Scotland’s hopes of claiming the Guinness Six Nations title were dashed on Saturday evening as they fell to France 35-16 at the Stade de France. The match, marked by intense competition and pivotal moments, saw Scotland’s Tom Jordan lament the impact of his disallowed try, which many believe could have shifted the momentum of the game.
Facing off against the reigning champions, Scotland was poised to take the lead just before halftime. After Darcy Graham managed to equalize by scoring Scotland’s first try, Tom Jordan appeared to have crossed the line with another try following a brilliant run from Blair Kinghorn. The crowd ignited as Finn Russell prepared to take the conversion, which could have put Scotland 20-16 up at the break. But the joy was short-lived; the TMO intervened, ruling Jordan’s try disallowed due to Kinghorn's elbow being out of touch before the ball was grounded.
“It was unfortunate to get it disallowed,” said Jordan, reflecting on the moment which altered the game’s tide. “Then just after halftime, we had a really good attack but they ran the length to score and the momentum kind of swung.” After the disallowed try, France seized the opportunity and scored again through Louis Bielle-Biarrey, who opened the second half with another try, allowing the hosts to regain their footing.
Despite the setback, Scotland attempted to regroup but soon faced more trouble as France continued their scoring streak with tries from Thomas Ramos and Yoram Moefana. This relentless pressure overwhelmed the Scots, and they could not find the answer to counter the French attack.
With the loss, Scotland finished fourth for the second consecutive year, registering just two wins from five matches. The disappointment lingered as the team went back to the drawing board, but there were still bright spots worth noting. Tom Jordan, the New Zealand-born centre who is set to join Bristol next season, highlighted his pride for the team’s persistence and effort throughout the championship.
“I’m really grateful for every opportunity I’ve gotten. I loved every moment getting out there,” Jordan expressed, conveying his pride at representing Scotland on such prestigious ground. “To play at the Stade de France was awesome. It was absolutely unbelievable atmosphere, crazy.”
The atmosphere at the Stade was palpable as Scotland fans weighed their hopes against the historic French rugby crowd, which rallied for their team, needing the win to solidify their position at the top of the Six Nations standings. Scotland's performance showcased flashes of brilliance amid moments of heartbreak, and Jordan’s disallowed try was emblematic of the narrow margins within elite sport.
Following the match, Scotland’s head coach, who was visibly frustrated with the disallowed try, may have shared similar sentiments as his players. Decisions made during such tightly contested fixtures can influence the outcome significantly, and the feeling of what might have been hung heavy among the Scottish team.
Jordan added, “That was a couple of things, if they went our way and we had more scoreboard pressure, it might have been different.” These reflections resonate with sports fans everywhere, as teams often grapple with key decisions made during the game.
Although exiting the tournament with little to celebrate, Jordan remains optimistic about the development of Scottish rugby. “It’s been great these past few months,” he concluded. “I’ve just really enjoyed every moment.”
For Scotland, the search for consistency and resilience continues, as they will look to build on the lessons learned during the Six Nations moving forward. The challenge of returning to the top will require fortitude and focus, but the team remains hopeful, eyeing future competitions and the revival of their fortunes on the rugby pitch.
The match not only showcased the skill and determination of both teams but also served as a reminder of the unpredictability of sports, where every moment counts, and one play can change everything. The echoes of Jordan’s disappointment and the French party atmosphere will linger, as the rugby world awaits Scotland's next steps following their Six Nations campaign.