France had to work incredibly hard to overcome a gallant Scotland side who were in contention until two minutes from time, when Wassim Mouelhi’s try and Mateo Jimenez-Lopez’s fifth conversion saw their side home 30-18.

“It was as competitive as we expected,” said France U19s head coach Remi Casty. “It was red hot and there was a lot of indiscipline and that is something we are going to have to change for the final.”

In a feisty clash, five players were sinbinned in all, three for the French who took a first minute lead through Giovanni Descalzi Ganthier. They were 16-6 in front at the break thanks to Yllan Mongay picking up a loose ball and Baptiste Pourchi pouching a clever kick to the corner, hooker Bailey Schneider replying for the young Bravehearts.

France eased out to a 16-point advantage at the start of the second half but quickfire touchdowns to Jacob Grierson and Oscar Ellicott-McCulloch set up the dramatic finish.

Scotland U19s head coach, Leigh Beattie, noted: “We knew it would be a tough ask, but we had a gameplan and we stuck to it very, very well. The desire and heart the lads showed was amazing and they deserve all the plaudits.”