French power sees off Scotland

Coralie Bertrand tries to find a waty through for France (Photo: Inpho)

After their shock defeat against Wales, France took the opportunity of the game against Scotland to give several players in the squad the responsibility of starting the game, and also appeared to experiment with a less forward-dependent strategy, with the ball being moved to the backline much more so than in the opening games.

However, it was a not a strategy that proved effective. For much of the first half the game continued the pattern of the match in Neath, with France dominating both territory and possession. However, determined and enthusiastic though the Scots defence was, it was as much French handling errors and a rash of penalties that prevented the visitors turning possession in to points. With Scotland growing in confidence and looking increasingly dangerous on the break - Lisa Thomson very nearly finding a way through near the end of the first half - the home support began to dare to think about a shock result.

However, from almost the last play of the first half, came the breakthrough. Already penalised once, Scotland were unable to hold back a second French drive from a 5m scrum and referee Helen O’Reilly awarded a penalty try.

Twelve minutes into the second half and France doubled their lead – another penalty try as Scotland failed to cope – legally – with a French maul. At 14-0 France now looked safe before the work of the pack after 63 minutes saw Safi N’Diaye score the France’s third try, before Julie Duval ended a backs moved that resulted in points from what was to prove to the be the final move of the game.

While France struggled to spark, it was another positive step-forward for Scotland, who continued to be bright and positive throughout. Lana Skeldon and Jade Konkel particularly stood out and, given the progress they are making (and if they can get some more games outside the Six Nations), they could be far more competitive in future tournaments.

France: 1. Lise Arricastre (Lons); 2. Gaëlle Mignot (Montpellier); 3. Patricia Carricaburu (Lons); 4. Audrey Forlani (Blagnac-Saint Orens); 5. Romane Menager (Lille); 6. Pauline Rayssac (Montpellier); 7. Julie Annery (Bobigny); 8. Safi N’diaye (Montpellier); 9. Laure Sansus (Stade Toulousain); 10. Camille Imart (Stade Toulousain); 11. Laura Delas (Tarbes); 12. Elodie Poublan (Montpellier); 13. Lucille Godiveau (Bobigny); 14. Coralie Bertrand (Stade Toulousain); 15. Julie Billes (Montpellier)

Replacements: 16. Manon Bigot (Blagnac-Saint Orens); 17. Dhia Traore (Stade Toulousain); 18. Céline Ferer (Bayonne); 19. Laetitia Grand (Lons); 20. Yanna Rivoalen (Lille); 21. Camille Boudaud (Stade Rennais); 22. Camille Cabalou (Bayonne); 23. Julie Duval (Ovalie Caennaise)"

Scotland: 15. Chloe Rollie* (Murrayfield Wanderers), 14. Megan Gaffney (Hillhead/Jordanhill), 13. Lisa Thomson* (Melrose RFC / Edinburgh University), 12. Lisa Martin* (Murrayfield Wanderers) CAPTAIN, 11. Rhona Lloyd (Murrayfield Wanderers / Edinburgh University), 10. Sarah Law* (Murrayfield Wanderers / Edinburgh University), 9. Jennifer Maxwell (Leeds Beckett University / Lichfield RFC), 1. Heather Lockhart (Hillhead/Jordanhill), 2. Lana Skeldon* (Hillhead/Jordanhill), 3. Lindsey Smith (Hillhead/Jordanhill), 4. Emma Wassell* (Murrayfield Wanderers), 5. Deborah McCormack (Richmond RFC), 6. Jemma Forsyth (Hillhead/Jordanhill), 7. Karen Dunbar (RHC Cougars / Edinburgh University), 8. Jade Konkel* (Hillhead/Jordanhill)

Substitutes, 16. Sarah Quick (Murrayfield Wanderers), 17. Lisa Robertson* (Murrayfield Wanderers), 18. Tracy Balmer (Worcester RFC), 19. Fiona Sim (Saracens RFC), 20. Anna Stodter (Saracens RFC), 21. Helen Nelson (Murrayfield Wanderers / Edinburgh University), 22. Lauren Harris (Melrose RFC), 23. Eilidh Sinclair* (Murrayfield Wanderers)