Scotland make French fumble title
Scotland produced their best performance in years as Vern Cotter's side ran in three tries to two to claim back-to-back wins in the tournament for the first time in three years, and in the process secured their first win over France in 10 years.
The result also ensured that the unbeaten England were handed the Six Nations title.
A win over Ireland in Dublin next week could give the Scots a creditable third place finish while the French will host England in Paris with their championship hopes in tatters. France came into the match needing to win by a big margin to harbour any realistic hopes of overtaking unbeaten England for the Six Nations title.
Coach Guy Noves brought in potent firepower in the back division in the shape of Wesley Fofana, Gael Fickou and Scott Spedding, looking for a cutting edge that was missing in the loss to Wales.
His Scottish counterpart and close friend from their Top 14 club rivalry, Vern Cotter, opted for stability on the back of the away win over Italy with just two changes - Alex Dunbar in at centre for the injured Matt Scott and Josh Strauss adding some bulk to the back row.
Scotland charged into the French 22 from the off, but on the counter attack the visitors broke clear through the middle. The ball was worked out to wing Virimi Vakatawa, who fed inside to Fofana and he found captain Guilhem Guirado at his shoulder to charge over for the opening score.
Flyhalf Francois Trinh-Duc missed the conversion and he then sent a straight forward penalty attempt wide, as France turned on the early pressure. Scrumhalf Greig Laidlaw, winning his 50th cap for Scotland and 25th as captain, then opened his side's account with two easy penalties after 15 and 20 minutes as the Scottish pack drove forward.
Against the run of play, Scotland had their noses in front at 6-5 and it brought a period of sustained pressure from the home side. Duncan Taylor first punched a hole in the French defence and then Richie Grey powered to just short of the line. Laidlaw spun the ball out from the breakdown and Stuart Hogg jinked his way over.
Laidlaw missed the conversion, but four minutes later Taylor broke clear from near his own 22-metre line puncturing some sloppy French defending and racing the length of the field to touch down for a superb individual try.
This time Laidlaw converted and suddenly it was 18-5 for the home side. France needed a quick response before half-time and they got it right on the whistle as Fickou darted over after a multi-phase action.
Scrumhalf Maxime Machenaud slotted the conversion to send the sides in at 18-12 for Scotland. A long-range Hogg penalty eased Scotland ahead 21-12 five minutes into the second half only for Machenaud to reply in kind three minutes later.
France turned down another penalty kick at goal to go in search of a third try, but the Scottish defence held firm. Shortly afterwards Machenaud reduced the deficit to three points from much further out after another Scottish infringement.
Scotland worked their way deep into French territory from the kick-off and two charging runs from Richie Gray and Willem Nel to just short of the line, fixed the French defence and Tim Visser dived over in the corner on a tap-on pass from Hogg when the ball was swung left.
The Scots had a 26-18 lead with 10 minutes to go and another Laidlaw penalty gave his side some breathing space at 29-18. Fickou sped over for a desperate France but he was called back by the referee, allowing Hogg to clear the danger and secure a famous win.
Man of the match: French captain Guilhem Guirado was once again at the forefront for the visitors while scrumhalf Maxime Machenaud played out of his skin to single handedly keep his side in the contest. Scottish captain Greig Laidlaw was once again crucial to keeping his side ahead their opponents with his boot while Josh Strauss provided plenty of grunt and physicality. However, Stuart Hogg provided plenty of spark, slotted a mamoth 54 metre penalty kick and his flick pass to set up Tim Visser's try was the icing on a spectacular performance.
Moment of the match: It was a moment of individual brilliance provided by a quick thinking centre. Duncan Taylor's 36th minute score came as a result of a quickly taken penalty in which he showed plenty of speed to sprint 50 metres to grab a crucial try just before half-time.
Villain of the match: France flyhalf Francois Trinh-Duc had a game he will want to forget, as his wayward kicking from the tee cost his side some valuable points and the potential to win the match which would have kept them in contention for the Six Nations title.
Scorers:
For Scotland:
Tries: Hogg, Taylor, Visser
Con: Laidlaw
Pens: Laidlaw 3, Hogg
For France:
Tries: Guirado, Fickou
Con: Machenaud
Pens: Machenaud 2
Teams:
Scotland: 15 Stuart Hogg, 14 Tommy Seymour, 13 Duncan Taylor, 12 Alex Dunbar, 11 Tim Visser, 10 Finn Russell, 9 Greig Laidlaw, 8 Josh Strauss, 7 John Hardie, 6 John Barclay, 5 Jonny Gray, 4 Richie Gray, 3 Willem Nel, 2 Ross Ford, 1 Alasdair Dickinson.
Replacements: 16 Stuart McInally, 17 Rory Sutherland, 18 Moray Low, 19 Tim Swinson, 20 Ryan Wilson, 21 Sam Hidalgo-Clyne, 22 Pete Horne, 23 Sean Lamont.
France: 15 Scott Spedding, 14 Wesley Fofana, 13 Gael Fickou, 12 Maxime Mermoz, 11 Virimi Vakatawa, 10 Francois Trinh-Duc, 9 Maxime Machenaud, 8 Yacouba Camara, 7 Damien Chouly, 6 Wenceslas Lauret, 5 Alexandre Flanquart, 4 Yoann Maestri, 3 Rabah Slimani, 2 Guilhem Guirado (captain), 1 Jefferson Poirot.
Replacements: 16 Camille Chat, 17 Uini Atonio, 18 Vincent Pelo, 19 Sebastien Vahaamahina, 20 Loann Goujon, 21 Sebastien Bezy, 22 Jules Plisson, 23 Maxime Medard.
Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand)