France secured an important victory over Scotland in the Six Nations this afternoon, with a superb late solo try from Louis Bielle-Biarrey leading the team to a 20-16 win at Murrayfield. However, there was some controversy surrounding a match-deciding refereeing decision that went against the home team in the closing moments.
It was a game that the French needed to win to maintain any realistic chance of winning this year's championship, while the Scots were hoping to build on the momentum gained after their win in Cardiff last weekend.
Right from the outset of this game, it was clear that Scotland were the better side. They dominated both in terms of territory and possession and should have led by more than the three points at the interval.
They went in 13-10 ahead with some help from this early try from Ben White.
🤩 Top class from @ScotlandTeam 🔥
Ben White opens the scores in Edinburgh 🙌#GuinnessM6N #SCOFRA pic.twitter.com/0ElkPsZlaf— Guinness Men's Six Nations (@SixNationsRugby) February 10, 2024
The second half was a low scoring affair, with a Finn Russell penalty on the hour mark the first score of the period.
Scotland could never quite create enough in attack to make sure that they won the game, something that came back to bite them. This try from Bielle-Biarrey would prove to be the difference between the sides.
𝐁𝐈𝐄𝐋𝐋𝐄-𝐁𝐈𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐄𝐘! ⚡️
France score out of nowhere and they lead for the first time!
🏴 16-17 🇫🇷#SCOvFRA | #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/Fpi9DVZPYU— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) February 10, 2024
However, Scotland thought they had won the game at the end.
They crossed the line in the dying seconds, only for referee Nic Berry to say the ball was held up. While the replays would suggest that the ball was probably grounded, the TMO could not say with 100 per cent certainty that the ball had been touched down.
As a result, the decision could not be overturned.
𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐀𝐍 𝐄𝐍𝐃 𝐓𝐎 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐆𝐀𝐌𝐄! 🤯
▪️ Scotland think they score
▪️ 80th minute match winning try
▪️ Referee doesn't give it
▪️ Lengthy TMO check
▪️ Not enough evidence to reverse it
Full-time score:
🏴 16-20 🇫🇷#SCOvFRA | #GuinnessSixNations pic.twitter.com/AjJFrGKxkk— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) February 10, 2024
In the end, the decision went against the home team.
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Nigel Owens explains controversial call in Scotland vs France Six Nations clash
Scotland may well feel hard done by on this occasion, with most rugby fans agreeing that the ball had been touched down during this incident. However, the on-field decision from the referee meant that it was very difficult to overturn the call.
Speaking on the BBC after the game, former referee Nigel Owens said that the officials probably reached the correct decision based on refereeing protocols, although he admitted that it is likely that it was a try.
When the referee gives an on-field decision, you have to have clear evidence to overturn that decision.
Now, it's a very, very difficult decision to make as you said in the studio. It all comes down to the TMO and the 'clear evidence'.
It looks like it's probably on the ground. Is there enough for them to say 100 per cent that it is scored? Probably not.
It's one of those really, really tough ones, but the ball looks like it is on the ground.
It's a very tough one, they will be debating this one for a long time I think. I'm glad that I'm sitting here and not out on the field.
This result means that Scotland's Grand Slam hopes are over, while France are back in the championship mix after bouncing back from last weekend's defeat to Ireland.
It should make for an exciting few weeks ahead in the Six Nations.
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