Scotland produced their best performance in years to defeat France 29-18 at Murrayfield on Sunday and hand the Six Nations title to unbeaten England.
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France did rally towards the end and probably should have had a third of their own, but Sebastien Bezy’s pass to Fickou was ruled to be forward and Scotland cleared their lines and held on for their first win over France in a decade and their first back-to-back wins since 2013.
If England now itself beats France in the final series of games next weekend, they will take the Grand Slam – a phenomenal turn around by new coach, the impish but steely Eddie Jones.
The hooker claimed the Scots were angered by claims from French journalists that their men would run over the top of the Scots at Murrayfield as they chased the RBS Six Nations title.
With Francois Trinh-Duc missing the resultant conversion and a later penalty, two Laidlaw penalties edged Scotland in front after 21 minutes.
Once again the Gloucester No. 9 was rock solid with the boot, adding 11 points to go with the 21 points he nabbed in the 36-20 win over Italy in Rome two weeks ago.
The home side lost fly half Finn Russell to injury in the aftermath of the French try, but his replacement Peter Horne was influential as the Scots scored their first try through Hogg. Uncharacteristically, Laidlaw would miskick the conversion. Laidlaw this time did the business with the extras.
But Hogg’s brilliant overhead pass saw Tim Visser’s try secure victory.
A lineout drive began the move, and eventually Gael Fickou, with two team-mates outside him, found a gap and crossed the line.
Scrum-half Maxime Machenaud took over the kicking duties and he found his range to send the sides in at 18-12 for Scotland.
It had been an even start to the second half, but stretching the lead to nine points gave the home team some extra breathing space.
Taylor’s try came three minutes later.
They scored an impressive try just five minutes in as a couple of offloads cut the Scots apart, leaving it to Guirado to score.
“What has been satisfying from Scotland’s perspective is they have got better with each game of the Six Nations”. Greg Laidlaw, playing in his 50 worldwide, slotted the easy kick home to put points on the board at 5-3 after 15 minutes. France were soon back to a six-point deficit, however, thanks to another Machenaud penalty.
Tries: Hogg, Taylor, Visser.
Four players from the south of Scotland were involved: Ford, Greig Laidlaw who captained the side, Stuart Hogg, and Alex Dunbar from Dumfries.
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France: S Spedding; W Fofana, G Fickou, M Mermoz, V Vakatawa; F Trinh-Duc, M Machenaud, J Poirot, G Guirado, R Slimani, A Flanquart, Y Maestri, W Lauret, Y Camara, D Chouly.
