France march on in title quest
Scotland’s difficult season continued with another hammering in the women’s 6 Nations – this time table-toppers France scoring 11 tries in a 69-0 win.
Published by Alison Donnelly, March 10th, 2014
3 minute read
France scored six tries in the first half and give in the second as Scotland now go into the final game against Wales searching for their first win with the Welsh also winless after four games.
France will go into Friday night’s game with Ireland knowing a win or a draw will win them the title and Ireland will need a huge effort to stop them on current form.
Sandrine Agricole missed her first shot at goal after just a minute of the match but the visitors didn’t have to wait long to open the floodgates when Shannon Izar set up winger Marion Lievre for an unconverted try.
France pressed hard in attack but Scotland full-back Steph Johnston did very well to cover grubber kick and hold them out but France did add their second try in the 13th minute when No.8 Safi N'Diaye went over for the converted effort. Ten minutes later the same player went over again and they ran in three more tries before half-time, captain Gaelle Mignot, second-row Assa Koite and winger Camille Grassineau all scoring for a 38-0 lead at the break.
Scotland were improved in the second half, especially at the breakdown and it took France 17 minutes to get their next try, with Lise Arricastre going over. Four more tries came from full-back Christelle Leduff, Izar, back-row Koumiba Djossouvi and replacement Jessy Tremouliere.
SCOTLAND:15. Steph Johnston (Worcester),14. Annabel Sergeant (Richmond),13. Gillian Inglis (Melrose),12. Laura Steven (Murrayfield Wanderers),11. Katy Green (Darlington Mowden Park Sharks),10. Tanya Griffith (RHC Cougars),9. Sarah Law (Murrayfield Wanderers),1. Heather Lockhart (Hillhead-Jordanhill),2.Lindsey Smith (Hillhead-Jordanhill),3.Tracy Balmer CAPTAIN (Worcester),4. Deborah McCormack (Richmond),5. Emma Wassell (Murrayfield Wanderers),6. Ruth Slaven (Murrayfield Wanderers),7. Tess Forsberg (Richmond),8. Jade Konkel (Hillhead-Jordanhill)Replacements:16. Lana Skeldon (Melrose)17.Karen Dunbar (Watsonians)18. Lisa Robertson (Murrayfield Wanderers)19. Rachael Cook (Murrayfield Wanderers)20. Louise Dalgliesh (RHC Cougars)21.Lisa Martin (Murrayfield Wanderers)22. Megan Gaffney (Hillhead-Jordanhill)23. Sarah Smith (Hillhead-Jordanhill)
FRANCE :LeDuff, Lièvre, Izar, Mayans, Grassineau (Tremoulière, 40) – (o) Agricole (Poublan, 40), (m) Troncy (Rivoalen, 59) - N’Diaye, Diallo (Grand, 55), Djoussouvi – Koita (Denadaï, 45), Rabier – Portaries (Duval, 35), Mignot (cap) (Salles, 45), Ezanno (Arricastre, 39)