On March 16, 2025, the XV de France celebrated a much-awaited triumph after defeating Scotland 35-16 at the Stade de France, effectively securing the Six Nations Tournament title for the first time since 2022. This victory marks France's return to the forefront of European rugby, putting them back on the throne after the previous champions, Ireland, who had clinched back-to-back titles.
The match itself unfolded with considerable tension, as France only held a slim lead of 16-13 at halftime. The players, led by coach Fabien Galthié, reflected on the indiscipline shown during the first half, which included penalties and yellow cards, particularly for Peato Mauvaka, whose early foul shifted momentum, providing Scotland with the opportunity to regroup and challenge the French defense.
"Les Écossais n'ont parlé que de ça," noted Eurosport citing the frustration surrounding Mauvaka's yellow card, which could have drastically affected the outcome of the game. Despite these early hurdles, the French side displayed immense resolve after the break, launching themselves decisively against their opponents.
Scottish attempts to exploit their numerical advantage through Finn Russell’s gameplay only momentarily held off the French offensive. The momentum shifted dramatically when Romain Ntamack's counter-attack allowed Louis Bielle-Biarrey to score just after the second half commenced, extending the lead to 23-13 just minutes after the restart.
Thomas Ramos contributed significantly to the scoreline, extending his standing as the all-time top scorer for the XV de France, achieving this remarkable feat during the tournament. He scored again during the match, followed shortly by another try from Yoram Moefana, securing the match's outcome and solidifying France’s dominance with impressive statistics. France’s remarkable achievement of 30 tries throughout the tournament set them apart, exceeding the previous record set by England.
By the culmination of the match, France had not only achieved victory but also etched their performance as historically significant, outperforming their own benchmarks. "En termes de performance, c'est plus fort que le Grand Chelem 2022," emphasized Galthié about the team’s performance level following the match, attributing the improving strategic approach to the support and morale boost provided by their captain, Antoine Dupont, who watched from the sidelines due to injury.
The audience engagement reached unprecedented levels, with 9.5 million viewers watching the match on France 2, which secured the highest ratings since the Rugby World Cup 2023, boasting impressive audience shares of 46.1%.”
This audience surge reflects the growing fandom and enthusiasm surrounding rugby, with fans eager to witness France's return to the top of the Six Nations hierarchy. France 2 also reported considerable viewership throughout the tournament, leading up to the finale, with earlier matches attracting millions, reaffirming the sport's popularity across the nation.
Notably, prior to France entering this match, England’s overpowering performance of 68-14 against Wales had set the stage for a battle for the title, increasing the stakes for the French team. Their determination to emerge victorious was palpable as the players took to the field, fully aware of the calculations required to reclaim their status.
The matchday experience was filled with energy as the Stade de France echoed with the cheers from passionate fans. The exhilarating atmosphere combined with the urgency of the championship stakes made this occasion none other than memorable, culminating with Ramos’s and Moefana's closing tries sealing France’s historic win.
Despite the heavy penalties France received, totaling 11 against Scotland's 12, which included two yellow cards, the management and players successfully recalibrated their approach during the halftime break. The sense of urgency they established allowed them to enjoy playing and maximize their skills on the pitch.
At the final whistle, the players could finally celebrate their long-awaited success. The trophy raised high, symbolized the culmination of hard work, dedication, and the unyielding spirit of the French rugby team. This latest victory serves as both validation of their efforts and a commitment to exploring greater heights in their campaign moving forward.
Looking beyond the triumph of the Six Nations, attention now turns to how the XV de France will build on this performance as they prepare for future competitions. Coach Galthié's vision, paired with the talent and enthusiasm of the players, hints at even more exciting developments to come within French rugby, rejuvenated aboard the high tide of this recent achievement. The big question now? How far can this team go?