France in seventh heaven

FRANCE overcame a spirited Scotland display in a breathless finale in Paris to secure a record-equalling seventh Six Nations title – drawing level with England – and their first since 2022.

- By BRYN PALMER

The favourites knew any sort of win would be enough despite England’s earlier crushing win over Wales and Louis Bielle-Biarrey’s record eighth try of the campaign and two further quickfire scores around the hour effectively sealed the outcome.

Scotland had cause to rue the foot in touch from Blair Kinghorn that saw a Tom Jordan try chalked off just before half-time that would have put them in the ascendancy.

But the impact of France’s seven replacement forwards tilted the momentum in Les Bleus’ favour and allowed them to see out the final quarter in relative comfort after a harum-scarum first hour.