Six Nations 2022: Scotland 17-36 France - Unbeaten visitors earn stunning six-try win

France effectively ended Scotland's Six Nations hopes and maintained their own Grand Slam ambitions with a ruthlessly accomplished bonus-point victory at Murrayfield.

The French crossed twice in the first 13 minutes through Paul Willemse and Yoram Moefana to amass a lead that they would never sacrifice.

Scotland responded admirably, and were within two points thanks to Rory Darge's debut try, but went in at the break nine in arrears after Gael Fickou crossed to compound the pain of a glorious missed chance by the hosts.

And Gregor Townsend's side were further punished for that profligacy when Jonathan Danty benefitted from a fortuitous bounce and Damian Penaud plunged over twice in the second half to put the dominant French out of sight long before Duhan van der Merwe's final-minute score.

France now go to Cardiff in two weeks with a first title in 12 years in their sights, while Scotland travel to Italy knowing they are playing for little more than pride after another campaign of what ifs and maybes.

France came to Edinburgh with some lousy recent history, a succession of defeats to avenge — and avenge them they did. We suspected that this incarnation of Les Bleus was different to the flaky versions that went before and here, following on from their defeat of the Irish a fortnight ago, was further proof of it.

They were utterly ruthless. A powerhouse but also a thing of beauty. They were far too clinical far too often for Scotland, who are now staring down the barrel of a hugely disappointing season.

The Scots had chances, two in as many minutes in the first half but spilled the ball on both occasions. Murrayfield's angst would have been audible in Paris. Injuries plagued them, particularly in the back-row, but they made too