Battling Scots send out big statement of intent as they fight back to secure draw against France in Women’s Six Nations
Scotland took a big stride forward as they fought back from 13-3 down to grab a draw with the world’s four th b est side France at Scotstoun yesterday in the Women’s Six Nations.
The p ositive result, ahead of fur ther upcoming games in this event and World Cup qualifiers, was built on solid defence while No 8 Jade Konkel was named player of the match.
France had made all of their substitutions by the 58th minute and it came back to haunt them when they suffered an injury and had to play with 14 players for the rest of the match.
Scotland sensed an opportunity and closed the gap to seven points in the 64th minute through a penalty by standoff Helen Nelson before she missed another a couple of minutes later.
However, in the 73 rd minute Scotland were level, a brilliant try out wide by winger R achel Shankland on debut converted expertly by N elson to make it 13-13. Given the
Scots had not played a game in 37 weeks after a 53- 0 loss versus England on Februar y 10 this was a big statement of intent by interim head coach
Bryan E as son’ s side .“I am extremely proud of them, we have worked a lot over the last couple of weeks on relentlessness and I think the hard work paid off,” Easson said.
“At 8-3 down at half-time we weren’t panicking, we showed more patience in the second half and got our rewards. We now take a lot of positives into the Wales game this Sunday.”
France took the lead in the sixth minute when secondrow Safi N’diaye went over for an unconverted try.
The Scots got into their rhythm soon after though and earned a penalty which
Nelson kicked to make it 5-3.
Jessy Tremouliere kicked a penalty for France to make it 8-3 and, despite some good stuff from the Scots, it stayed that way until the break.
Scotland wanted a good start to the second period, but it was France who extended their lead in the 45th minute, hook er Agathe So chat with the unconverted score.
Scotland then made some changes and, with France short handed in the last 22 minutes they played some of their b est rugby seen in the last couple of years to grab the draw.