Six Nations 2026: ‘Fantastic French made to look ordinary as Scotland come of age’

More than three hours before the match at Murrayfield was due to kick off, all roads leading to the old venue were lined with blue, white and red; The streets were full of French colors and the air was full of French songs.

As you approached the stadium you began to question the figures you were given about the size of the visiting support – they said 15,000. It felt like 20,000 or more.

They lined the road behind the West Stand waiting for the French players to arrive. They climbed steps normally occupied only by Scots and waited at high vantage points for the would-be Grand Slam champions.

French flags, French scarves, French fans in tricolor wigs and rooster hats. They were everywhere. You would have sworn we were in Paris when Les Bleus showed up. They had all come for a party, but instead attended the funeral.

The question for Scotland during this epic 13-try, 90-point halftime, in the sanctity of their own (extremely spacious) dressing room, was how they could finish what they had started.

How were they able to continue playing relentlessly and clinically; Rugby from another dimension, creative, clinical and hugely exciting.

When you go through adversity with this team, you learn to erect protective walls against bouts of over-optimism, but there was something different about all of this.

It felt strange; faith had entered the building. Scotland looked completely and utterly convincing.

Their eminent leader Sione Tuipulotu spoke on Friday about the nature of psychology. He said Scotland should not be afraid if they are behind, and should not be afraid if they are ahead.

What he wanted was “to be us”. In other words, keep playing and believing. His players not only took his words to heart, they lived by them.