France thrash Scots to stay on course for Grand Slam

France stayed on course for their first Six Nations Grand Slam and title since 2010 with a thumping 36-17 victory over Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday.

The French ran in six tries - including two from Damian Penaud - to set them up nicely for their two remaining matches away to reigning champions Wales and then at home to England.

France might have been thwarted by Scotland in their last two Six Nations campaigns but there was little doubt about them winning this time after they ran in three tries in the first half by lock Paul Willemse, winger Yoram Moefana and centre Gael Fickou.

Further tries by returning centre Jonathan Denty and Penaud's brace secured their first Six Nations win in Edinburgh since 2014 and their third win out of three in this year's championship.

"We will savour the moment," said head coach Fabien Galthie.

"We prepared for this to the finest detail. The players produced an extraordinary performance.

"We will spend a while recovering but first let us savour this!"

Scotland, weakened by injury and illness in their forwards, managed just the two tries, courtesy of flanker Rory Darge and winger Duhan van der Merwe.

After opening their campaign with the bang of an opening day victory against England, Gregor Townsend's side find themselves out of the title race, having lost to Wales two weeks ago

France could even afford the luxury of a wayward afternoon with the boot by their usually trusty place-kicker Melvyn Jaminet, the Perpignan fullback missing two penalties and two of his five conversion attempts.

Inch-perfect

It was a dazzling seventh minute break by France's scrumhalf and captain Antoine Dupont that set the dynamic attacking tone and teed up the opening try.

From swiftly recycled possession, hooker