French respond to coach’s taunts with a stunning late victory.
France kept their Six Nations titles hopes alive with a last gasp 19-17 win away to Scotland at Murrayfield on Saturday.
The Scots were on the brink of winning their first Test in eight matches against France when New Zealand referee Chris Pollock awarded a debatable penalty in front of the posts as the ball came out from a ruck.
Replacement Jean-Marc Doussain made sure of the kick and there was barely any time left for Scotland to mount a comeback.
Victory — France’s first away from home since winning at Murrayfield two years ago — left Philippe Saint-Andre’s side in with a shout of a winner-takes-all clash with title rivals Ireland in Paris next week.
An entertaining first half ended with Scotland 14-9 in front after Stuart Hogg and Tommy Seymour scored tries converted by Greig Laidlaw, with recalled scrum-half Maxime Machenaud kicking three penalties for the visitors.
France wing Yoann Huget’s converted intercept try early in the second half saw the French go 16-14 in front and threatened to knock the wind out of Scotland’s sails.
But with fly-half Duncan Weir, whose last minute drop-goal secured a 21-20 win away to Italy, landing a key penalty after throwing the poor pass that led to Huget’s try, Scotland had a one-point lead heading into the final quarter.
Scotland coach Scott Johnson recalled captain Kelly Brown in one of three changes to the pack.
Brown replaced Glasgow’s Chris Fusaro, while Geoff Cross and David Denton also come into the pack in place of Moray Low and Ryan Wilson.
France kicked-off with a side showing seven changes to the one thrashed 26-7 by Wales last time out — a loss that prompted Saint-Andre to label his team “cry babies”.
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