Battling hosts thwarted as French stage late fightback
Easson’s team go toe-to-toe with world No.3 side in front of record crowd
SCOTLAND battled all the way, but eventually lost out to France in the Guinness Women’s Six Nations at Hive Stadium in Edinburgh. France took the lead in the 13th minute of the second-round clash when stand-off Lina Queyroi kicked a penalty.
Four minutes later, her opposite number, Helen Nelson, who kicked all her goals last week in the win against Wales, had the chance to level the scores, but was off target.
In the 27th minute, France were on the attack, but Scotland’s defence stood firm and they eventually held the visitors up over the try line.
Six minutes later, Bryan Easson’s team had their best attacking moment, with a line-out catch and drive which saw them close to the game’s first try.
They did score three minutes later though, a similar move seeing hooker Elis Martin going over. Nelson could not convert, which meant it was 5-3 at half time.
France came out of the blocks flying and winger Rhona Lloyd had to make a try-saving tackle on fullback Emilie Boulard to keep the Scots ahead.
Replacement hooker Molly Wright was then forced off less than a minute after coming on due to a head injury. After a lengthy stoppage, France scored an unconverted try straight away in the 54th minute via winger Kelly Arbey.
Queyroi’s penalty effort on the hour hit the upright and the game remained in the balance until the final minutes before France replacement Emeline Gros scored a try with the clock in the red, with Queyroi converting, to deny Scotland a losing bonus point.
Here are five things we learned from Hive Stadium.
Scotland can take confidence despite defeat
Scotland will be frustrated with how things ended up as they were in this game right until the end, but they showed that they can go toe-to-toe with the best in the world now.
Last year France thumped the hosts 55-0, but this time Scotland caused the world No.3 side real issues. Professionalism and seven wins can continue to be built on now.
Scotland’s defence is constantly improving
France had a lot of possession in the first half and had chances to score tries, but time after time the Scots knocked them back.
In midweek, assistant coach Tyrone Holmes had talked about the players putting their bodies on the line and they were doing just that.
The second half followed the same pattern and this type of defence gives Scotland a really good base going forward.
When Scotland get line-out drive right, it is a real weapon
The line-out struggled in the first half at times, but when hooker Martin and her jumpers nailed it in the 33rd and 36th minutes – the latter for a try – the French could not cope with it. This weapon is one that the Scotland pack can continue to build on and can perhaps use more often.
World-class Evie Gallagher
The 23-year-old No.8 missed out on the Rugby World Cup in late 2022 due to injury which was tough for her to take, but since then she has come back stronger than ever.
She has been virtually everpresent in the last year-and-a-bit and she must have her eye on the British & Irish Lions tour in 2027 as she carries hard, has great footwork and tackles very well.
Support for this team will only grow
The record home crowd for a Six Nations match before this was 4862 set last year versus Ireland at the DAM Health Stadium, now known as the Hive.
That was broken here with 5601 in attendance and you would like to think that even more will be at the same location in a fortnight, when Scotland will take on England.
It is also great to see so many families following the team.
In midweek, assistant coach Tyrone Holmes had talked about the players putting their bodies on the line and they were doing just that