Outclassed Scots find the positives
HEADING into his first official match in charge, new Scotland head coach Bryan Easson was adamant that this would be a ‘fair fight’ with England in the opening match of the Women’s Six Nations.
Yet, in the end, the reality was rather different. England ran in eight tries and a half century of points in a comprehensive victory at Castle Park in Doncaster.
The reigning champions opened their campaign in fine style, while the Scots were left to pick the bones out of another crushing defeat against their rivals.
England triumphed 53-0 in this fixture last year. It was a similar story in 2019, when they battered Scotland 80-0.
On this occasion, Scotland could at least take a degree of satisfaction in scoring some points and avoiding the ignominy of being nilled again.
But, with a mixture of pro, semipro and amateur players, they remain a long way off being able to compete with the full-time professionals of England.
This was Scotland’s first outing since a very creditable draw with France at Scotstoun last October.
It always looked like it would be a tall order — and so it proved, as Easson’s side were outclassed by an English team who are huge favourites to defend their title.
With Italy to come in a couple of weeks’ time, the main concern for Scotland will be a knee injury to skipper Rachel Malcolm, which forced her off at half-time.
Indeed, Malcolm actually suffered the injury inside the opening 60 seconds but soldiered on until the break.
‘In the changing room, we were very frustrated with the first half,’ said Scottish fly-half Helen Nelson.
‘We felt like we hadn’t really fired a shot and didn’t have our hands on the ball enough. We probably turned the ball over too easily and England capitalised on that.
‘The second half was a lot better. There are definitely positives to take from that.’
In what were perfect conditions for rugby, both teams showed an intent to throw the ball around and play expansively.
The game was broadcast live on BBC iPlayer, which, although a step forward for the women’s game, was still a missed opportunity to promote the sport.
On the back of the feelgood factor after some thrilling games in the men’s Championship this year, this was a prime-time slot on Saturday afternoon to broadcast the match.
Instead, BBC One opted to show
Escape to the Country when this match was kicking off at 3pm. It illustrated the hurdles still facing the women’s game as it seeks to expand and reach new audiences.
The opening exchanges brought wave after wave of England pressure, before they finally scored the opening try on 10 minutes.
On her 75th cap, it was veteran openside Marlie Packer who applied the finishing touch by reaching out and touching down one-handed after the forwards had made the hard yards.
England captain and centre Emily Scarratt, who was outstanding throughout, was trusted with kicking duties and she slotted the conversion.
The opening try saw a lovely exchange of passes between twin sisters Bryony and Poppy Cleall, and the pair would feature prominently for England.
Home scrum-half Leanne Riley got her team’s second try on 18 minutes after some sharp work sniping around the fringes, although Scarratt’s conversion hit the woodwork.
Scotland responded by notching their first points courtesy of a penalty from fly-half Nelson on 24 minutes, but they were doing themselves no favours.
The Scots were guilty of overplaying inside their own half. Their exits were poor and continually invited pressure from England.
England hooker Lark Davies got their third try just before the halfhour mark, with Scarratt once again adding the extras.
Prop Bryony Cleall got the bonus point on 36 minutes. Then, barely 60 seconds later, Jess Breach produced an electric finish in the corner as the floodgates began to open.
Five tries in the first half saw England go in at the break with a commanding lead — and Scotland’s task was made no easier as skipper Malcolm went off injured.
Malcolm’s absence was a huge blow to a Scottish back row already missing the talents of Jade Konkel, who is taking time away from the game to train as a firefighter.
The Scots also had influential centre Lisa Thomson sent to the sin bin during the closing stages of the first half.
England got their sixth try on 44 minutes courtesy of fly-half Helena Rowland, with Scarratt continuing her impressive kicking display.
But England No8 Poppy Cleall was then sent to the sin bin — and Scotland at least tried to make a game of it despite being so far behind on the scoreboard.
Centre Hannah Smith got the Scots’ only try on 55 minutes with a smart finish in the corner, with Nelson adding the extras.
England’s discipline was becoming sloppy, and hooker Davies was then sin-binned for a high tackle to reduce her team to 13 players.
Yet, despite their numerical advantage, Scotland could make no further inroads on the scoreboard.
Indeed, the Scots’ replacement hooker, Molly Wright, was shown a red card on 64 minutes for a ludicrously high challenge on England prop Vickii Cornborough.
Poppy Cleall, who was named player of the match, then rumbled over for try No7 as England stretched even further clear of their bitter rivals.
The eighth came via a penalty try in the closing few moments, with Scotland lock Louise McMillan being sent to the sin bin for good measure.
In the end, Scotland at least made a game of it. Having been 40-3 down in the opening few minutes of the second half, it could have turned messy.
Any talk of progress is, of course, relative to what has gone before. Small steps, but there remains much work to do.