What came next was other-worldly – the finest Scotland performance in Six Nations history. They tore France away with their pace and intelligence. And, yes, their physicality and fitness, too.

Townsend freshened things up just before half-time when bringing on Zander Fagerson for D’arcy Rae, who had put in a terrific shift.

Just after the break, Scotland screamed over for their bonus point try. Stunning. White’s opportunism at the side of the ruck was what did it, the scrum-half too quick, too sharp, too lethal for the French cover.

With the extras, Scotland were ahead by 10. They were only getting started.

Eight minutes later, Steyn got his second, Scotland out-Franceing France with their desire to play at breakneck speed. They created space out wide and Steyn galloped away from Yoram Moefana to strike from 45m.

Murrayfield wiped its eyes in disbelief. France wiped tears.

Nine minutes later, the astonishing flow of one-way traffic carried on when Scotland passed up an easy three close to the posts and went for touch instead. They nailed it like they nailed everything else.

The ball came out to Blair Kinghorn, who drew French defenders to him before slipping a pass to Graham, who slalomed over. The conversion made it 40-14.

And soon when Lenni Nouchi got France’s second yellow, it was 47-14.

The mind boggled at the systematic annihilation Scotland were delivering. Off a scrum, the brilliant leader that is Tuipulotu drove it up and found Jordan, who scored at the posts. Seven tries and a landslide score. All in 63 minutes.

Dupont ran in for a consolation score that the vast ranks of French supporters could scarcely cheer. Ramos added another for a bonus point and Oscar Jegou landed one more while Josh Bayliss was in the bin. Mere crumbs.

They might still win the title next weekend but their Slam has gone, ripped from them by an extraordinary, powerhouse performance from the title-chasing Scots.

To Dublin on the final day, then, with more momentum than Scotland have ever had in the history of this championship.