Twenty-five points ahead with four minutes remaining, Les Bleus - who needed to win by at least 24 to overtake Ireland on points difference in the title race - then conceded a try to Scotland lock Euan Murray.

Ibanez, the inspirational captain and experienced figurehead in the French team, was seeing his side's crown being snatched away from them.

'I fell to my knees, I didn't know what to do,' recounted the Wasps hooker.

'I said 'God, it's over'. I couldn't believe it.

'Then Imanol (Harinordoquy) came over to me and said 'Come on, we still have another chance'.

'That's what I expect from the guys, we help each other through times like this.'

Harinordoquy was right - deep into injury time, after a prolonged assault on the Scottish line, late replacement Elvis Vermeulen burrowed over for what proved to be the title-winning try, France's sixth of the game.

It needed the say-so of the video referee, who took what seemed like an eternity to deliver the news the majority of the Stade de France was praying for.

'We knew how big the decision was. It was important but we just had to be patient,' Ibanez added.

'I was okay. I had a good chat to the Scottish players, and they told me they thought it was a try - and then it was given.'

Picking up RBS 6 Nations titles is becoming commonplace for the French, who have won four of the last six on offer - two being Grand Slam successes (2002 and 2004).

This latest one took some doing though, according to Ibanez.

'We dug deep, to the bottom of our hearts, and went beyond our normal efforts to win it this year, he said.

'We have true champions in our team. It's still very difficult to win this title, but we wanted to wrap things up and go out with a bang at the Stade de France.

'I think we did that. It's very exciting, I'm very happy. What more can I say?'

France's overall record for the 2007 RBS 6 Nations reads four wins and one defeat, the latter coming at England a week ago.