Six Nations: France Women 76 - 0 Scotland Women

By MARK BUCHANAN
Published on 16/03/2013 01:11

Scotland suffered their fifth successive defeat in the women’s Six Nations Championship after losing to a powerful and physical French side in Dijon.

Scorers: France: Tries: J Billes (3), J Trenoulier (3), E Guiglion, G Mignet, S Agricole, S N’diaye, C Chobet, L Godiveau. Cons: A Bailon (8).

The French physicality was encapsulated by an incident towards the end of the match that resulted in the dismissal to the sin-bin of the France captain for a punch.

The Scots got close to the France line only twice the but each time were stopped with ease. Scotland struggled throughout to get their hands on the ball and when they did secure possession the French used their muscularity to rip the ball from them.

The defeat means that Scotland have scored only three points in their campaign, a reflection of their mainly amateur status at a time when the women’s game in the other countries has 
followed the way of men’s rugby.

In defeat, though, the former Alloa wing, Lindsay O’Donnell, now with Worcester, showed up well and there was an impressive performance on the other wing from Megan Gaffney, who pulled off several excellent tackles. Up front prop Tracy Balmer put in a strong shift, but overall this was a performance Scotland will want to put behind them.