France U20 v Scotland U20 - Scottish Rugby

22:20

Thank you, and good night

That wraps up the live match centre from tonight’s final U20 Six Nations Championship round match between Scotland and France, in Paris.

The final score tonight, France 45 – 40 Scotland.

Thank you all for joining us. We look forward to bringing you live match centre coverage in tomorrow’s 2025 Guinness Men’s Six Nations match, between France and Scotland.

We hope you will join us for that. Signing off for now.

22:15

A look back on the moments of the second half

FT

Full time debrief

France are crowned U20 Six Nations champions, thanks to the earlier result in Cardiff, where Wales held off the table-topping English to prevail 23 – 13.

That left the door open for the French to do exactly what they have done tonight. A clinical performance from them – they looked dangerous whenever they had the ball in hand.

An absolutely astounding result all round. If you think back to the Scotland side that lost 22 – 10 at home to Italy in the first round of this championship, that side has come so far from that point to push the champions the whole way.

This is a result Scotland can truly be proud of.

The highlight reel is extensive:

Cameron van Wyk scoring an incredible debut try under immense pressure;
captain Freddy Douglas’ incredible solo try and four jackal penalties;
Matthew Urwin’s incredible kicking which included a drop goal to put the men in blue in with a shot to win in Paris – to name but a few.

Now for the men’s team to replicate this kind of performance tomorrow. They have high standards to live up to if this match is anything to go by.

FT

Penalty France, game ends

They catch the restart and begin to build towards the midfield.

The French are defending desperately, and the ref blows his whistle – a penalty, for France.

The celebrations begin as Cotarmanac’h taps and sends the ball skyward into the stands, to bring the game to a close.

79'

Dropped goal! Scotland have a chance

From the French scrum,it’s thumped downfield for van Wyk to return, and he does.

The ball falls to Logan, who bursts through one tackle and reaches the 22. They go side to side, with Stephen the extra man on the outside – he doesn’t have the legs though!

The ball is hooked back to Urwin, who snaps a drop goal towards the posts – and it’s over!!!! With time still on the clock, Scotland are still alive.

78'

Knocked on though

It’s gone forward at the very back of the scrum, though.

That may be the last chance now, with 90 seconds on the clock.

78'

Grandstand finish

And they win a penalty! Just inside their own half, the decision is to thump it down the field to the edge of the 22 on the right hand side.

Jon Echegaray has been named the Player of the Match, and deservedly so!

76'

Last minutes now

Going into the final four minutes now.

Just one point will gain Scotland an extra bonus point and take them above the Irish in the final standings.

What can they work up?

75'

Final change

Final change for Scotland: Hamish MacArthur for Noah Cowan after Freddy’s try.

74'

TRY Scotland

Freddy Douglas has won approximately four jackal penalties tonight – outstanding, as per usual.

Scotland are making metres now after a shaky spell of possession.

Here comes that man though, Douglas!

Steamrolling defenders, barging his way through from just on 40 metres out. He drops the shoulder, bumping off one, two, three on his way to the line.

An outstanding solo try.

Brown lines up this conversion from the touchline, and nails it. (France 45 – 37 Scotland)

70'

10 minutes remain

A few running repairs for the Scots, as the crowd attendance for tonight is announced as 13,043.

68'

More Scotland subs

Jamie Stewart comes on for Blyth-Lafferty, Charlie Moss is on for Bart Godsell, and Mark Fyffe on for Oli Duncan.

66'

Sub for Scotland

A break as Yule’s hand or wrist is seen to by the medical team.

He will be substituted, he looks okay though, thankfully.

On for him comes Ross Wolfenden.

68'

Scrum penalty Scotland

A scrum penalty won by the Scots, and the roars of the pack erupt.

That was potentially a big scrum as it was just inside the Scottish 22, with a French feed.

Twelve minutes remain, 75 points scored so far, with a try tally of 11.

21:44

How’s that for your first try, Cameron van Wyk?

Check this out…

59'

TRY France

France bite back now. Off the back of a midfield scrum, they burst through the first few lines of Scottish defence.

Douglas, as always, is in everything he can possibly be in.

It’s no use though! Cotarmanac’h has magicked another try out of nothing. They were going from side to side for some time, making inches rather than metres.

Then, a spark of imagination saw them fling it to Cowie, who raced through and fling a pass out the back to his fly half, who dotted down by the corner flag.

He converts his own try and we’re back to a 15-point ball game. (France 45 – 30 Scotland)

55'

Frantic once again

The second half has started just as the first half ended – absolute bedlam.

54'

TRY SCOTLAND!!

The lineout from sub Roberts is good, and they drive and drive.

Then, all of a sudden they look to the sky, Urwin cross-kicks to sub van Wyk.

He balances on a tightrope as he brings it under control, and manages to score his first try in a Scotland Under-20 shirt!!!

An unbelievable try from the substitute and one he will remember forever. Urwin missed the conversion, but Scotland are back within eight now. (France 38 – 30 Scotland)

53'

Scotland opportunities building

Scotland win the scrum penalty, about 10 metres inside the French half. Big cheers and plaudits for the front row there.

A big push comes in as the lineout is won, and they rumble towards the try line.

It’s pulled back for another penalty, and again they look to the corner.

In other news, Wales are leading 23 – 13 against England as the clock ticks over the 80 minute mark.

50'

Scotland holding their own

Good defence from Scotland as the French opt to run back a raking Brown clearance kick.

They force the French error in offloading, and will have a scrum just outside of their 22, due to the knock on.

50'

Scottish subs roll on

First changes for Scotland, now:

Joe Roberts coming on for Seb Stephen
Jake Shearer on for Oli McKenna
Cameron van Wyk on for Nairn Moncrieff

45'

TRY France

From the back of a French scrum, a brilliant crosskick from Cotarmanac’h turns Nairn Moncrieff inside out in the Scottish 22, and the fullback Echegaray picks up brilliantly to run in France’s sixth try of the night.

Cotarmanac’h runs out of time with his conversion, so it won’t count. (France 38 – 25 Scotland)

45'

Period of pressure from Scotland

Scotland with a period of possession now after an initially cleared kick went for a French lineout, which the Scots won.

If they can settle here, and build the pressure on the scoreboard, anything could happen here.

As it stands, France will win the Championship, and not the English…

43'

It’s good!

Urwin lines up from right in front, and nails it. (France 33 – 25 Scotland)

42'

Scotland go for three

After an opening skirmish, Scotland win a penalty right on the 50m line for the French not rolling away.

The kick and subsequent lineout are good, and the Scots are piercing the French line into the 22. Play is brought back for another penalty, right in front of the posts.

They’ve opted to chip away at the lead, and will go for the three.

41'

Back underway in Paris

Urwin gets us back into play here.

What can Scotland do here?

21:08

Illustrating the first half

HT

That’s half time

Well, what a first half of rugby that was.

Within the first 60 seconds, the French had scored under the posts. But the theme of the half turned out to be Scotland’s resilience and bouncebackability (yes, that’s a word).

We ended with eight tries total, a Scottish penalty, and a French yellow card in the opening 40 minutes.

The Scottish coaching staff should be happy with their side’s three brilliant tries. Urwin’s looping cut-out pass for the second try was Finn Russell-esque. A splash of Scottish magic.

What does the second half have in store for us?

39'

Final throes of the half

We’re into the final minute of the half now.

No less than 55 points scored in that time – it’s been hectic for me, let alone the players out there on the field.

The half time break will bring great reprieve for both sides – they look shattered.

Douglas wins a defensive penalty in the Scottish 22, and Urwin speaks to referee Weiner before hoofing the ball into the stands to bring the final whistle of the half.

37'

TRY Scotland

The Scots win a penalty of their own in midfield now.

They pump it to the corner and get close off the rolling maul.

A number of phases now as the forwards charge towards the line… and they’re over!

The third try of the match goes to Ollie Blyth-Lafferty. The French almost nicked it in the phase prior, but the big man gets the legs pumping and dives over the line on the right hand side.

Urwin lines up his third conversion, and sneaks it over. (France 33 – 22 Scotland)

35'

TRY France

The offloads are killing Scotland.

Once again, Cowie breaches the Scottish defence and pops the ball off.

It lands in the hands of full back Echegaray, who throws a lovely dummy, shows a turn of pace, and he’s off to the races.

He bursts through the 22 and won’t be caught as he slides in for France’s fifth.

Cotarmanac’h adds the extras. (France 33 – 15 Scotland)

33'

Scary times for Scotland

Another defensive penalty against Scotland in the midfield sees France reach the 22 with their penalty kick,

The resulting lineout sees the home side bust through via Cowie. A slip pass off the back sees the inside centre cross over the whitewash, but it’s held up.

Goal line drop-out for Scotland.

29'

Try count…?

For those counting at home, that’s six tries in the opening 28 minutes here in France.

Two for Scotland, four for the home side France.

27'

TRY Scotland

From kickoff, Scotland win a penalty and it’s their turn to kick to the corner.

The cavalry arrive as the rolling maul begins. They’ve pushed all the way up the the 5m line here, and here come the big boys to go in search of a second try.

They’re right on the line, going inch by inch now.

Out the back it comes, but they lose about 10 metres through indecisiveness.

They try again, and Urwin flings a superb cut out pass all the way to the left wing, inches from being cut out, but it lands safely in the hands of Ferg Watson, who crosses over for Scotland’s second try!

Urwin lines up the conversion, but he pushes it wide. (France 26 – 15 Scotland)

We will restart with a penalty for Scotland too, as there was some afters off the ball from one of the French props.

23'

TRY France

A penalty in the midfield for hands in the ruck gives France another chance to put the ball towards the corner.

The ball comes down and the French forwards scythe through the visiting defence.

Oliver Cowie, the centre, is applauded for dotting down for a fourth France try, and an easy Cotarmanac’h conversion. (France 26 – 10 Scotland)

20'

TRY France

Chalus-Cercy has returned to the field, so no upgrade from the original yellow card awarded.

From the kickoff, Scotland win the ball but find themselves isolated as Oliver Duncan has no support. The penalty is given for holding on and the Scots are on the back foot again.

The French kick to the corner and the rolling maul ensues.

Akrab comes off the back, threatening a first half hat trick, but instead pops it to Tilloles, who crashes over under tackle from two Scots.

Initially it looks held up, but after consultation with his assistant, referee Weiner gives the try.

Cotarmanac’h has a tight angle from the sideline and just pulls it wide. (France 19 – 10 Scotland)

17'

PENALTY taken, Scotland

And they win a penalty!

Scotland are rewarded, it was a pretty clear offside from a Yule carry.

Urwin lines up the penalty, and nails it!

16'

Scotland chances through a 50-22

A French lineout inside the Scottish half is overthrown and popped down to Noah Cowan.

Urwin finds himself in acres of space, he gets his head up and thrashes the ball down field for a brilliant 50-22.

Now Scotland have chances of their own inside the French 22.

13'

TRY France

The French win a scrum penalty and kick to the corner.

The lineout is good, and the ball is tucked under the arm.

Centre Cowie breaks from the back of the pack and is brought down. Now they’re right out in front, with options either side.

Relentless, the home side score a second try – through Akrab. The speed of the ball was just too fast for the Scots there.

Cotarmanac’h pops over the conversion, and the French retain their seven-point lead. (France 14 – 7 Scotland)

10'

Scrum Scotland

Finally, a chance to catch our breath here.

An injury to a French wing has brought play to a halt on the edge of Scotland’s 22.

It’ll be a Scottish feed to the scrum after the winger tried to fling the ball back into play as he was dragged out by Ferg Watson.

7'

YELLOW CARD France

France’s number 8, Antoine Chalus-Cercy has been sin-binned for a high shot on Yule.

Yule was dropping his height going into the tackle, which has saved the big number 8. It was only a little drop though.

8'

Frantic pace to start the match

A frenetic pace opening this match!

Scotland looked out of it in the first few minutes, but what a response.

6'

Conversion and TMO check

Urwin converts from wide out!

We have a TMO check for a potential high tackle from a Frenchman on Yule.

6'

Scotland TRY – sensational Jack Brown!

Well, from the lineout comes a clever set piece move, through the hands it goes.

Matthew Urwin finds a gap, through his hands to Fergus Watson and Kerr Yule.

Yule breaks again to the edge of the 22 and pops it to fullback Jack Brown who has the easiest of time cantering in for Scotland’s returning try!

4'

Scotland battling to get back

Scotland are on the ropes immediately here. The French are fast and clinical in the opening stages.

After a few minutes trying to get back to their feet, it’s captain Freddy Douglas who wins a jackal penalty inside the Scottish 22 and gives his side a chance to clear.

1'

We’re underway! and a French TRY!

French fly half Jean Cotarmanac’h send the ball high, and it’s loose but knocked on by the French as they go to regather.

Reuben Logan is first to pick up the ball for the Scots and go into contact. It’s cleared out to halfway, but it’s thrown in quickly.

Fullback Echegaray collected the quick through and beautifully weaved through a sleepy Scottish defence up to the 22, where he popped it to left winger Mousques, who beat another and landed a pass to scrum half Tilloles.

He’s brought down two metres out, only for the hooker Akrab to pick up immediately and cross over for France’s first!!

Cotarmanac’h converts from under the posts – the home side are seven points up inside a minute! (France 7 – 0 Scotland)