France down Ireland, Wales beat Scotland in thriller

DUBLIN: France enjoyed their first Six Nations win in Dublin since 2011 with a 15-13 victory over Ireland on Sunday at Lansdowne Road.

Les Bleus looked to be easing to victory when Damian Penaud scored their second try to move 15-3 ahead in the second-half.

However, the hosts fought back only to fall short. France will host Scotland in a fortnight with their hopes alive of their first Six Nations title since 2010.

Earlier, two tries from Louis Rees-zammit inspired Wales to their second successive win in the Six Nations as they defeated 14-man Scotland 25-24 in a thrilling encounter at Murrayfield on Saturday.

Scotland prop Zander Fagerson was shown a straight red by English referee Mathew Carley in the second half.

It was the second consecutive match where the Welsh beat a team reduced to 14 players, having overcome Ireland last Sunday when Peter O’mahony was sent off.

“I thought we were excellent in large parts of that game,” said a disappointed Scotland captain Stuart Hogg.

“Wales were outstanding, they took their opportunities but we gave them to them.”

Wales, who scored four tries to pick up a bonus point, will next play England while the Scots face France in two weeks.

Leigh Halfpenny put the Welsh 3-0 up early on -- Chris Harris straying offside -- but Finn Russell levelled it in the 11th minute.

The Scots produced the first bit of fluent atacking play as the clock ticked towards the 20th minute.

Jonny Gray scythed through the Welsh defence and when the ball worked its way back to Alli Price, the Scotish scrum-half produced a moment of magic.

He looked up and chipped the ball over the Welsh defence with Darcy Graham running on to catch it and go over for his eighth try in 16th tests. Russell converted for 10-3.

The hosts put clear blue water between themselves and Wales with 25 minutes on the clock.

Hogg kicked ahead, Halfpenny spilled the ball and the Scotland captain ran on to collect the loose ball and touch down.

Hogg’s 21st try in his 82nd Test was crisply converted by Russell for 17-3.

Willis Halaholo replaced Halfpenny for his debut ater the full-back went off for a Head Injury Assessment as a result of a collision with Graham.

Halfpenny did not return but Wales continued to pressure the Scots and were rewarded just before half-time when Rees-zammit shimmied inside Duhan van der Merwe to touch down to add to his try against Ireland.