Controversy dominated post-match discussion of Scotland's Six Nations defeat against France on Saturday

2024-02-11 5

Controversy dominated post-match discussion of Scotland's Six Nations defeat against France on Saturday as the Murrayfield hosts were denied a try during the game's final play.

In a tense second game of the annual tournament, Scotland ended up being beaten 16-20 by France but looked to have snatched victory at the death as they spilled over the line.

A late break led by Scots co-captain Finn Russell led to several spells of forward play that ended with Sam Skinner navigating through a pack of French bodies.

Opposing players got underneath the ball to try and stop it being put down onto the grass with referee Nic Berry initially giving a 'held up' call that TMO eventually refused to overrule.

Scotland looked destined for a no-fuss defeat as France won a scrum in the match's dying embers and defended the ball.

'France came out the winning side tonight, but for me, that was a try at the end. That's not for me to decide, that's up to the referee. That's why he has the job.

'We've got to take this defeat on the chin and get better for England. We can't let the referee decide what happens in a game, that's up to us to play better and make these matches a victory.

'The way we got back into the game, and the way I believe we scored shows the character we've got.'

Scotland is currently second in the Six Nations standings with five points from two matches as England, Ireland, Wales, and Italy still to play.