France keep unbeaten run going

France kept their unbeaten run intact with a 23-0 win over Scotland in the first womens rugby international held at Stirling RFC. France mastered the catch-and-drive line-out grabbing three of their tries from that particular area.

After the game Scotland head coach Karen Findlay voiced her frustration with the level of refereeing at this years tournament.

One of the biggest disappointments for me in this 6 Nations is the refereeing so far. The womens game needs referees of really good ability because the players and coaches are working hard so you want to see a soundly arbitrated game and we are just not getting it.

To the game itself and the home side got off to a strong start with sustained pressure on the French defence. Neat passing from stand-off Lisa Martin and some powerful breaks by Katy Green on the wing, rallied the side and buoyed the crowd, however it was the visitors who took the first points after 19 minutes as their pack rumbled over the line with number 8, Aida Ba, claiming the score for a 5-0 lead.

As France grew into the game they added another penalty just before the break with flyhalf Aurlie Bailon knocking over three points and then another fine drive from an organised French pack saw lock Cyrielle Bouisset add another five points making it 0-13 at half time.

France continued with their form after the break scoring early through hooker Gaelle Mignot and with the conversion bouncing back off the post the French took an 18-0 lead.

The sin binning of Scotland prop Tracy Balmer after 50 minutes, for binding in the scrum, caused a reshuffle of the forwards with flanker Ruth Slaven coming off to be replaced by Heather Lockhart. The Scots held out for nine and a half minutes of being down to fourteen players, until the French pack again crashed over the whitewash en masse for their fourth try, from lock Marine De Nadai.

Balmer's return to the field saw Slaven back, replacing Beth Dickens, Charlotte Veale for Wheeler and Lindsay Smith replacing Sarah Quick. Despite piling on the pressure for the closing 20 minutes, Scotland couldn't turn the territory into tries with the final score 0-23.