Scotland destroy France Grand Slam dreams after stunning win
More than three hours before kick-off at Murrayfield, every route into the stadium was lined with blue, white, and red. The streets were filled with French colours, and the air was rich with French songs.
Approaching the stadium, one began to question the official estimate of 15,000 French supporters; it felt like 20,000 or more. At the back of the West Stand, French fans lined the road, waiting for their players to arrive. They climbed the steps usually reserved for Scots and waited in their elevated vantage points for the Grand Slam champions-to-be.
French flags, scarves, fans with tricolor wigs and cockerel hats were everywhere. When Les Bleus appeared, it felt as if the event was taking place in Paris. They had come expecting a celebration but instead witnessed a wake.
In their spacious dressing room at halftime of this 13-try, 90-point epic, Scotland faced the question of how to complete what they had already begun: how to continue playing relentlessly and clinically, delivering rugby from another dimension—creative, precise, and exhilarating.
Having endured many challenges with this team, one learns to guard against excessive optimism, but this occasion felt different. Faith had entered the building. Scotland appeared completely and utterly convincing.
Sione Tuipulotu, their outstanding leader, spoke on Friday about the psychological aspect of the game. He emphasized that Scotland should not fear falling behind nor being ahead. What he wanted was "us being us"—to keep playing and keep believing. His players not only embraced this philosophy but lived by it.
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'Best Scotland display in almost 40 years?'
This match stands as perhaps the greatest victory of the Gregor Townsend era and the finest single performance against such high-caliber opponents since possibly 1990—before many of the current players, including veteran Grant Gilchrist, were born.
Scotland entered the second half holding a five-point lead, with the match to win and a sensation to deliver to the rugby world. Against England in round two, they had demonstrated their inventive style, which was never in doubt. Two weeks ago in Cardiff, they showed mental resilience in adversity, a trait that had been lacking previously—a significant step forward.
Here, at a packed Murrayfield filled with expectant French supporters, Scotland found their complete self or at least continued to display it. France appeared unsettled. The dominance they had shown in their first three games was absent—no record offloads, no easily manipulated defence, no early flurry of tries, no soft touches at the other end.
They made errors and were punished by a ruthless Scottish team. France scored two quick tries, but Scotland responded strongly. The visitors were unaccustomed to this level of relentless fight and ambition. Scotland took them to a dark place from which France could not recover.
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Perhaps France had some forewarning. Fabien Galthie’s unusual criticism of the size of Scotland’s away dressing room at Murrayfield might have been an attempt to create a siege mentality, suggesting concern that things had become too comfortable. His rant may have been intended to shake up his players by warning them of supposed chicanery. While speculative, it raises questions about his motives.
Alongside his dressing room comments, Galthie acknowledged the Scottish threat, though this received less attention. His words revealed a degree of concern about the challenge Scotland posed—and rightly so.
In a third quarter that left spectators rubbing their eyes in disbelief, Scotland were both adventurous and attritional; lethal in scoring tries and formidable in collisions. In building a commanding lead, they made a fantastic French team appear ordinary. Few outside Scotland’s camp anticipated this outcome.
A five-point lead became 12 when Ben White broke from the side of a ruck two minutes into the second half, and 12 became 19 when Kyle Steyn sprinted half the length of Corstorphine Road to score Scotland's fifth try.
Many had expected to celebrate Louis Bielle-Biarrey, who had scored in nine consecutive Six Nations games and 25 tries in 26 Tests, but Steyn outshone him. He was exceptional, not only scoring two tries but excelling in decision-making, defence, and work-rate. Steyn is world-class from head to toe.
That third quarter was a whirlwind—opportunistic and brutal. Jack Dempsey was a human thunderclap but was far from alone in his impact.
Despite injuries reducing their numbers, Scotland never relented. Graham scored again, followed by Tom Jordan. Scotland had seven tries and 47 points on the board. The team appeared possessed. France’s Grand Slam ambitions were crushed. Murrayfield erupted in celebration.
"I can't remember a better Scotland Six Nations performance"
'Scotland revel in delightful freakshow'
Since the loss to Italy, Scotland’s campaign has been a delightful freakshow. They have secured three consecutive wins, each with bonus points, including victories over England and France, leaving something significant to play for on the final day. This is rarefied air, and Townsend’s players are surely savoring it.
However, they are wounded warriors. Few wins of this magnitude come without a cost. Gregor Brown is out of the upcoming Dublin trip, Scott Cummings is struggling, and there are concerns for others, including Steyn and Huw Jones.
The trip to Dublin was already a Triple Crown decider. Now it could mean much more. The winner would become champions if France falter against England, though that is unlikely given England’s current state.
Scotland have a second chance. A bonus point win in Ireland combined with no bonus point win for France in Paris could crown the Scots champions—an extraordinary possibility.
They will not dwell on permutations. Wins against Ireland have been scarce. Under Townsend, Scotland have lost 11 consecutive matches to Ireland, some by large margins and some decided before they truly began. Ireland tends to start matches against Scotland aggressively.
In recent years, tension has existed between the nations, with some in Ireland accusing Scotland players of overhyping themselves despite limited achievements, and Scots responding with bemused weariness at such accusations. There have been player clashes and union disputes, but these pale in comparison to what awaits in Dublin.
The real contest is imminent. The winner may take all and will certainly claim the Triple Crown. After the disappointment of the Italy loss, Townsend and his players would have welcomed this scenario.
They kept their euphoria in check after the France match. Townsend praised the performance, the effort, and the skill displayed but remained measured. Beside him, Tuipulotu was calm and focused, content with a job spectacularly well done, yet signaling another, even bigger challenge ahead on Saturday.
Among many memorable images from the day, the final one of the captain’s composed demeanor was particularly striking.
So much has been achieved, yet much remains to be done for a team that appears to have come of age. Heady days indeed.
"That game was crazy!" - Graham on Scotland win over France
