Bossed in France but Berghan’s still positive

SIMON BERGHAN was emboldened by Scotland’s reaction to some major challenges in Paris despite being on the losing side in his international debut.

The tighthead prop got his chance in the 59th minute of Scotland’s 22-16 RBS 6 Nations defeat by France after replacing Glasgow Warriors Zander Fagerson.

But there was no happy ending as Scotland were bossed in France. New Zealand-born Berghan said: “We are all pretty gutted with the result. I actually feel the boys dug in at the end and showed we had turned a corner.

“It’s a disappointing result but I have mixed emotions because I am chuffed to have pulled on the shirt.

“I never got the chance last weekend but this week I got the opportunity and, against a team like France, for a tighthead prop to get a debut is as big a challenge as any and I was right up for it.”

Scotland had the consolation of outscoring France by two tries to one as well as claiming a bonus point.

Berghan said: “We have got a lot of confidence in the squad and we talked about that even coming to France, we were coming to win.

“Unfortunately we have not got the result but we will go into Wales with the same mentality at home at Murrayfield in front of a sold-out crowd again.

“We really want to make a dent in the Six Nations this year. We are confident we are going into each game to win, that’s the feeling in the squad.”