France delivered a breathtaking 10-try performance to sweep Scotland aside, earning a bonus-point victory that sets up a winner-takes-all showdown with England for the Women's Six Nations title next weekend.
The visitors raced into a 31-14 half-time lead, with Manae Feleu touching down inside the first minute after Scotland spilled the restart. Carla Arbez, Siobhan Soqeta, and a double from Lea Champon all added to the scoreboard, while Rachel Philipps' brace gave the home fans hope.
After the break, France turned up the heat even further. Pauline Barrat crossed early, Soqeta added her second, and further tries from Alexandra Chambon, Lea Murie, and Ambre Mwayembe sealed a dominant victory. Scotland did rally late, with Emily Coubrough and Aicha Sutcliffe going over to secure a four-try bonus point in defeat.
The match started disastrously for Scotland, who were looking to bounce back from heavy losses to England and Italy. They spilled the ball from kick-off, and Feleu made them pay in emphatic fashion. But the home side showed fight, with Rhona Lloyd breaking free to set up Philipps' first Test start try. Helen Nelson's conversion briefly gave Scotland the lead.
That advantage lasted just two minutes, even with France down to 14 players after Feleu's yellow card. Arbez chipped a clever kick over the defence and gathered to go under the posts. From there, French power told: lock Soqeta blasted over from close range, and number eight Champon broke through for the bonus-point try.
With Scotland missing the injured Emma Orr, their defence began to look ragged as France's relentless attacking waves took their toll. Next up, Scotland travel to face Ireland in Dublin on Saturday, while France host champions England in what promises to be a blockbuster tournament decider in Bordeaux on Sunday.
