France clinched the Six Nations title on March 15, 2025, after showcasing their prowess against Scotland with a commanding 35-16 victory at the Stade de France. This win not only secured their first championship title since 2022 but also etched several records along the way, as the French rugby team delivered outstanding performances throughout the tournament.
The match began with early momentum for France, as Thomas Ramos slotted home a penalty just four minutes in. The French team, eager to dominate, took full advantage of Scotland's Jamie Ritchie receiving a yellow card shortly thereafter. French centre Yoram Moefana seized the opportunity to score the first try of the evening at the 17-minute mark, capitalizing on the man advantage.
Despite the early pressure from France, the Scots quickly regrouped. Darcy Graham crossed the line for Scotland's only try of the match, leveling the score briefly at 13 all before halftime when Finn Russell successfully converted. The tension was palpable, with both teams trading penalties until Ramos regained the lead for France just before the break.
While France entered halftime with the slender advantage of 16-13, momentum switched firmly to their side after the intermission. Coach Fabien Galthie's strategy, involving the 'Bomb Squad' with six forward changes early in the second half, proved effective, as France dominated both possession and territory. Louis Bielle-Biarrey scored his record-equalling eighth try of the championship, pulling France comfortably ahead.
Ramos was instrumental as he not only crossed for another try but also converted three penalties and made three conversions during the match, bringing his Test points tally to 450 and surpassing Frederic Michalak's previous record of 436 points. This remarkable feat officially made him France's all-time leading scorer.
Moefana added his second try and secured the bonus point as France displayed undeniable dominance. "It's relief to win after two years seeing the others lift trophies," Ramos remarked after the match. The French team's total of 30 tries during the tournament far exceeded England's previous record of 29 set during their championship-winning year of 2001.
On the other hand, Scotland, under the guidance of coach Gregor Townsend, struggled against the relentless French attack. Although players like Blair Kinghorn and Finn Russell showcased their individual talents by making impactful plays, it wasn’t enough to shift the tide. Russell’s contributions included 11 points and significant passes but were overshadowed by missed opportunities.
Despite their efforts, including Graham’s early try and several offensive sequences, Scotland’s shortcomings were highlighted by the disallowed try by Tom Jordan, ruled out after replays confirmed the winger had stepped out of bounds prior to scoring. Townsend recognized the positives, stating, "We created things and the effort was there until the 80th minute," and added, "There's a lot to be proud of and build on."
France’s victory not only celebrated their current talent but also signaled the effectiveness of Galthie’s coaching philosophy. This championship marks Galthie's second title since he took the helm of the national team. It’s clear from the performance against Scotland and throughout the tournament, particularly with the impressive showing against Italy and Ireland, how well Galthie has steered the team.
"It was not the scenario we had anticipated, it was a very difficult game, but the team reacted well," Galthie reflected on the match post-game. He credited the well-prepared squad for delivering another spectacular performance, dramatically improving their standing after losing narrowly to England earlier in the season.
The victory at the Stade de France has set the stage for Les Bleus to move forward with confidence, taking full advantage of home-field support and winter training. Players such as Bielle-Biarrey, who directly contributed to 13 tries throughout the tournament and holds the record for most try involvements, will be pivotal assets for upcoming international competitions.
Overall, France's strong finish to the Six Nations has reignited hopes among fans and players alike. The performance on Saturday against Scotland not only earned them well-deserved silverware but also hinted at brighter prospects for the future.