SCOTS HAND WALES SIX NATIONS TITLE
Wales take title after Scots grab first win in France since 1999
WALES were last night crowned Six nations champions — thanks to a heroic 27-23 Scotland win over France that came despite a red card for Finn Russell. Wayne Pivac’s side were denied the Grand Slam last Saturday after a last-gasp French win. But this time Les Bleus, needing to score four tries and secure a winning margin of 21 points to take the title from Wales, were stunned by Scotland, who claimed their first win in Paris since 1999 with a last-minute try from Duhan van der Merwe. Van der Merwe had scored a try in the first half, but France led 23-20 until the Scotland winger struck again at the death.
FRANCE took their best shot last night but fell short of a first Six Nations title for 11 years, leaving Wales as champions again — after enduring a nervous wait to learn their fate.
Fabien Galthie’s side had a faint chance of glory because of the dramatic events six days earlier, when they rallied from a 10-point deficit to snatch victory over Wales, as Brice Dulin’s last-minute try dramatically prevented a Welsh Grand Slam.
It gave France a long-shot equation to strive for in this rescheduled contest; win by at least 21 points and score four tries in the process. The task proved to be beyond them.
Scotland would not go quietly. They fought the good fight and even though Finn Russell was sent off in the closing stages, their 22year wait for victory in Paris was delivered with a try by Duhan van der Merwe five minutes into added time. France had been widely seen as tournament favourites but their campaign lurched through controversy to end in frustration.
A Covid outbreak saw head coach Galthie, 11 players and staff members test positive, leading to criticism of bubble breaches, but an investigative whitewash.
Many felt they should not have been allowed to contest this postponed fixture, so the outcome felt like justice of sorts. Wales fell agonisingly short of a clean sweep, but the trophy is back with them.
There was tension in the buildup as all the talk of France’s title target provided Scotland with an extra jolt of motivation. Captain Stuart Hogg reflected a mood of angst in the Scottish camp when he said: ‘A lot has been said that is beginning to hack me off.’ The Exeter full back was at pains to emphasise that he and his teammates had plenty to play for too.
Second place in the championship table was within their grasp if they could win with a flourish. While that was regarded as a tall order, so was beating England at Twickenham for the first time in 38 years and Gregor Townsend’s men achieved that momentous feat on the opening weekend.
Raised hopes unravelled for the Scots as Zander Fagerson’s red card allowed Wales to escape to victory at Murrayfield, before Ireland were also able to win in Edinburgh.
Yet, a routine thrashing of Italy followed and despite limited access to their Premiership contingent, Scotland were reinforced by the return at No 10 of Russell, in the city where he plays his club rugby for Racing 92.
That provided some home-fromhome comfort for the playmaker, as did the bonus of wet conditions which were more typically Scottish than French. Seemingly reassured by the familiarity of a downpour, Scotland settled far better.
Romain Ntamack’s early penalty put France ahead, but their opponents built powerful momentum and deservedly went in front.
In the 15th minute, a slick lineout set a platform for hooker George Turner to blast through the home 22. Hamish Watson was held up short but Edinburgh wing Van der Merwe was able to force his way over to score.
Referee Wayne Barnes awarded the try despite the suspicion of an illegal double movement and Russell converted for a 7-3 lead.
Soon after, a penalty shot by the Scotland fly-half took his team to double figures, before Ntamack responded in kind at the other end, heralding a period of French pressure. Four minutes before half-time, they made it count.
From an attacking scrum, Antoine Dupont flung a long pass to Damian Penaud wide on the right and he switched the ball inside for Dulin to touch down.
Ntamack converted from a wide angle and Hogg’s yellow card at the end of the first half gave France cause for renewed optimism, even though they squandered another chance with a loose lineout. With the numerical advantage after the break, France hurled themselves forward in search of another try and it came when they countered from deep, Virimi Vakatawa made ground and the ball reached Penaud. The Clermont Auvergne wing chipped ahead, kicked the ball on and won the race to score, brilliantly.
In the 53rd minute, Scotland responded with a penalty by Russell to reduce the deficit to five points and at that stage, the French mission was in grave danger. It turned to dust as the ball went loose from an attacking Scottish lineout and Dave Cherry pounced for a try which Russell converted to put his side ahead.
France responded as Swan Rebbadj crashed over with 14 minutes to go. The title was out of reach, and victory too in the dying seconds but France did enough to claim second place.
FRANCE: Dulin; Penaud, Vakatawa (Thomas 60min), Vincent, Fickou; Ntamack, Dupont (Serin 71); Baille (Gros 56), Marchand (Chat 56), Haouas (Atonio 61); Le Roux (Taofifenua 50), Rebbadj; Jelonch (Cretin 30), Ollivon, Alldritt. Sub not used: Bouthier. Yellow card: Serin. SCOTLAND: Hogg; Graham (Jones 67), Harris, Johnson (Hastings 73), Van der Merwe; Russell, Price; Sutherland (Kebble 49), Turner (Cherry 59), Fagerson (Berghan 63-70); Skinner (Craig 75), Gilchrist; Ritchie, Watson, Haining (Wilson 67). Sub not used: Steele. Yellow card: Hogg. Red card: Russell. Referee: Wayne Barnes (RFU).