Maybe it was the thought of another Monday morning showdown with Shaun Edwards, or perhaps the change of colour of their shirts from blue to white, whatever it was the France finally managed to grind out a win at Murrayfield.

Perhaps the Ireland game was their “hair of the dog” to cure a Rugby World Cup hangover that refused to go away, one thing is for sure they will land back at Charles de Gaulle much much happier than when they left.

The Edinburgh dreich was a far cry from Marseille and it was a difficult first half for France with Scotland scrum half Ben White scoring an early touchdown, but a Gaël Fickou try on the half hour kept them in the hunt as Scotland led 13-10 at the break.

A penalty from Finn Russell took Scotland 16-10 ahead and as errors increased with the conditions worsening it took a moment of magic from the lightning Bordeaux speedster Louis Bielle-Biarrey who touched down after a kick and chase with 69 minutes on the clock.

Thomas Ramos converted and added a 76th minute penalty to give France a 20-16 lead.

Scotland threw the kitchen sink at France and may well have scored try right at the death. Replays suggested the ball may have been grounded in a heap of bodies, but referee Nic Berry had called no-try on the field and the television footage could not definitively prove otherwise.

For France this was not vintage fare but the win may just clear their heads a little before they face Italy in two weeks time.

A major concern will be the injury to captain Grégory Alldritt who was carried off in the 49th minute.

A celebratory red or two may be the in order tonight but not too many as France do not want another hangover to contend with.