Scotland came away with an eleven point victory over France in the Six Nations – and in turn handed the tournament title to England.
Tries from Hogg, Taylor and Visser secured Scotland the win, with Laidlaw and Hogg landing four penalties in the 29-18 win.
It means England have ended a run of four successive runners-up finishes by being crowned RBS 6 Nations champions in Eddie Jones’ debut campaign as head coach.
A thrilling 25-21 victory over Wales at Twickenham on Saturday, followed by Scotland’s 29-18 home win against France on Sunday, guaranteed England a first title since 2011 with a round to spare.
England will complete their Six Nations in Paris next Saturday and victory would result in the Grand Slam – an achievement which for the Red Rose was last managed by Martin Johnson’s World Cup winners of 2003.
Scotland head coach Vern Cotter handed centre Alex Dunbar his return after a year of injury frustration for his side’s RBS 6 Nations clash with France.
The Dark Blues boss also recalled number eight Josh Strauss as he looked to match up with the physically massive visitors.
Guy Noves’ team have shown little of the flair French rugby are famed for so far but the France coach did name his most adventurous line-up of the tournament, with Montpellier’s Francois Trinh-Duc starting at fly-half.
France took just five minutes to show they are more than just a team of battering rams. A pair of delicious off-loads from Virimi Vakatawa and Wesley Fofana took Dunbar and Stuart Hogg out of the game as the visitors surged down the right flank, leaving skipper Guilhem Guirado to dive over.
Trinh-Duc missed the conversion but there was a further blow for Scotland as their own chief playmaker Finn Russell was left wobbling on his feet after a head knock and had to be replaced by Peter Horne.
The French pressure did not relent but there was a let off as Trinh-Duc missed another simple kick.
Scotland skipper Greig Laidlaw – winning his 50th cap – was more precise and trimmed the lead back to two with a penalty.
The hosts had finally caught their breadth and after standing up well to the heavyweight French pack at the scrum, Laidlaw nudged them in front with another kick.
France came back at Cotter’s team but Scotland showed bravery and discipline to keep them out.
And with that solid platform, the Dark Blues were able to launch themselves forward. Peter Horne, Richie Gray and Taylor all carried bravely into contact before Laidlaw released Hogg to dance past Fickou for the touchdown.
Laidlaw tugged the conversion wide but the Murrayfield crowd were soon on their feet again as the French were turned over on halfway.
Taylor spotted a gap and surged 40 yards down the touchline to score in the corner. Laidlaw this time did the business with the extras.
But France responded with impressive cool, playing patiently as they pulled a try back through Fickou in the corner deep into first-half stoppage time, with Trinh-Duc converting.
Scotland knew they needed to maintain their intensity levels through the second period if they were to stay in front.
Thankfully their scrum was operating as well as it had done all tournament and their efforts set-up Hogg to thump a huge penalty over from inside his own half.
Those gains were wiped out as Maxime Machenaud added a penalty.
But France were repeatedly frustrated by some resolute Scottish defence and were forced to settle for another Machenaud kick.
The match was set up for a tense final quarter of an hour, and Scotland raised themselves to the challenge superbly.
Gray’s brave carry took the Dark Blues into scoring range. From the breakdown, Laidlaw span the ball to Hogg. The pass was above his head but the full-back cleverly batted it on to Visser for the winger to dot down in the corner.
Laidlaw’s missed conversion meant Scottish nerves continued to jangle.
However, a knock-on from French full-back Scott Spedding took the pressure off, leaving it to Laidlaw to mark his special day with the kick that sealed their long-awaited triumph.
