Despite an Adam Sinclair try for the Scots, France edged further in front after the restart through blindside flanker Alban Placines to all but secure their second victory of the tournament - after an opening weekend 13-12 defeat to Ireland.

Full-back Sam Hidalgo-Clyne narrowed the deficit to six points but that opening spell ultimately proved costly as Tom Ecochard cooly knocked over a late penalty to give the visitors an unassailable nine-point lead.

Scrum-half Ecochard converted the first points of the match with a neatly-taken penalty before Chateau piled through the defence from the base of a ruck on 23 minutes to give the French an 8-0 lead.

Scotland fly-half Harry Leonard kicked three points in front of the posts but Danty smashed through his tackler for his side's second try just moments later - the extras added by Ecochard.

Winger Domvo added further salt to the wound when he broke three tackles and raced home from inside the ten-metre line.

But Scotland responded just before the break. The impressive Leonard stepped inside the tackle and slipped a pass to the supporting Adam Sinclair who finished under the posts.

Much like the first half, France came out strong in the second and Placines touched down for their fourth score of the night.

With the game seemingly over, Stirling County's Sinclair was shown a yellow card for taking out Enzo Selponi after a clearing kick but Edinburgh's Leonard slotted another penalty and Scotland were within two converted scores.

On 62 minutes Hidalgo-Clyne then stepped inside two defenders to touch down which narrowed the French lead to 21-27 but Ecochard's kick sealed the game and kept Scotland at the foot of the table.