Six Nations: France beat Scotland with late Doussain penalty
Jean-Marc Doussain's penalty two minutes from full-time earned France a 19-17 victory over Scotland at Murrayfield.
Last Updated: 08/03/14 8:30pm
Scotland looked set to snatch another one-point victory - just as they had in Rome two weeks ago - before Doussain's simple three-pointer kept French title hopes just about alive.
Maxime Machenaud took advantage of an early collapsed scrum as he slotted over an easy penalty, before doing the same just moments later as the Scots were forced to foul at the breakdown in a bid to halt a rampant French breakaway.
But Les Bleus handed Scotland the opening try after 11 minutes. Stuart Hogg sent an up-and-under beyond the posts but Huget and Brice Dulin collided as they both went to collect the high ball and Hogg darted in to apply the touchdown to the loose ball.
Greig Laidlaw added the extras to put the hosts ahead, but Les Bleus responded through another Machenaud penalty.
Scotland have shaken off the wounds sustained in that 20-0 surrender to England, though, responding to that minor setback in stunning style.
After powering to within 10 yards of the French line, they tugged their opponents one way then the other with a rapid three-man move involving Weir, Matt Scott and finally Seymour, who found a small gap to dart through for their second score.
Laidlaw again did the necessary with the conversion but Hogg failed with an ambitious 45-yard drop-goal attempt five minutes before the break while Machenaud also missed a penalty attempt on the stroke of half-time.
Scotland started the second half determined to build on their lead but were let down by their Rome hero after 47 minutes.
Rush of blood
After his pack had done brilliantly to turn the ball over deep in French territory, Weir suffered a rush of the blood to the head as he tried an ambitious pass to Alex Dunbar, only to see Huget intercept.
It was a cruel blow for the 22-year-old as he was forced to watch the Stade Toulousain wing dart 80 yards upfield to score under the posts, with Machenaud adding the simplest of conversions.
Laidlaw came-up short with a 40-yard penalty attempt on the hour mark but there were at least no signs that France were ready to streak away to an easy win.
Weir made amends for his earlier blunder as he floated over a perfect penalty after taking over kicking duties from Laidlaw to nudge his side back in front.
France were desperate for a score but with Ross Ford on for Scott Lawson at hooker, the Scottish scrum looked rock solid.
And it was from another dominant heave five minutes from time that the French pack collapsed, handing Weir a chance from almost halfway.
However, he could not repeat his match-winning act from the Eternal City and watched in horror as his kick came down before the posts.
Scotland had just a single point lead as the clock ticked down and needed to keep their discipline.
But lock Tim Swinson's failure to release at the breakdown handed France a simple kick in front of the posts and Doussain won it for the visitors, with no time left for a Scottish response.