10 , Luke BakerIt is going to be some Super Saturday... France stay top of the table on points difference thanks to snatching a four-try bonus point but Scotland are now level on points with Les Bleus!
France, Scotland and Ireland are all in the title hunt heading into the final round of fixtures. Buckle up!
Sublime Scotland shatter France’s grand slam dreams on greatest Six Nations day
16:05 , Luke BakerScotland enjoyed perhaps their greatest Six Nations day as they shattered France’s grand slam dreams to throw the championship wide open.
The hosts were simply sublime in a remarkable 50-40 victory at Murrayfield, and will go to Dublin to face Ireland on the final day with a shot at the title.
There were seven tries in all from Gregor Townsend’s side, putting a previously unbeaten team most definitively to the sword with a scintillating display of attacking rugby.
Wings Darcy Graham and Kyle Steyn helped themselves to two tries apiece, with Finn Russell orchestrating matters superbly from fly half as the Scots crossed 50 against France for the first time.
While Les Bleus did manage to secure a potentially vital four-try bonus point in defeat late on, the prospect of a grand slam-securing coronation in the tournament’s final fixture against England on “Super Saturday” was swept away.
Scotland shatter France’s grand slam dreams on greatest Six Nations day
FULL-TIME! Scotland 50-40 France
16:01 , Luke BakerWow! Just wow! The most incredible game you’ll ever see.
It ends with Scotland winning a 90-point thriller and bang in the title hunt. France’s late surge at least keeps them top of the table on points difference but Ireland, France and Scotland will all head to the final day dreaming of Six Nations glory
TRY! Scotland 50-40 FRANCE (Thomas Ramos, 80 minutes)
15:58 , Luke BakerOf course there’s time for another try and it takes the combined total to 90 points! The greatest match in Six Nations history?
Jalibert with the line break, bursting through a gap and he offloads to Thomas Ramos in support for one final score under the sticks. Phew! Easy conversion to round things off
Scotland 50-33 France, 80 minutes
15:57 , Luke BakerWhat a ludicrous game this has been. Final knockings now though
TRY! Scotland 50-33 FRANCE (Oscar Jegou, 79 minutes)
15:56 , Luke BakerStill time for another French try from the claimed kick-off! Gorgeous hands in the 22, Bielle-Biarrey flipping the ball out of the tackle to Oscar Jegou on the left flank who gets round the outside and dots down for the score.
Josh Bayliss sent to the sin-bin for a foul in the build-up for good measure.
Scotland 50-26 France, 79 minutes
15:54 , Luke BakerNo scot claims the kick-off, it bounces loose and Jegou jumps on the ball
PENALTY! SCOTLAND 50-26 France (Finn Russell, 78 minutes)
15:54 , Luke BakerIt takes a minute off the clock AND brings up the half-century of points for Scotland against France for the very first time. So Finn Russell slots the three. He’s seven from eight from the tee.
Scotland 47-26 France, 76 minutes
15:52 , Luke BakerScotland swarm forward and Nouchi is caught offside, so a penalty is coming. Sutherland carries but back for the penalty. Discussion between Russell and captain Tuipulotu over what to do - eventually they decide to go for the posts.
TRY! Scotland 47-26 FRANCE (Thomas Ramos, 74 minutes)
15:50 , Luke BakerGreat offload by Meafou to Moefana to take France into the 22.
They go right and Thomas Ramos takes it as pace, bursting through an Ashman tackle and reaching out for the line. A crucial try as it seals a bonus point and puts France back on top of the table!
Ramos’s conversion slips wide however.
Scotland 47-21 France, 72 minutes
15:48 , Luke BakerThe lineout is overthrown by Mauvaka and Scotland gleefully seize the loose ball before Horne boots clear. Missed opportunity for the visitors.
Scotland 47-21 France, 70 minutes
15:47 , Luke BakerBielle-Biarrey tries a chip over the top but Scotland cover well. The game has gone for France but they’re finishing quite strongly.
They win a scrum in the centre of the park and attack again from it. Another dink over the top but Kinghorn scoots across his own in-goal area to touch down and allow Russell to kick clear from the goal-line dropout.
Another penalty for France soon after though as Six Nations debutant Freddy Douglas is pinged and Les Bleus kick for the corner in pursuit of a vital bonus-point try.
Scotland 47-21 France, 67 minutes
15:44 , Luke BakerThis is really bad news for Scotland. Double try scorer Kyle Steyn is down and in some pain. He’s been brilliant in this game, and all tournament really, but has hurt his right leg, in the quad area.
Treatment from the medical staff and he gets strapped up but needs the cart to drive him off the field. It would be a huge loss for Scotland if he can’t play next week.
Hopefully just a gash rather than a soft tissue injury that will rule him out for a whole.
TRY! Scotland 47-21 FRANCE (Antoine Dupont, 66 minutes)
15:41 , Luke BakerComeback on? Seems unlikely but just one try away from a bonus point at least for France, which could be crucial in the suddenly live battle for the title.
It’s a gorgeous score from Les Bleus as they go from deep inside their own half. Attissogbe bursts down the right flank, exchanges passes inside and then out with Jalibert.
The winger then flicks a long, looped pass inside to Antoine Dupont in support and the scrum half trots under the posts. Vintage France for a third try. Surely the deficit is too great in this match though?
Scotland 47-14 France, 65 minutes
15:39 , Luke BakerScotland attack again and burst into the 22 but Kinghorn’s pass doesn’t quite go to hand. That could have been yet another try! This is absolutely frantic stuff in Edinburgh
TRY! SCOTLAND 47-14 France (Tom Jordan, 63 minutes)
15:38 , Luke BakerThis is incredible. A complete demolition job by the ruthless, remarkable Scots.
They convert the five-metre scrum with ease. Strike-play from the set-piece, beautifully worked, the ball popped to Tom Jordan running at 150mph to crash over, reaching out and dotting down on the base of the post.
Sublime, absolutely sublime. It’s 47-14. Unreal.
Scotland 40-14 France, 62 minutes
15:36 , Luke BakerWHAT IS HAPPENING?! Antoine Dupont caught in two minds in his own in-goal area. Should he kick clear or play it? He dithers and eventually flings a pass but it’s forward! Deary, deary me. The sort of mistake you never see from the best player in the world.
It will be a five-metre scrum for Scotland
SIN-BIN! Scotland 40-14 FRANCE (Lenni Nouchi, 60 minutes)
15:34 , Luke BakerLenni Nouchi sees yellow for illegally bringing down the maul in the lead-up to that try.
TRY! SCOTLAND 40-14 France (Darcy Graham, 59 minutes)
15:32 , Luke BakerThe maul starts rumbling, slowly towards the line and it’s brought down illegally by France.
BUT IT DOESN’T MATTER. Darcy Graham has his second try of the match as he comes infield and the ball is popped from Kinghorn on the floor to his back-three mate who slides through a gap and trots underneath the posts.
This is brilliant, ruthless, incredible, unimaginable stuff. It’s rugby from the Gods from Scotland and they lead 40-14. WOW WOW WOW!
Scotland 33-14 France, 58 minutes
15:29 , Luke BakerTom Jordan, just off the bench for Huw Jones, with the delayed pass this time to find Steyn who gets over the gainline.
Fagerson and Schoeman carry hard into the 22. This is complete domination! Penalty given away and France skipper Dupont given a long talking to by the referee about his team’s discipline. More cards will be coming if it continues.
A kick to the corner again for the Scots...
Scotland 33-14 France, 56 minutes
15:27 , Luke BakerKinghorn is through! Gorgeous delayed pass from Russell sends his full-back scampering with only one man to beat. He tries to float a pass out to the right wing for Graham but it’s too far in front and bounces into touch.
A huge let-off for France! But could Kinghorn have swerved past his man and scored himself? Or poked a grubber kick ahead? Missed chance either way.
Scotland 33-14 France, 55 minutes
15:25 , Luke BakerLes Bleus straight on the attack as they go left and Bielle-Biarrey darts into the 22. Dupont snipes from there but it’s a Scotland penalty! France pinged for an illegal clearout on Russell - hmmm, that looked harsh. Not that Scotland will care.
Scotland 33-14 France, 53 minutes
15:23 , Luke BakerFrance need a response and they need it now...
TRY! SCOTLAND 33-14 France (Kyle Steyn, 52 minutes)
15:23 , Luke BakerOH MY WORD! THIS IS INCREDIBLE.
Scotland now have a FIFTH try and a massive lead. Dupont drifts right and tries to fling a pass out wide. He gets clattered by White as he delivers and that allows Kyle Steyn to step into the line and intercept the floating ball.
From there, he shows his pure gas to motor away down the left flank, leaving Moefana trailing in his wake and scoots under the posts.
Scotland lead by 19 points. Yes, 19 points!
Scotland 26-14 France, 49 minutes
15:20 , Luke BakerThis has been scintillating by Scotland. The sort of performance they only normally reserve for England.
They have another platform as Mauvaka is pinged for coming in at the side of a ruck and the penalty takes them into French territory.
From there, the white wall does at least stiffen, forcing a chip over the top that Bielle-Biarrey deals with easily.
Scotland 26-14 France, 46 minutes
15:17 , Luke BakerAny grand slam has a crucial moment and this feels like France’s. If they want the grand chelem, they’ll have to come from 12 points down on the road. What have you got, boys?
Attissogbe claims the kick-off well but is driven into touch by the Scottish defence
TRY! SCOTLAND 26-14 France (Ben White, 44 minutes)
15:15 , Luke BakerAND THERE’S THE TRY! Fagerson carries hard and drives his legs for a couple of extra yards before Ben White catches Les Bleus napping.
The scrum half picks from the base, snipes to the side and Guillard can’t get across to cover as he dives over the line.
Easy conversion for Russell and Scotland lead by 12 points. Well, well, well...
Scotland 19-14 France, 43 minutes
15:13 , Luke BakerJalibert back on, so France have a full complement once more but Scotland claim the lineout and immediately win the penalty as Gros enters the maul from the side.
Advantage played as Schoeman and Tuipulotu bash up the middle. They’re pushing hard...
Scotland 19-14 France, 42 minutes
15:12 , Luke BakerScotland attack to begin this second half, Graham dances past one, two, three men and into the 22.
France pinged for a high tackle and Russell kicks to the corner...
Anhtony Jelonch’s smart mouthguard has pinged so he trudges off for a HIA, with Lenni Nouchi coming on.
Jalibert’s sin-bin will soon be over as well. Can Scotland score the bonus-point try before it is?
KICK-OFF! Scotland 19-14 France
15:10 , Luke BakerRussell gets us back underway. If the second half is anywhere near as good as the first, we’re in for a treat
Second half...
15:08 , Harry Latham-CoyleRight, the players are stomping back out there. Is there a twist to this Six Nations tale? France, remember, need a bonus point win to secure the title today.
What do France need to win the Six Nations against Scotland?
HT: Scotland 19-14 France
14:57 , Harry Latham-CoyleBreathless stuff at Murrayfield. Both sides have arrived with the ambition we’d expect, and they’ve been allowed to play an open, entertaining and innovative game. Scotland may feel frustrated not to be slightly further ahead having been yet to capitalise on Matthieu Jalibert’s yellow card - there are still three minutes or so to run on that sanction, though, and the hosts have been very good so far.
France sticking in there, with two tries that have shown their ability to strike quickly.
HALF TIME: Scotland 19-14 France
14:54 , Harry Latham-Coyle
Scotland 19-14 France, 40 minutes
14:54 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe Scottish scrum looks to have the nudge on their French counterparts but it’s due to an illegal action - Pierre Schoeman driving up, rather than forward. He is penalised; France have had enough, sending them all down the tunnel by tapping and finding touch.
Scotland 19-14 France, 39 minutes
14:53 , Harry Latham-CoyleOutstanding ball retention from Scotland, which has been a theme of the half. Darcy Graham collects a bouncing ball and shimmies past Antoine Dupont, but Louis Bielle-Biarrey and Thomas Ramos have him handled, and force a knock on.
Now then, a tactical change from Gregor Townsend - Zander Fagerson is sent on to make an impact on the tighthead, with D’Arcy Rae’s work done.
Scotland 19-14 France, 38 minutes
14:50 , Harry Latham-CoyleA slightly garbled attempted attack from Scotland, with France doing well to disrupt their rhythm. An exchange of kicks brings the hosts back on the attack and making inroads towards the French 22.
Scotland 19-14 France, 36 minutes
14:49 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt’s all working for Scotland at the moment. Pierre Schoeman gets into Dorian Aldegheri and earns a scrum penalty. The hosts have conceded just one penalty so far, and totally shut down France’s offloading game.
Scotland 19-14 France, 34 minutes
14:47 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe only fly in the Scottish ointment is the loss of Gregor Brown, the lock limping off earlier than he’d have liked to. Grant Gilchrist is a highly-experienced option to bring on, though.
TRY! SCOTLAND 19-14 France (Pierre Schoeman, 33 minutes)
14:45 , Harry Latham-CoyleScotland have their third! Patient play through the phases and Pierre Schoeman has the requisite biff to finish it off.
And here we are - referee Angus Gardner pulls Matthieu Jalibert out of the huddle and reaches into his pocket. It’s a yellow card to the France fly half after that warning moments ago - France down on the scoreboard and to 14 men!
Scotland 12-14 France, 31 minutes
14:44 , Harry Latham-CoyleAn inch short! Sione Tuipulotu hits Huw Jones on his shoulder, and the outside centre then pops up off the deck to Finn Russell. How has he not got there?
Scotland reload, Tuipulotu just about clinging on having not expected to receive Ben White’s pass. France infringe - a penalty coming at least, and probably more...
Scotland 12-14 France, 30 minutes
14:42 , Harry Latham-CoyleFrance infringe again, Julien Marchand running through a passing lane from an offside position. Antoine Dupont is warned about his side’s discipline before Finn Russell...turns down three points! Fascinating. Off to the right corner the Scottish forwards follow his punt.
Scotland 12-14 France, 29 minutes
14:41 , Harry Latham-CoyleWell, it’s been everything we’d hoped for so far - all sorts of ambition and ingenuity on show. There just seems to be so much space out there for both teams, who have the appetite to exploit it.
TRY! SCOTLAND 12-14 France (Kyle Steyn, 27 minutes)
14:39 , Harry Latham-CoyleA set-piece strike of the highest order! That’s a gorgeous riposte from Scotland!
The hosts boot down to the corner and then feign a maul, locking the French forward bodies in. George Turner peels around the back of it and darts towards the posts, with Kyle Steyn charging the other way on a perpendicular angle. It’s a simple switch, in the end, but mighty effective, with France cut apart and Steyn scoring in the left corner. Beautifully conceived, beautifully executed.
Scotland 7-14 France, 25 minutes
14:36 , Harry Latham-CoyleHaving started so superbly, Scotland have been rocked in the last 10 minutes, losing all sense of composure and calm. A couple of penalties restore a bit of order for the home side.
TRY! Scotland 7-14 FRANCE (Theo Attissogbe, 23 minutes)
14:35 , Harry Latham-CoyleWing to wing and France are flying!
Scintillating stuff, as we’ve come to expect from Les Bleus. Nicolas Depoortere sets a fine platform with a midfield charge, and the French flood numbers into the left-hand 15-metre channel. Away to the left, and Louis Bielle-Biarrey zips up the touchline and kicks infield, allowing a greyhound-like Theo Attissogbe to pursue the rabbit. There’s only one winner. God, they can be so good.
Scotland 7-7 France, 21 minutes
14:33 , Harry Latham-CoyleThat’s not the best work from Scotland. A canny crossfield kick catches out Thomas Ramos and bounces into touch, but France maul well at the lineout, and Scotland stall it illegally. Was it needed just 30 metres from the opposition line? The visitors advance down the right touchline.
Scotland 7-7 France, 19 minutes
14:31 , Harry Latham-CoyleEven Superman isn’t impervious to the blinding Scottish sun - a fumble from Antoine Dupont from the restart, though it goes backwards, allowing the scrum half to thump clear.
TRY! Scotland 7-7 FRANCE (Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 18 minutes)
14:30 , Harry Latham-CoyleHe just cannot stop scoring in the Six Nations! Louis Bielle-Biarrey has his customary try, a 25th in 26 Tests for France.
Give credit, though, to Antoine Dupont for a spot of thievery par excellence. Sione Tuipulotu had initially made metres with a deft dummy and dart inside his own 22, but finds his cargo snatched by the French scrum half as he tries to drive on. It’s sheer strength from Dupont to wrench the ball free, and his teammates have the wherewithal to capitalise, flicking swiftly to the left edge to allow their gas-man to finish it off.
Thomas Ramos’s excellent touchline conversion levels the scores.
Scotland 7-0 France, 16 minutes
14:27 , Harry Latham-CoyleFrance go to a more direct approach, Antoine Dupont sending a succession of sizeable folk around the corner. Now something more extravagant, a diagonal, delicate grubber from Matthieu Jalibert...knocked on! Theo Attissogbe got a friendly bounce and could leap after it, but can’t quite claim with the line seemingly at his mercy. Closer and closer...
Scotland 7-0 France, 14 minutes
14:26 , Harry Latham-CoyleThis is starting to feel a little like Twickenham last year for the French. Theo Attissogbe gets away down the right and hunts for Louis Bielle-Biarrey with space apparent infield, but the transfer isn’t clean. Bielle-Biarrey looks to be limping slightly, too. One to monitor.
Thomas Ramos breaks on the counter-attack and kicks ahead, with Finn Russell back to gather and ground in his own in-goal.
Scotland 7-0 France, 12 minutes
14:23 , Harry Latham-CoyleOh - should Louis Bielle-Biarrey have done better? A wayward pass from Finn Russell bounces into the path of the wing, who swings a leg at it with open acreage (and little else) in front of him. The connection is horrid, though - more Laurent Blanc than Thierry Henry as Bielle-Biarrey slices only a metre or two, passing up the chance.
Scotland 7-0 France, 11 minutes
14:22 , Harry Latham-CoyleWe’re seeing plenty of high balls put up down the side of the Murrayfield pitch bathed in sunshine, that being on the right edge of the Scottish attack. Each side fails to deal with a high hoist, but manage to scramble to the second ball.
Scotland 7-0 France, 9 minutes
14:20 , Harry Latham-CoyleSuperb maul defence from Scotland! Matt Fagerson and the second rows right at the heart of things, stalling, falling, and calling for the turnover, which they receive.
A penalty at the resultant scrum will allow a comfortable clearance.
Scotland 7-0 France, 8 minutes
14:19 , Harry Latham-CoyleNow then? France find fluency, a flat pass from Thomas Ramos singeing the noses of three Scottish players and freeing Louis Bielle-Biarrey. He chips ahead and tumbles over Finn Russell...who is deemed just to have held his ground.
Blair Kinghorn covers across and is run into touch. France’s five-metre lineout.
Scotland 7-0 France, 7 minutes
14:18 , Harry Latham-CoyleShaun Edwards will be furious with how easily France were cut open after that scrum free kick, a simple missed midfield tackle allowing Huw Jones to break free. Fabien Galthie’s side need to settle in.
TRY! SCOTLAND 7-0 France (Darcy Graham, 5 minutes)
14:16 , Harry Latham-CoyleAnd Darcy Graham rushes in to give Scotland a fast start!
It’s the shape they use so often, Finn Russell and the blindside wing looping out the back of their centres, and while the connection between Sione Tuipulotu and Russell isn’t clean, the fly half still manages to flick the ball on. Graham is thus sprung into space outside of Nicolas Depoortere, and Scotland are up and running in style!
Scotland 0-0 France, 4 minutes
14:15 , Harry Latham-CoyleA free kick to Scotland, and off they go! Tapped quickly and Huw Jones carves all too easily through the French midfield, a hot knife through Gallic butter. Into the French 22 they go...
Scotland 0-0 France, 3 minutes
14:14 , Harry Latham-CoyleScotland are definitely keen to give it a go in these opening skirmishes. Finn Russell is the man scragged this time after working something out the back of shape.
Finally, after more than three minutes of unbroken action, a set-piece - Thomas Ramos loses sight in the sun and shells an up-and-under. Scrum, Scottish feed, about 40 metres out from the French line.
Scotland 0-0 France, 2 minutes
14:13 , Harry Latham-CoyleSome funky stuff in midfield as Scotland look to play from just inside their own half, but France have it handled, catching Jack Dempsey behind the gainline and very nearly isolating him. That man Mickael Guillard is blown off the ball before he can affect a turnover.
Bright sunshine cast across one side of the Murrayfield surface.
Scotland 0-0 France, 1 minute
14:11 , Harry Latham-CoyleA thumping first hit from Mickael Guillard to set the tone, the France lock such an impressive athlete. Scotland immediately go to the air and force a fumble from Louis Bielle-Biarrey, which is hacked upfield by Huw Jones.
Antoine Dupont and Thomas Ramos are back to collect and clear.
KICK OFF!
14:10 , Harry Latham-CoyleA blast of Angus Gardner’s whistle and we are underway in Edinburgh.
Anthems
14:08 , Harry Latham-CoyleThose travelling French visitors make themselves known with a pleasant, if not particularly punchy, rendition of “La Marseillaise”, before the piper on the roof leads Murrayfield in to “Flower of Scotland”. Ever charming.
Scotland vs France
14:04 , Harry Latham-CoyleScotland make France wait on one side of the tunnel for a long while, before eventually joining the visitors and heading out into the fresh Murrayfield air.
Scotland vs France
13:59 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt’s a glorious afternoon in Edinburgh, with something like 15,000 French fans flooding the city to follow their side. There were actually a fair few in town for the Calcutta Cup clash last month - they do travel in such numbers, even when Les Bleus aren’t involved.
Scotland vs France match officials
13:55 , Harry Latham-CoyleReferee: Angus Gardner (Aus)
Assistant Referees: Andrew Brace (Ire) & Craig Evans (Wal)
Television Match Official: Brett Cronan (Aus)
Foul Play Review Officer: Olly Hodges (Ire)
Strike fast?
13:45 , Harry Latham-CoyleIn part reflecting their ability in unstructured situations, and their sharp strike moves, both France (9/18) and Scotland (5/10) have scored half of their tries from first phase - excellent marks, each, with the volume of French scores obviously uber-impressive.
The French connections
13:35 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt feels a big boost for France to have Yoram Moefana and Nicolas Depoortere back, however impressive Pau pair Emilien Gailleton and Fabien Brau-Boirie were in their stead across rounds two and three. The balanced Bordeaux-Begles centres work so well off Matthieu Jalibert, their regular clubmate, and have just that little bit more international experience on which to draw. I thought France looked a touch skittish in structure against Italy, which mattered not with how good they were out of it - Scotland will have to stay wary throughout.
Can Scotland match France physically?
13:25 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe availability of Jack Dempsey feels huge for Scotland as their pack look to match this highly physical, highly athletic French unit. Not only does the No 8 provide plenty of punch, but it allows Gregor Townsend to load up a couple more back rows on the bench in the explosive Josh Bayliss and turnover machine Freddy Douglas on a six/two bench. That group looks well put together - Zander Fagerson has been short of his best of late but has so much experience and quality.
Team news - France
13:15 , Harry Latham-CoyleFrance welcome back Matthieu Jalibert, Yoram Moefana and Nicolas Depoortere to an all-Bordeaux Begles midfield in a triple injury boost for Fabien Galthie. Jalibert’s return allows Thomas Ramos and Theo Attissogbe to revert to full-back and right wing respectively.
Up front, Charles Ollivon and Mickael Guillard are preferred to Thibaud Flament and Emmanuel Meafou in second-row partnership, while Anthony Jelonch is fit to feature at No 8. Replacement scrum half Baptiste Serin is set for his 50th cap from the bench.
France XV: 1 Jean-Baptiste Gros, 2 Julien Marchand, 3 Dorian Aldegheri; 4 Charles Ollivon, 5 Mickael Guillard; 6 Francois Cros, 7 Oscar Jegou, 8 Anthony Jelonch; 9 Antoine Dupont (capt.), 10 Matthieu Jalibert; 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 12 Yoram Moefana, 13 Nicolas Depoortere, 14 Theo Attissogbe; 15 Thomas Ramos.
Replacements: 16 Peato Mauvaka, 17 Rodrigue Neti, 18 Demba Bamba, 19 Thibaud Flament, 20 Emmanuel Meafou, 21 Lenni Nouchi; 22 Baptiste Serin, 23 Pierre-Louis Barassi.
Notre équipe qui défiera l’Ecosse samedi à Murrayfield 🏴🇫🇷#ECOFRA #XVdeFrance pic.twitter.com/O4WoSZuCoL
— France Rugby (@FranceRugby) March 5, 2026
Team news - Scotland
13:10 , Harry Latham-CoyleInfluential Scotland back row Jack Dempsey has recovered remarkably quickly from the bicep injury he suffered against England and is fit enough to start at No 8 for the hosts at Murrayfield. His return sees Gregor Brown pushed from the back row into the second row, where Max Williamson drops out.
Dempsey’s inclusion is one of four changes to the Scottish pack with the other three being an all-new front row as Pierre Schoeman, George Turner and D’Arcy Rae start instead of Nathan McBeth, Dave Cherry and Zander Fagerson. Darcy Graham being preferred to Edinburgh teammate Duhan van der Merwe on the wing is the only change to the backline, while highly-rated, 20-year-old flanker Freddy Douglas is on the bench for a Six Nations clash for the first time.
Scotland XV: 1 Pierre Schoeman, 2 George Turner, 3 D’Arcy Rae; 4 Gregor Brown, 5 Scott Cummings; 6 Matt Fagerson, 7 Rory Darge, 8 Jack Dempsey; 9 Ben White, 10 Finn Russell; 11 Kyle Steyn, 12 Sione Tuipulotu, 13 Huw Jones, 14 Darcy Graham; 15 Blair Kinghorn.
Replacements: 16 Ewan Ashman, 17 Rory Sutherland, 18 Zander Fagerson, 19 Grant Gilchrist, 20 Freddy Douglas, 21 Josh Bayliss; 22 George Horne, 23 Tom Jordan.
Unified 🤝#AsOne | #GuinnessM6N pic.twitter.com/tyEIYqxrkQ
— Scottish Rugby (@Scotlandteam) March 6, 2026
What do France need to win the Six Nations?
13:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleWhile they have grander goals, a retention of their Six Nations crown is within reach for France. Here are today’s title permutations:
What do France need to win the Six Nations against Scotland?
Gregor Townsend urges Scotland to channel past performances against France
12:50 , Harry Latham-CoyleScotland have won five of their 13 matches against France since Gregor Townsend took charge in 2017 and there have also been a couple of agonising defeats - including the last Murrayfield meeting two years ago when a contentious decision by the officials denied Sam Skinner what would have been a last-gasp match-winning try.
"I think it is important for our players to remember how we set up to play against France, how the games have gone, whether that is just looking at the last two or three years from 2023 onwards," said Townsend.
"We've played them five times because we got them twice in the World Cup warm-ups. They've been games where we maybe had even more opportunities to win.
"They're a top team, but it's a team we've risen our game when we've played against them. We felt very frustrated not to win two years ago.
"Obviously, we felt really disappointed not to be awarded a try. That was clearly a try in our view at the end of the game that would have got a victory.
"And we felt frustrated in Saint-Etienne (in August 2023) because that was a cracking game. We outscored them four tries to three. It was 27-all in the last minute of the game. They've been great fixtures.
"Hopefully that means this will be a really open game. But if it's a 3-0 win, we'll take that as well."
World Rugby responds to questions over future of scrums and bid to make sport ‘quicker and simpler’ for fans
12:40 , Harry Latham-CoyleAnd against that concerning backdrop, it was equally interesting to listen to World Rugby explain its vision for the future of the sport last week:
How World Rugby is planning to make sport ‘quicker and simpler’
Is rugby any closer to answering the complex brain injury question?
12:30 , Harry Latham-CoyleWe’ll get back to the build-up to today’s game in a bit, but first an important topic again in the news this week - the complex concussion question continues to trouble rugby:
Is rugby any closer to answering the complex brain injury question?
Six Nations 2026 schedule in full: Fixtures and results
12:20 , Harry Latham-CoyleNeed a reminder of all of the Six Nations action so far and the fixtures still to come in the championship? We’ve got you covered:
Scotland and France ready to put on a show at Murrayfield
12:10 , Harry Latham-CoyleKyle Steyn reckons Scotland and France are ready to put on a show in today’s high-stakes Six Nations clash at Murrayfield.
The Scots could leapfrog their visitors to go top of the table with a bonus-point victory while Les Bleus will secure the title with a game to spare if they notch a bonus-point win in Edinburgh.
Steyn acknowledged "it is huge and we haven't shied away from that". And the Glasgow wing feels this showdown carries additional excitement because both sides are intent on playing swashbuckling running rugby.
"We know the challenge that's coming this week and the kind of machine that is French rugby at the moment," said Steyn.
"Whenever we've come up against these guys, we've had some really good games, some really fun clashes, some really big clashes, so I'm just looking forward to another one of them.
"It's two teams that love to play rugby. They are often really fatiguing games because you've got two teams that are trying to have a crack. Both teams will make errors and we obviously know how lethal they are from transition, so you've got to try not to make those errors.
"At the same time, they've got a big juggernaut up front that needs to move and we're relishing the chance to have a go against them and try and make them defend. You look forward to these games, they're always so much fun.
"Test matches can be so different. When you play an Ireland or other teams like that, it just seems like a gridlock game the whole week. But this is a game where you just know it's going to be fun from one to 80. You don't know what's going to happen, but it's going to flow and it's going to be a lot of fun."
Fabien Galthie criticises Murrayfield changing room
12:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleThere was a slightly bizarre back-and-forth between Fabien Galthie and Gregor Townsend this week, with the French head coach criticising the size of the Murrayfield away changing room in his pre-match press conference, and Townsend leaping to the defence of the grand old ground and offering a dig at the size of the French staff.
“The changing room, it is worth you knowing that it is, for me, the smallest in the world,” Galthié said. “It forces us to change in the corridors for an international match. We need to say it as it is.
“We have regularly asked if they could give us the room next door, which is available and is the other part of the dressing room, but we don’t have it. Therefore, we will continue to prepare and get changed in the corridor for a Test match.
“The referees’ dressing room is bigger than ours. It is just next to ours and it is bigger. Anyway, it sets the tone, we know what we’re getting into as soon as we arrive at the stadium.”
Townsend, meanwhile, responded: ““I think it’s the first time the opposition have complained about our away changing room publicly,” Townsend countered.
“It’s obviously the changing room Edinburgh use week in, week out. It’s a changing room every away team have used over the last 20 years. France have got a huge staff, which I think is part of the issue. But it’s not really my job.”
All good fun - I think...
Sione Tuipulotu hopes Scotland can make France uncomfortable
11:50 , Harry Latham-CoyleSione Tuipulotu has challenged Scotland to take their Six Nations title bid to the final weekend by ensuring maximum discomfort for France at Murrayfield.
The Scots, chasing a first top-two finish in the championship this century, would leapfrog their visitors into first place if they pull off a bonus-point win and deny Les Bleus a losing bonus point.
Similarly, a France bonus-point victory in Edinburgh would secure a second consecutive title for Fabien Galthie's men.
Scotland skipper Tuipulotu admitted the top-of-the-table showdown on the penultimate weekend of the championship counts as one of the biggest Tests he has been involved in since his debut four-and-a-half years ago.
"It's massive," he said. "This is one of the biggest games we've played as a group, so let's see what it brings out of us here at home.
"I really want to earn another week with the team (in contention). I know things next week are still available (including a Triple Crown) if things don't go right, but that's not my mentality, thinking about if things don't go right.
"I want to earn another week with this group chasing the main goal, and that's lifting the Six Nations trophy."
Antoine Dupont urges France to focus on Scottish challenge
11:40 , Harry Latham-CoyleAntoine Dupont has insisted France must focus solely on defeating Scotland and not become fixated on securing the Six Nations title at Murrayfield.
Les Bleus have won all three of their matches so far and will seal back-to-back championship triumphs with a game to spare if they earn a bonus-point win in Edinburgh.
If they do not land the title this weekend, they will have another opportunity against England in Paris next Saturday.
"It's important to win competitions when you're in a position to win them," said captain Dupont at his eve-of-match press conference at Murrayfield.
"Obviously, for many reasons, it will be more than positive to win this tournament, but we still have two games to play and today we're far from it.
"The goal is to win the match. We know how difficult it is to win here. We don't need to talk about the quality of the Scottish team, especially since the beginning of this tournament.
"Our main focus is here for the moment. We will have time to see what happens next."
Scotland coach urges players to ‘relish every minute’ of Six Nations showdown with France
11:30 , Harry Latham-CoyleScotland’s forwards coach John Dalziel has issued a rallying cry to his squad, challenging them to deliver their best performance of the Six Nations campaign against France.
Scotland coach urges team to ‘relish every minute’ of Six Nations clash with France
Matthieu Jalibert returns as France target Six Nations title against Scotland
11:20 , Harry Latham-CoyleMatthieu Jalibert has been passed fit to steer France from fly half as they target the Six Nations title against Scotland.
A bonus-point victory in Edinburgh would be enough for Les Bleus to secure the defence of their title with a round to spare, with Jalibert’s return a significant boost.
The Bordeaux Begles playmaker had been a late withdrawal from the side that beat Italy in round three, suffering a minor injury that forced a backline reshuffle after Thomas Ramos stepped in at No 10.
With Jalibert back, Ramos returns to full-back and Theo Attissogbe to the right wing, while the fly half’s club colleagues Yoram Moefana and Nicolas Depoortere are reunited in the centres after injury.
Matthieu Jalibert returns as France target Six Nations title against Scotland
Jack Dempsey completes remarkable injury recovery as one of five Scotland changes for France
11:10 , Harry Latham-CoyleJack Dempsey has been passed fit to return to Scotland’s starting XV for today’s Six Nations showdown with France at Murrayfield ina huge boost for Gregor Townsend’s side.
The influential back-rower’s championship initially appeared to be over after he suffered a bicep injury in last month’s win over England.
But after sitting out the victory away to Wales last time out, Dempsey rejoined the squad to prepare for the top-of-the-table clash with France.
Dempsey makes remarkable injury recovery as one of five Scotland changes for France
Scotland vs France
Friday 6 March 2026 16:05 , Harry Latham-CoyleAnother Six Nations Saturday gets underway with a mighty meeting between Scotland and France in Edinburgh and an encounter that could end with this year’s champions known. A bonus point win would be enough for Les Bleus to retain their title with a round to spare - but things are seldom straightforward in this championship, as the hosts have already proved in this campaign.
Kick off is at 2.10pm GMT.
