Scotland restrict France to Meagre Pickings
France, responding to memories of their last encounter in Scotland (a shock 13-13 draw) were in no mood for small mercies.
But their modest points total, 28, underlines the contrast in player-depth between them and England. This was far from being an A-list French line-up; at least they made sure of the all-important bonus point.
Scotland will be satisfied by keeping the visitors’ total within modest bounds, but a disappointing first half from them contrasted with their positive showing in Edinburgh. The second 40 told a different story.
We had an amusing start, Jessy Trémoulière kicking off long before the PA countdown was completed.
Two lengthy bouts of kick-tennis were brought to an abrupt halt as the ball fell into the hands of Laure Sansus. This is the player of vision par excellence. She too kicked the ball, but so that it fell back into her own hands behind the Scottish defence, and she was over. Pure magic.
Trémoulière, once the World Player of the Decade no less, now being used as France’s back-up No 10, ran the show with her boot. A series of 50-22 kicks showed her mastery of control and vision. But the French machine wasn’t working on all cylinders; line-outs were disrupted and penalties mounted up against them.
A first rolling maul by the Scots was halted, but at the cost of a penalty kicked by Helen Nelson.
Central Scottish problems were the set-pieces, the scrum coming under huge pressure. Jade Konkel scrambled as best she could, but Jenny Maxwell’s laboured service played almost literally into French hands.
Trémoulière exploited a powerful drive to go over on the left, When Maxwell attempted her first box-kick of the day close to her line, it was charged down by Gaëlle Hermet to fall almost inevitably into Sansus’ hands. She was over.
The bonus point was assured before the break as imaginative handling and Chloé Jacquet’s dancing feet created space for Hermet to bring the half-time score to 3-28.
The second half will be the cause of considerable disquiet in the French camp. Their points total was 0, hardly the stuff of future champions. Yes, this was some way short of a full-strength French team, Annick Hayraud searching among other things for a back-up centre-partnership. But this version of ‘nul points’ tells her the hunt goes on.
Trémoulière at once had a kick charged down; Scotland would have scored if Leah Bartlett had hung on to the ball on the line. They produced more nice moves, but, as with Italy later, they were prone to unforced errors that undid the good work.
When Caity Mattinson came on in the 54th minute, she upped the pace of the game, feeding her backs diligently and seeking gaps around the edges.
As the last quarter approached the crowd noticed how their favourites were beginning to dominate the scene.
A splendid move involving many hands, reminiscent of their success against England, saw Chloe Rollie go over for their only try.
And it turned out to be the only score of the half, a bizarre occurrence in the 6 Nations. Words spoken at the French review will be harsh.
Result: Scotland 8 France 28
Player of the Match: Jessy Trémoulière (18 points)
Teams
Scotland
15. Chloe Rollie (Exeter Chiefs, 46 caps) 14. Rhona Lloyd (Stade Bordelais, 35 caps) 13. Emma Orr (Biggar, 1 cap) 12. Lisa Thomson (Sale Sharks, 42 caps) 11. Megan Gaffney (Loughborough Lightning, 41 caps) 10. Helen Nelson (Loughborough Lightning, 39 caps) 9. Jenny Maxwell (Loughborough Lightning, 38 caps); 1. Leah Bartlett (Loughborough Lightning, 14 caps) 2. Lana Skeldon (Worcester Warriors, 50 caps) 3. Christine Belisle (Loughborough Lightning, 14 caps) 4. Louise McMillan (Hillhead Jordanhill, 33 caps) 5. Sarah Bonar (Harlequins, 26 caps) 6. Rachel Malcolm (captain, Loughborough Lightning, 26 caps) 7. Evie Gallagher (Stirling County, 9 caps) 8. Jade Konkel (Harlequins, 51 caps)
Bench:
16. Jodie Rettie (Saracens, 18 caps) 17. Molly Wright (Sale Sharks, 11 caps) 18. Katie Dougan (Gloucester Hartpury, 16 caps) 19. Lyndsay O’Donnell (Worcester Warriors, 15 caps) 20. Rachel McLachlan (Sale Sharks, 25 caps) 21. Caity Mattinson (Worcester Warriors, 2 caps) 22. Sarah Law (Sale Sharks, 49 caps) 23. Meryl Smith (Edinburgh University, 1 cap)
France
15. Emilie Boulard 14. Marie-Aurélie Castel 13. Marine Ménager 12. Chloé Jacquet 11. Mellisande Llorens 10. Jessy Trémoulière 9. Laure Sansus; 1. Annaëlle Deshayes 2. Laure Touyé 3. Assia Khalfoui 4. Céline Ferer 5. Madoussou Fall 6. Julie Annery 7. Gaëlle Hermet (captain) 8. Émeline Gros
Bench:
16. Célia Domain 17. Coco Lindelauf 18. Clara Joyeux 19. Safi N’Diaye 20. Romane Ménager 21. Alexandre Chambon 22. Morgane Peyronnet 23. Gabrielle Vernier
Officials:
Referee: Clara Munarini (FIR)
ARs: Nikki O’Donnell (RFU) and Maria Giovanna Pacifico (FIR) TMO: Ben Whitehouse (WRU)
With thanks to rugby referee.net
Table:
P W L B Pts
England 3 3 0 3 15
France 3 3 0 3 15
Wales 3 2 1 2 10
Ireland 3 1 2 0 5
Scotland 3 0 3 1 1
Italy 3 0 3 0 0
Afterthoughts
Scotland were deprived of Emma Wassell, Lisa Cockburn, Shona Campbell and Hannah Smith. Given their resources, this was a burden.
The saddest detail: an injury to Emma Wassell’s wrist meant an end to 54 consecutive appearances for her nation.
Two more players joined the throng of 50-cappers, Céline Ferer and, later on, Sarah Law.
Congratulations to them.
A pause for breath now. Round four lies a fortnight away.
Fixtures
22 April: Wales v France, Cardiff
23 April: Italy v Scotland, Parma
24 April: England v Ireland, Leicester
