This year’s Six Nations final match between France and Scotland drew an average audience of 7.6 million viewers in France.

French public-service broadcaster France Télévisions estimated a peak audience of 8.7 million viewers during the game, as well as a 29.2% market share for their France 2 channel.

The viewership numbers reflect the country’s strong support of their national rugby union team, who are enjoying a positive run of performances.

Whilst the game resulted in a 23-27 loss for Les Bleus, it was a victory for French sports broadcasting.

It was the most-watched match on France 2 since France’s loss to England earlier in March, which attracted an average audience of 6.4 million viewers, over a million less than the final game.

Throughout the Six Nations tournament, France Télévisions attracted an average of 5.7 million viewers and a 31.7% share for the team’s four previous matches.

These viewership figures come as Six Nation’s Rugby recently decide to sell a 14.3% stake of the competition to private equity house CVC.

Broadcasts in England also rated strongly, with the Scotland and England match on ITV was watched by an average of 6.4 million viewers, equal to a 36% audience share.