On Saturday, March 15, 2025, the French rugby team secured their second Six Nations Tournament title within 14 years, triumphing over Scotland with a decisive score of 35-16 at the Stade de France. It was a pivotal moment for the French players, who played before their home crowd, striving for victory after not having claimed the trophy since 2022.
Despite facing adversity, including the absence of their captain, Antoine Dupont, who is recovering from a serious knee injury, the French side rallied to showcase their strength and skill on the pitch. The match saw dazzling performances, particularly from Moefana, who notched two tries, and Thomas Ramos, who not only scored but also broke the record for points scored for the national team.
Moefana's contributions, combined with scores from Louis Bielle-Biarrey and Ramos, propelled France to their victory. Ramos's performance was particularly noteworthy as he surpassed Frédéric Michalak's previous points record, solidifying his status as one of France's top players. Post-match, Ramos expressed the sentiment among his teammates: “We spent 2023 and 2024 watching others lift trophies; today, it’s our turn,” he declared, emphasizing the relief and joy of finally seizing the championship.
Throughout the match, the dramatic shifts underscored the players' resilience. The first half closed with tensions high as the French team narrowly led 16-13, having faced considerable pressure from their opponents. There were worries about discipline as noted by coach Fabien Galthié, who advised players to maintain focus to avoid unnecessary fouls. "At halftime, we said we could do more; there was some tension against a team completely relaxed,” said Galthié, reflecting on the adjustments made during the break.
The Scottish side, determined not to be intimidated, exhibited formidable play early on, but the French regrouped after the break. Notably, France's performance included the impressive record of scoring 30 tries throughout the Tournament, breaking the previous record held by England since 2001. Bielle-Biarrey also made headlines, equaling his own record for most tries scored by successfully finding the end zone for the eighth time during this tournament.
The atmosphere at the Stade de France was electric, with 78,226 spectators witnessing the historic match. The crowd's energy significantly boosted the players, especially when the national anthem rang out, prompting cheers and excitement among fans. Ramos, celebrated as the man of the match, noted: “We knew where we wanted to go, and over our last three matches, we’ve demonstrated our potential.”
Returning to the final moments of the game, with the French team solidifying their lead, players celebrated their achievements and anticipated future challenges. Bielle-Biarrey humbly stated he preferred the team’s victory to his record, emphasizing the importance of team success over individual accolades. “I’m just very happy we won this match more than for this record,” he reiterated.
Looking forward, teammates expressed their aspirations for upcoming tournaments, knowing they have the foundation and talent to challenge for more titles. “This win doesn’t satisfy us; we’ll be back stronger. The younger players are extraordinary, and we will continue to build on this momentum,” declared Ntamack, reflecting the belief within the squad about their bright future.
With palpable excitement, many within the squad also expressed their desire for Dupont to lift the trophy had his injury not sidelined him. “We wanted to see Antoine lift the Cup,” said Alldritt, capturing the spirit of solidarity and the aspirations of the team. Discussions about redemption and future tournaments flowed, as players knew they had more work to do after painful defeats, including their loss at the recent World Cup.
Overall, the 35-16 victory marked not just the end of the current tournament, but also the heralding of a new chapter for French rugby, underlined by resilience, camaraderie, and unyielding ambition. Their performance serves as inspiration for future matches and upcoming players as French rugby rallies for continued success.