France took another step towards the Six Nations title and a potential Grand Slam as they eased to a 36-17 win against Scotland at Murrayfield.
After wins against Italy and Ireland, France returned to the pitch where their Grand Slam hopes came to a grinding halt two years ago.
But that never looked likely from the moment Paul Willemse put them in front early on, and five more tries would follow in another statement win for the French. Scotland fell to a second consecutive defeat, as they
After four minutes of scrums to start the match, France burst into lift as Willemse went over for the first try of the match following a brilliant burst from Antoine Dupont.
Finn Russell got Scotland on the board with a penalty, before France extended their lead as Cyril Baille produced a wonderful offload and Yoram Moefana bundled over the tryline.
Scotland responded well and pinned France back on their own tryline, and the pressure eventually told as Rory Darge burst through to get his side back within two points.
Stuart Hogg missed a huge chance to put Scotland in front as a floated pass came out to him completely free, but he fumbled the ball and the knock-on let France off the hook.
It was even more costly just before the break, as Gael Fickou burst across the pitch and finished superbly in the corner to give France a 19-10 lead at half-time.
Two minutes after the break, the lead with 16 points. Ali Price lost the ball, France flew up the pitch and an aerial ball dropped invitingly for Jonathan Danty to go over for his side’s fourth try as he secured the bonus point.
Any hope of a Scotland comeback was ended with 20 minutes remaining. Fickout stripped the ball at the maul, it was flung wide to Damian Penaud and he went over under no pressure. Jaminet’s conversion smacked against the post, but the lead of 31-10 was a dominant one.
France had chances to extend it even further in the final minutes and did so as Penaud got his second of the match, coming from a wonderful crossfield kick from Romain Ntamack.
Duhan van der Merwe went over under the posts in the final minute to give the home fans one last cheer, but it had no impact on the result as France eased to a much-deserved win.
Their focus now shifts to a trip to Cardiff in two weeks time, while Scotland need to regroup ahead of a visit to face Italy.
