France have ended Scotland's hopes of a Six Nations Grand Slam with a 32-21 victory in a high-octane, nailbiting clash, with both sides reduced to 14 men early at Stade de France.
Gael Fickou gave the defending champions a bonus point with a last-minute try to add to those of Romain Ntamack, Ethan Dumortier and Thomas Ramos, who kicked the rest of the points.
Scotland, who defended ferociously and came close to overturning a 19-0 deficit, scored with two tries from Huw Jones and the boot of Finn Russell, who also added a try, as the visitors recovered from a woeful start.
They had lock Grant Gilchrist sent off after seven minutes, six minutes before France prop Mohamed Haouas was also shown a red card.
Fabien Galthie's side were looking to bounce back from their defeat against Ireland - their first in their last 15 tests - and while they managed to get back to their winning ways, they did not appear as invincible as in 2022.
After wins against England and Wales, Scotland will now look to stay in contention for the title, when they take on unbeaten Ireland, while France will travel to England.
'Les Bleus' went through the phases early on and Ntamack touched down wide, after the forwards had worn down the Scottish defence.
Gilchrist then made direct shoulder contact with Anthony Jelonch's face and was sent off, after referee Nika Amashukeli saw a "high degree of danger" in the move.
Dumortier went over shortly afterwards on from the left wing to put France 12-0 up, before Haouas was shown a red card in the 13th minute for a head-first charge at Ben White's head.
Scotland were spurred into action, but Les Bleus were more clinical, as Ramos intercepted a long pass from Russell to run 50 metres for the hosts' third try.
Russell was more inspired to put the visitors on the scoreboard with a superb pass for centre Jones, who touched down between the posts.
While Scotland remained a constant danger with powerful driving mauls, Ramos added a penalty to give France a 15-point halftime lead.
Scotland reduced the arrears early on in the second half, as Jones powered through for his second try, with France's strategy to limit the damage.
Some brilliant moves brought Dumortier on the cusp of a fifth try for France, but the winger made a poor choice in front of the line.
After a series of five-metre scrums, Russell then dived over to put Scotland within touching distance, before France increased the pressure in the final minutes, although they failed to make their domination count.
France had the last laugh with a risk-taking choice, as they went for a bonus try, which Fickou got after being set up by Antoine Dupont in a final move that also denied Scotland a defensive bonus point.
Reuters
