W6N: battling Scotland succumb to French physicality and finesse

03/29/2025 01:44 PM

SCOTLAND have made massive progress in the two years since they last visited France and suffered a  55-0 defeat which was their 12th loss on the bounce in all competitions. Their subsequent record of 13 wins from 17 games before today is testament to that.

But this game at the Stade Marcel-Deflandre in La Rochelle was a reminder that they have not progressed in isolation. They may be significantly closer to France than they were in 2023, yet they still have some way to go before closing the gap entirely.

Perhaps the most impressive aspect of this performance was the team's resilience in both attack and defence. Even with the game long gone, they first kept fighting to prevent further scores as the home team threatened to run riot, and then kept playing right to the death, being rewarded with their second try of the afternoon, scored by Elis Martin, in the final play of the match. They had had the last word in the first half, too, when Emma Orr‘s try and Helen Nelson‘s conversion narrowed the gap at the break to 13-7.

But having the last word in a game you lose is a bit like making a witty retort after being punched to the ground. You feel better momentarily, but the pain remains.  

And although in her post-match analysis captain Rachel Malcolm was careful to stress her team’s progress over the past couple of seasons, for her the most salient point to be made was about the lapse of concentration that saw Scotland concede three tries in seven or eight minutes midway through the second 40. "At half-time we had a real energy about us,”” she said. “But in that 15, 20 minutes after half-time they really turned it up a notch and we didn't really react. 

"We showed today that we can compete against the best. But we also showed that if we don't concentrate and keep our intensity at 100 per cent for the whole 85 minutes, teams will punish us – and that's exactly what they did.

"But I'm super-proud of the effort. To keep the heart and to go and score a try right at the death, I think that shows what this team is all about.

"It has been a massive turnaround," the back-row forward continued, comparing this performance with the pointless outing in 2023. "I sat here two years ago on the back of a 12th defeat in a row and I sit here today disappointed that we haven't come away with a win. That is a big transition in mindset and in terms of what we expect of ourselves – and that is huge. 

"Our management are helping us to really believe that we can compete with the top teams in the world like France. There’s a huge amount to build on. We're not happy with just coming here and scoring a few points against France. We wanted to beat them, and knew we could if we got things right, so that is a big shift in mindset from two years ago."

Scotland had to make a very early change when lock Hollie Cunningham, a debutant in last week’s win over Wales, was forced off with a hamstring injury. She was replaced by Adelle Ferrie, who won her first cap off the bench in the last few minutes against Wales seven days earlier.

The Scots’ set piece was under pressure from the opening minutes, but it was an offence at the breakdown that gave France the chance to open the scoring through Morgane Bourgeois’ penalty. Lisa Thomson‘s restart went dead, and from the resultant scrum on halfway a French attack ended with Carla Arbez crossing between the posts and Bourgeois adding the conversion.

Watsonians and Edinburgh prop Molly Poolman then came on for debut while Elliann Clarke went off for an HIA, and before the starting tighthead was back, Bourgeois made it 13-0 with a penalty. France had chances to stretch their lead as half-time approached, but in the event it was Scotland who scored. Thomson hacked through after a French fumble, and Orr kicked ahead again just before Marine Menager could stoop to pick up. Orr touched down, Nelson converted and Scotland were back to within six points.

However, the game began to slip away from the visitors again in the third quarter as French used their physical power and inventive offloads to telling effect. Another Bourgeois penalty made it 16-7 a few minutes after the restart, and then Pauline Bourdon-Sansus added three more points with a drop goal – the first in the Championship for 11 years.

When Scotland won a penalty following a promising break by Francesca McGhie into the home 22, Nelson’s kick made it 19-10 and it was game on again. But then, just past the hour, came the critical passage of play, as the French attack sprang into life and killed off the contest with three tries in eight minutes.

Teani Feleu got the first, following up on the left flank after a Bourdon-Sansus break off a maul. Seraphine Okemba scored the next one, from an offload by Kelly Arbey. And finally Bourgeois added to her tally with the boot by touching down on the end of a long, punishingly persistent drive after dummying inside Malcolm. 

That triple whammy put the game to bed, but thankfully Scotland were in no mood to go to sleep. Loughborough Lightning lock Becky Boyd came on for her debut and showed up well in the loose, Clarke also put in some good carries, and the elusive McGhie continued to threaten with every possession.

In the end, persistence paid off with that consolation score. A penalty was sent to the corner, and Martin executed well from the lineout maul. Nelson’s conversion attempt came back off the post, ending the game.

Teams – 

France: M Bourgeois; K Arbey, M Menager, M Amedee, M Llorens Vigneres; C Arbez (L Queyroi 61), P Bourdon Sansus (A Chambon 65); Y Brosseau (A Mwayembe 51), M Bigot (E Riffonneau 67), R Bernadou (C Joyeux 51), M Feleu (captain, K Zago 67), M Fall Racot, C Escudero (A Berthoumieu 59), S Okemba (Lea Champon 73), T Feleu. 

Scotland: C Rollie; R Lloyd, E Orr (E Wills 69), L Thomson, F McGhie; H Nelson, L Brebner-Holden (C Mattinson 65); A Young (L Bartlett 61), L Skeldon (E Martin 69), E Clarke (Temp rep M Poolman 18-28, 78), H Cunningham (A Ferrie 2, B Boyd 69), S Bonar, R Malcolm (captain), R McLachlan, J Konkel (A Stewart 61).

Referee: Lauren Jenner (Italy).

Scorers – 

France: Tries: Arbez, T Feleu, Okemba, Bourgeois. Cons: Bourgeois 3. Pens: Bourgeois 3. Drop goal: Bourdon-Sansus.

Scotland: Tries: Orr, Martin. Con: Nelson. Pens: Nelson.

Scoring sequence (France first): 3-0; 8-0; 10-0; 13-0; 13-5; 13-7 HT; 16-7; 19-7; 19-10; 24-10; 26-10; 31-10; 36-10; 38-10; 38-15.

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