France faced Scotland at the Stade de France on March 15, 2025, with the opportunity to clinch the Six Nations title solidly within their grasp. All they needed was a win against the Scots after both Ireland and England had put pressure on them earlier on Super Saturday with their respective victories. France entered the match with high hopes, especially after their last impressive performance where they took down Ireland last weekend.
This match was especially significant for France, as they were determined to deliver for captain Antoine Dupont, who was sidelined due to a serious knee injury. Coach Fabien Galthié made key adjustments, opting for Maxime Lucu to lead from the scrum half position, and included Gaël Fickou for his depth of experience.
At the kick-off, the atmosphere was electric, with fans cheering on both sides. France opened the scoring early with Thomas Ramos kicking three points down the center of the posts, showcasing their dominance from the get-go. Scotland, fighting to make their mark, had committed penalties but struggled to turn them directly to points. Star performer Finn Russell had his hands full with France's relentless offensive play and struggled to find consistency.
France quickly escalated their position to 10-0 when Yoram Moefana scored the first try of the match, neatly finishing off the elegant work from Fickou, who had made strides through the Scottish defense. Ramos converted successfully, cementing his status as France’s all-time leading points scorer.
Scotland, not ready to bow out easily, rallied back as Darcy Graham showcased his impressive skills to reply with Scotland's first try at the 28th minute, giving Scotland a glimmer of hope. The try reflected their ability to break through the French defense, and Russell's successful conversion brought the score closer at 13-10.
After Graham's try, the match took on a physical tone. Peato Mauvaka of France was sent to the sin bin for a headbutt, leaving the hosts at a numerical disadvantage. Russell made the most of this opportunity and notched another penalty through his pinpoint accuracy, narrowing the gap at 10-13.
The first half continued to be punctuated by both teams struggling for control. While Scotland fought hard to contain the French advances, France imposed their attacking prowess repeatedly. Scotland’s Jamie Ritchie had his own moment of trouble, receiving a yellow card as Scotland began to falter under the tremendous pressure.
Even with Scotland's tenacity, France's continuous attacks proved detrimental. They responded fiercely through their aggressive mauling setups, and the crowd roared with each advancement. France solidified their score when Ramos converted again, pushing the score to 16-10 by the end of the first half.
After the break, both teams regrouped, yet France's power was undeniable. Mauvaka returned from his yellow card, but the hosts kept on the offensive, showing their depth and athleticism. The strategy relied on their forwards’ ability to overwhelm the Scots relentlessly, which France has perfected under Galthié’s leadership.
Scotland made some promising moves, with Russell connecting well with Graham again, but it wasn’t enough to match France's intensity. With fresh legs of French substitutes entering the match, they started creating havoc and shortening the passing game, enhancing their scoring opportunities.
Despite Scotland’s improved performance, they now faced even more challenges as France ratcheted up the pressure, dominating scrums and lineouts. A relentless barrage meant Scotland was on the ropes, but they still sought strategies to retrieve control.
With each passing minute, the pressure mounted. Scotland’s discipline faltered, leading to missed opportunities as penalties kept lurking around. France, sensing victory, advanced again with another enticing set-play leading to Ramos adding more points from six meters out.
France’s defensive organization was on full display, stymying Scotland's attempts to break through and sealing their fate as they clinched the match with increasingly greater margins. The final results echoed through the stadium as the home team triumphed—a victory achieved not just for the scoreboard but for the nation’s pride following the injury setbacks.
With clears skies evident now, the end score marked France at 27 and Scotland held at 20. France walked away victorious, achieving not just another win but the prestigious Six Nations Championship trophy. Galthié’s men celebrated their success, tipped as formidable contenders moving forward. Meanwhile, Scotland, though disappointed, gained valuable experience and growth through this climactic finish.