Six Nations 2024: Scotland denied by late TMO call as France hold on for 20-16 win

Scotland had been denied by an inconclusive last-gasp strive evaluate as France held on to win a tense Six Nations encounter at Murrayfield.

Louis Bielle-Biarrey produced the decisive rating in a cagey second half after Ben White and Gael Fickou traded tries in a primary half the hosts had a lot the higher of.

“Personally, I believe it was a try,” stated Scotland captain Finn Russell instantly after the sport. “But it’s up to the referee.”

Exasperated head coach Gregor Townsend added: “We were celebrating in the coaches box. We could hear the TMO’s conversation with the referee, saying ‘the ball was on foot, then the ball was down’ and then he changes his mind and says ‘stick with the on-field decision’. I don’t know what you can say.”

Both groups sit on one win after Scotland’s nervous success in Wales as France recovered from a report dwelling defeat to Ireland.

France have now received 10 of their final 12 Six Nations matches, solely developing quick towards the defending champions in that run.

Scotland, who had been aiming for a fifth successive dwelling victory, could really feel they had been robbed by a merciless determination however actually ought to have been additional forward by the break.

At 10:00 within the morning Harry Paterson was instructed he was making his Scotland debut, with Kyle Steyn’s spouse going into labour. Ten minutes into the sport, the 22-year-old was instrumental within the opening rating.

With simply eight appearances for Edinburgh beneath his belt, the full-back performed a key position in a powerful surge that ended with White slithering over the road.

Fickou regarded sure to reply following a searing line break, solely to be grappled by Duhan van der Merwe simply in need of the road, with the Scotland winger shortly again on his ft to grab a unfastened move.

Just as Scotland nudged 10 factors clear with Russell’s second penalty, a lapse from the restart was to show expensive, with Fickou offered with a transparent run to the nook.

Scotland ended the primary half camped on the French line and amid the stress Uini Antonio was despatched to chill off for a no arms deal with, however the hosts did not take benefit, dropping out in a scrum beneath the posts, and trotted off simply 13-10 in entrance.

There was additional frustration for the Scots after the resumption of play as France held agency with out a lot fuss for the remainder of Antonio’s absence and extra groans from dwelling supporters as Maxime Lucu simply beat the greedy fingers of White to a bobbling ball within the scoring zone.

Just shy of the hour mark, Russell knocked over one other penalty to nudge the scoreboard again into life.

Kicks continued to ping forwards and backwards in relatively drab trend, earlier than a flash of inspiration from Bielle-Biarrey moved France inside some extent.

Gathering a tough, flat move on the touchline, the 20-year-old chipped excessive and gathered for his fifth worldwide strive.

Thomas Ramos added the extras to offer the guests the lead for the primary time, then added a penalty.

Scotland didn’t have lengthy to discover a manner again and the trigger regarded misplaced when Kyle Rowe set off on a lung-bursting run solely to lose the ball ahead deep in France territory.

But the Scots did summon one final assault and had been satisfied Sam Skinner had obtained the ball down earlier than a chronic and anxious wait ended with a torrent of boos aimed on the officers.

‘We felt we received the sport’ – response

Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend: “You’ve got to win the game and not put it in the hands of TMOs and referees and that is what we will work on.

“We had been in command of the sport and in management a lot of the manner in robust situations. We needed to play a distinct manner and I’m actually upset we did not win the sport. We felt we received the sport – we noticed the ball on the strive line.

“There is a lot to be proud of but disappointing not to get the win. Harry Paterson was great, one of the best debuts I’ve seen. To perform like that when you’ve got four hours preparations, maybe less, shows the quality of player he is. He was on it and it shows he’s a real talent.

“The gamers are doing effectively, main for 75 minutes right now and 80 minutes final week. England (at dwelling subsequent) is our greatest sport of the season.”

Scotland: Paterson; Rowe, Jones, Tuipulotu, Van der Merwe; Russell (co-capt), White; Schoeman, Turner, Z Fagerson, Gilchrist, Cummings, M Fagerson, Darge (co-capt), Dempsey.

Replacements: Ashman, Hepburn, Millar-Mills, Skinner, Christie, Horne, Healy, Redpath.

France: Ramos, Penaud, Fickou, Danty, Bielle-Biarrey; Jalibert, Lucu; Baille, Mauvaka, Atonio, Woki, Gabrillagues, Cros, Ollivon, Alldritt (capt).

Replacements: Marchand, S Taofifenua, Aldegheri, Tuilagi, Roumat, Boudehent, Le Garrec, Moefana.