In a 12-try thriller, scores from Jack Brown, Fergus Watson, Ollie Blyth-Lafferty, Cameron Van Wyk and Freddy Douglas were the pick of an extensive highlight reel for Kenny Murray’s side, who pushed the champions all the way on their own patch.

The only two changes to the Scotland side came in the pack, with Seb Stephen and Bart Godsell in for Joe Roberts and Charlie Moss- who occupied spots on the bench.

The opening score came within the first 60 seconds in way of the hosts. A quick lineout from Jon Echegaray set the wheels in motion. After galloping carries from Baptiste Tilloles and Echegaray himself, arriving on the final support line to burrel over was Simeli Daunivucu. From dealing with the kick-off relatively comfortably, Scotland were dealt the worst possible start. Jean Cotarmanac’h had no problem with the conversion from underneath the posts. (7-0, 2 mins).

Scotland were under the pump in the early stages, repelling  further waves of French pressure as they looked to increase their lead. As play quickened, a certain of any Scotland U20 game emerged from the breakdown- Freddy Douglas with ball in hand, and another turnover was added to his showreel.

From the resultant scrum, Scotland replied in the most emphatic of fashions through Jack Brown. Noah Cowan moved the ball out the back to Urwin, who looked to the blindside for the lurking Kerr Yule. After giving one the slip, he shifted it inside for the charging Brown to steam through and level the scores. Urwin’s kicking hit the mark. (7-7, 7 mins).

Following the Scottish score, France’s Antoine Chalus-Cercy was shown the yellow card by referee Lex Weiner for making head contact with Yule in the build-up. The back-row’s only saviour was the fact that the Scotland centre was dropping in height entering the tackle. Nevertheless, Scotland were a man up with the bit between their teeth.

The power of the French came to fruition even with 14. A rolling maul started by Lyam Akrab’s lineout gave them sight of the line. From there, the hosts moved the ball sharply from right to left, where Akrab found himself at the end of the move. As Urwin looked to fend him off, the mismatch between forward and back favoured the hooker, who hit the whitewash emphatically. The extras were taken. (14-7, 14 mins).

The deficit was reduced by Urwin from under the posts after his pinpoint 50-22 gave Scotland some serious territory. Several powerful carries later from Reuben Logan and Kerr Yule caught Echegaray offside. The decision was for points on the board, which the fly-half had no issue taking. (14-10, 18 mins).

The home side secured their third try of the evening halfway through the first period. Again Scotland were met with the power of the maul, where Akrab was the orchestrator. As he searched for options, up popped Baptiste Tilloles, who did impressively to hold off two Scottish bodies on his descent to the line. The conversion was off the mark on this occasion (19-10, 20 mins).

The bonus point was on the board shortly after as France hit freeflow. An electric line break from captain Antoine Deliance opened the chance as he gathered hard yards. With speed off the deck and power in the tackle pushing Scotland back, it was Oliver Cowie who found himself as the spare man, and he hit the turf despite pressure from the visiting rearguard. The boot of Cotarmanac’h again did damage. (26-10, 23 mins).

Scotland had to regroup, with their need for the next try feeling undeniable. Just as the game may have been slipping from their grasp, they responded with vigour. What could only be described as a Hollywood pass out the back of the breakdown from Urwin had too much altitude for Echegaray, but was inch perfect for Fergus Watson- who was hugging the touchline. He plucked it from the Paris sky to reduce the arrears, although Urwin’s kick was milimetres wide. (26-15, 28 mins).

France’s fifth try of the night arrived in the form of Echegaray, as the offloads caught Scotland cold. Oliver Cowie was again at the heart of the attack, popping the ball off to his full-back, who threw an exquisite dummy before releasing his own shackles. Charging through the 22, he gleefully slid in to increase the advantage. Cotarmanac’h added the spares. (33-15, 35 mins).

As what could only be described as a crazy half of rugby came to a close, Scotland threw the next punch to round off the scoring. A penalty in midfield laid the foundations as Urwin thumped the ball to the corner. From the rolling maul, the forwards made a beeline for maximum points. They were rewarded for their sheer endeavour when Ollie Blyth-Lafferty dived over in the right corner after several phases. Urwin’s third conversion of the night snuck over, bringing a frantic 40 minutes to a close. (33-22, 37 mins).

Half-time: France U20  33-22  Scotland U20

Scotland got the first points of the second half through another Urwin penalty. France were penalised for not wrapping in the tackle, allowing Scotland to chip away at the lead instead of going for the corner. Urwin’s task was simple from little over five metres out, and the gap shrunk to eight. (33-25, 43 mins).

Echegaray doubled his try tally for the evening as he brilliantly picked up a bouncing ball on the run in the right channel. The searching cross-kick got the better of Nairn Moncrieff, allowing the Bordeaux man to nip in to steal the ball from under his nose. In a rarity, Cotarmanac’h ran out of time to take his conversion. (38-25, 47 mins).

The blue tails were up and France’s discipline was flagging. A succession of conceded penalties in their own 22 gave Scotland opportunity to push the issue. On this occasion, two Scottish substitutes were pivotal to secure the bonus point. A smooth lineout from Joe Roberts saw Reuben Logan meet another huge home tackle. As the ball moved to Urwin once more, another sky-bound kick this time headed the way of Cameron Van Wyk. In what was the most precise finish you’re likely to have seen this campaign, the Ayr man barely stayed in-touch by a blade of grass to dot down. On a night of wonder-tries, this was right up there. As for Van Wyk, had his boot size been one bigger, TMO Olly Hodges would have undoubtedly chalked it off. (38-30, 55 mins).

Just shy of the hour, France bit back and opened up the scoreboard to 15 through a barrage of strength and intricacy. Off the back of a midfield scrum the first few lines of Scottish defence were breached. Some phases later, the moment of invention came through Cowie, who flung an offload out the back door to Cotarmanac’h to get in on the act. He converted his own try. (45-30, 59 mins).

With seven minutes to go, Freddy Douglas wasn’t content with just his four jackal penalties and decided to add a try to his night’s work. After a nervy period of possession where they just about managed to keep hold of the ball, up stepped Douglas, posing as a one-man bulldozing machine. From approximately 40 metres out, he showed too much strength for three French defenders, bumping them off on his way to a stunning solo try. Brown nailed the conversion. (45-37, 74 mins).

In the final innings, Scotland were looking for any way to get themselves to within a converted score. They got the chance to restart within five points of their hosts through Urwin’s quick-thinking. As phases built on the right, the ball came back to the fly-half just inside the 22, and he lined up the posts to perfection, adding three more points to the Scottish tally and forcing the restart. (45-40, 79 mins).

Ultimately, it was just not quite enough as France got over the ball while Scotland built to try and land what would’ve been a knockout blow. Cotarmanac’h joyously tapped and sent the ball high into the stand to conclude the game and begin the celebrations, as France clinched the title following England’s loss to Wales in Cardiff.

Full-time: France U20  45-40  Scotland U20

Team sheets:

France U20: 15. Jon Echegaray, 14. Nolann Donguy, 13. Oliver Cowie, 12. Simeli Daunivucu, 11. Xan Mousques, 10. Jean Cotarmanac’h, 9. Baptiste Tilloles; 1. Samuel Jean-Christophe, 2. Lyam Akrab, 3. Mohamed Megherbi, 4. Charles Kante Samba, 5. Jacques Nguimbous, 6. Antoine Deliance (Captain), 7. Noa Traversier, 8. Antoine Chalus-Cercy.

Replacements: 16. Quentin Algay, 17. Lorencio Boyer Gallardo, 18. Jean-Yves Liufau, 19. Corentin Mēzou, 20. Mathis Baret, 21. Simon Daroque, 22. Hugo Pacome, 23. Mathys Belaubre.

Scotland U20: 15. Jack Brown, 14. Nairn Moncrieff  (both Edinburgh Rugby), 13. Angus Hunter (Heriot’s Rugby), 12. Kerr Yule, 11. Fergus Watson, 10. Matthew Urwin (all Glasgow Warriors), 9. Noah Cowan (Brunel University/Ealing Trailfinders); 1. Oliver McKenna (Glasgow Warriors), 2. Seb Stephen (Edinburgh Academical), 3. Ollie Blyth-Lafferty (Edinburgh Rugby), 4. Bart Godsell (Loughborough University), 5. Dan Halkon (Glasgow Warriors), 6. Oliver Duncan, 7. Freddy Douglas (Captain) (both Edinburgh Rugby), 8. Reuben Logan (Northampton Saints)

Replacements: 16. Joe Roberts (Glasgow Warriors), 17. Jake Shearer (Glasgow Warriors), 18. Jamie Stewart (Edinburgh Rugby), 19. Charlie Moss (Montpellier), 20. Mark Fyffe (University of Edinburgh), 21. Hamish MacArthur, 22. Ross Wolfenden (both Edinburgh Rugby), 23. Cameron Van Wyk  (Ayr RFC).

Player of the Match: John Echegaray (France)

Referee: Lex Weiner
AR1: Ben Breakspear
AR2:  Ben Connor
TMO: Olly Hodges