A torrid opening 20 minutes ultimately proved costly for Scotland as their perfect start to the Guinness Six Nations campaign came to an end with a 32-21 defeat by France in Paris.
Gregor Townsend’s side were ripped apart early on as the hosts raced into a 19-0 lead through tries from Romain Ntamack, Ethan Dumortier and Thomas Ramos.
This frenetic period also included red cards for Scotland’s Grant Gilchrist and France’s Mohamed Haouas. The Scots played their way back into the match with two tries from Huw Jones and one from Finn Russell, but the hosts killed off their hopes of a famous fightback with a late try from Gael Fickou.
Mere moments after being announced as Man of the Match, @FickouG scores the try to seal the win. #FRAvSCO | @FranceRugby pic.twitter.com/ThC1Z6jelt — Guinness Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) February 26, 2023 France made the breakthrough in the fifth minute when Ntamack bolted over on the left after being set up by Antoine Dupont who had collected the ball from the back of a ruck.