Scotland heartbreak after has the final word in late drama

HAS there ever been a Six Nations encounter where the final outcome hinged so dramatically and for so long on the decision of a television match official?

- BRYN PALMER

Irishman Brian MacNeice wasn’t the most popular man in Edinburgh last night after his deliberations for fully four minutes prompted referee Nic Berry to disallow what would have been a winning try for Scotland replacement Sam Skinner in the final play of the match.

Up in the Scots’ coaching box and around the ground, supporters started to celebrate as replays appeared to show the Edinburgh lock had grounded the ball after a last-ditch onslaught on the French line.

But Berry, who had a decent view at ground level, decided he couldn’t give a try based on what he could see and referred it upstairs.

During the course of the conversation that followed, the Australian whistler appeared to change his mind at one point before being directed to a different angle by MacNeice and ultimately deciding he didn’t have “conclusive evidence” to overturn his original ‘no-try’ verdict.

Cue frustration and dejection from the hosts and elation from the French, who ended a harrowing week with a precious Six Nations victory that had looked beyond them for most of this contest.

After their crushing opening defeat by Ireland in Marseille, there was plenty more vulnerability on show here but Fabien Galthie’s side showed character and composure to fight back in the final quarter.

With a home match against Italy next, their campaign is back on the rails while Scotland’s hopes of launching a title challenge suffered a major setback.

When Finn Russell’s third penalty put them 16- 10 ahead just before the hour, they appeared to be heading for victory but ultimately they could not close out the contest and paid a heavy price.