Scotland v France
England’s greatest rivals in Europe look far from the finished product. France struggled to get the better of a reborn Scottish side. They remain unbeaten in Scotland since 2010, but rarely have they had to work so hard for victory.
At half time Scotland were ahead 5-3. France managed their second try after the 80 minutes were up. This was not in anybody’s script, certainly not the French co-coaches’. They had questions to answer after WXV; the final score in Edinburgh fails to show how improvements have been made.
So the Scots lost their first game in eight, but proved once more that they are a side on the front foot. Now we have to wait a fortnight to see how they combat the threat coming from the world champions.
Lina Queyroi put the visitors ahead with a penalty on 13 minutes (0-3) after a devastating midfield break by Romane Ménager. But the Scots stuck to their task. The French persisted with their breathtaking offloading game, meaning the tackles had to keep raining in; and for the rest of the half they did. They got their reward as Elis Martin was in possession on the end of a big push to the line. The crowd erupted with delight.
Half-time: 5-3
The effort they put into keeping Pauline Bourdon Sansus and her playmates in check should have led to a reduced effort later on. But no.
We were some way into the second half when the French back-line found its touch. Orchestrated by Gabrielle Vernier, the move sent the ball to Kelly Arbey, now on the right wing. She stretched over; French rugby at its best. (5-8)
Once again, les Bleues failed to cash in on their superiority. A massive drive to the line was halted with a penalty to the Scots, but with ten minutes left on the clock the pressure told. Quick ruck ball was moved left, and Emeline Gros had an easy run in. (5-15)
The French team is still in the process of integrating fully. Everyone knows they have bags of talent, but moves aren’t finding completion the way they should. Two forwards stood out, Assia Khalfaoui, the young tight-head, and the elder Ménager, the highly experienced No 8. PBS was a bag of tricks as usual, but somehow the jigsaw isn’t complete. They got only halfway to a bonus point.
They still take great pride in the off-load, which they call ‘passe après contact’. It is highly skilful and can cause the opposition a heap of problems. Their analysts offer 14 examples of it, but we need only look at the final score to see the weaknesses of that approach. Will it win them a much coveted World Cup next year? Not on this performance.
It will be fascinating to see whether the coaching staff can sort out the remaining weaknesses before the campaign restarts in a fortnight.
For the Scots defeat means the end of a lovely dream, but they are developing strengths that have been lacking in the national side for far too long. The absence of leading players used to be bad news. Here they were without Jade Konkel and Sarah Bonar, but still put on a show to delight the crowd.
As often happens to losing sides, small mistakes led to large setbacks. Gros’ final score removed the chance of a losing bonus point.
Lest we forget: last year’s score was 55-0 to les Bleues.
Result: Scotland 5 France 15
Player of the Match: Romane Menager
Attendance: 5,601
Venue: The Hive, Edinburgh
Teams
Scotland
15 Meryl Smith 14 Rhona Lloyd 13 Emma Orr 12 Lisa Thomson 11 Coreen Grant 10 Helen Nelson 9 Caity Mattinson 1 Leah Bartlett 2 Elis Martin 3 Christine Belisle 4 Emma Wassell 5 Louise McMillan 6 Rachel Malcolm (captain) 7 Alex Stewart 8 Evie Gallagher
16 Molly Wright 17 Lisa Cockburn 18 Elliann Clarke 19 *Fiona McIntosh 20 Eva Donaldson 21 Mairi McDonald 22 *Nicole Flynn 23 Chloe Rollie
* uncapped
France
15 Emilie Boulard 14 Kelly Arbey 13 Nassira Konde 12 Gabrielle Vernier 11 Marine Ménager 10 Lina Queyroi 9 Pauline Bourdon Sansus 1 Annaëlle Deshayes 2 Agathe Sochat 3 Assia Khalfaoui 4 Manae Feleu (captain) 5 Madoussou Fall 6 Axelle Berthoumieu 7 Gaëlle Hermet 8 Romane Ménager
16 Manon Bigot 17 Ambre Mwayembe 18 Clara Joyeux 19 Charlotte Escudero 20 Emeline Gros 21 Alex Chambon 22 Lina Tuy 23 Morgane Bourgeois
Referee: Sara Cox (RFU)
Afterthought
Louise McMillan celebrated her 50th cap; Gaëlle Hermet her 60th. Congratulations to both of them.
