Lopez kicks France to 22-16 win over Scotland

France 22-16 Scotland, Stade de France
Scorecard

Camille Lopez kicked two penalties in the final 10 minutes to ensure France defeated Scotland by 22-16 in their Six Nations encounter at Stade de France on Sunday.

The result also means that Scotland are yet to win a game in Paris since 1999.

Lopez started the proceedings for France with an early sixth minute penalty but it was cancelled when fullback Stuart Hogg went past the line in the 16th minute but Scotland skipper Greig Laidlaw missed out on the conversion.

Lopez soon kicked his second penalty and brought France back into the lead but Scotland were dealt a major blow when Laidlaw had to leave the field in the 24th minute with Ali Price replacing him.

Gael Fickou gave clear advantage to France when he was past Hogg and touched down in the 30th minute and Lopez's conversion stretched the gap to eight points. However, Tommy Seymour won the restart and Scotland forced a penalty which fly-half Finn Russell made it count.

Russell kicked his second penalty just before the half-time and Scotland were trailing by just two points. Just before the first half ended, Scotland lost their stand-in skipper John Barclay due to a head injury.

Scotland had a determined start to the second half when replacement Tim Swinson with assistance from Russell and Seymour rumbled past the post to take Scotland to a three-point lead which would have become five had the fly-half not missed the conversion.

Lopez responded back with his third penalty kick in the 46th minute and the scores were levelled 16-16 until the final 10 minutes.

Just when the game was heading for a tight finish, Lopez steered France through with two more penalties in the 71st and 76th minutes and secure a close six-point win for Guy Noves' team.

Our 6 Nations cover is sponsored by Allett Mowers