Scotland 10 France 22
France continued to march towards their first grand slam for four years with a 22-10 win over Scotland in the Six Nations at Murrayfield on Saturday.
The unbeaten French were made to work for their victory, particularly in the first half, which ended 10-3 to the visitors after a converted try from New Zealand born centre Tony Marsh and a penalty from flyhalf Gerard Merceron. Fullback Brendan Laney kicked Scotland's penalty.
But two tries -- a second for Marsh and a converted blindside breakaway score from scrumhalf Fabien Galthie -- within two minutes of the restart gave the visitors the comfort of a 22-3 lead.
Scotland rallied with a try from close-in by scrumhalf Bryan Redpath after a powerful burst through the French defence by centre James McLaren, but they never looked like overhauling France.
Skipper Galthie, a member of his country's last grand slam team in 1998, constantly sniped around the fringes to torment the Scots, just as he did in the 20-15 upset win over England in Paris three weeks ago.
Only Ireland stand in the way of the French and their seventh grand slam -- not to mention victory in the championship -- which will be up for grabs at the Stade de France on April 6.