Scotland battled all the way, but eventually lost out to France 15-5 in the Guinness Women’s Six Nations at Hive Stadium in Edinburgh on Saturday.
France took the lead in the 13th minute of the second round clash when stand-off Lina Queyroi kicked a penalty.
Four minutes later, her opposite number Helen Nelson, who kicked all her goals last week in the win versus Wales, had the chance to level the scores, but was off target with a penalty.
In the 27th minute France were on the attack, but Scotland’s defence was standing firm and they eventually held the visitors up over the try line.
Six minutes later, Scotland had their best attacking moment to date, a lineout catch and drive saw them close to the game's first try.
They did score three minutes later though, a similar move seeing hooker Elis Martin going over. Nelson could not convert and it was 5-3 at half-time.
France came out of the blocks flying after the break and winger Rhona Lloyd had to make a try saving tackle on full-back Emilie Boulard as the score stayed the same.
Replacement hooker Molly Wright was then forced off less than a minute after coming on due to a head injury. After a lengthy stoppage, France scored an unconverted try straight away in the 54th minute via winger Kelly Arbey and it was 8-5.
Queyroi’s penalty effort on the hour mark then hit the upright and the game was right in the balance until the final minutes before France replacement Emeline Gros scoring a try with the clock in the red to deny Scotland a losing bonus point. Queyroi converted.
Here are five things we learned from Hive Stadium
Scotland can take confidence despite defeat
Scotland will be frustrated with how things ended up as they were in this game right until the end, but they showed that they can go toe-to-toe with the best in the world now.
Last year France thumped them 55-0, but this time Scotland caused the world number three side real issues. Professionalism and seven wins can continue to be built on now.
Scotland's defence is constantly improving
France had a lot of possession in the first half and had chances to score tries, but time after time the Scots knocked them back.
In midweek assistant coach Tyrone Holmes had talked about the players putting their bodies on the line and they were doing just that.
The second half followed the same pattern and this type of defence gives Scotland a really good base going forward.
When Scotland get lineout drive right it’s a real weapon
The lineout struggled in the first half at times, but when hooker Elis Martin and her jumpers nailed it in the 33rd and 36th minutes - the latter for a try - the French could not cope with it. This weapon is one that the Scotland pack can continue to build on and they can perhaps use it more at times.
World-class Evie Gallagher
The 23-year-old number eight missed out on the Rugby World Cup in late 2022 due to injury which was tough for her to take, but since then she has come back stronger than ever.
She has been virtually ever-present in the last year and a bit and she must have her eye on the British & Irish Lions tour in 2027 as she carries hard, has great footwork and tackles very well.
Support for this team will only grow
The record home crowd for a Six Nations match before this was 4,862 set last year versus Ireland at the DAM Health Stadium now known as the Hive.
That was broken here with 5,601 in attendance and you would like to think that even more will be at the same location in a fortnight. It is also great to see so many families following the team.
Scotland: Meryl Smith (Chloe Rollie, 52); Rhona Lloyd, Emma Orr, Lisa Thomson, Coreen Grant; Helen Nelson, Caity Mattinson (Mairi McDonald, 63); Leah Bartlett (Lisa Cockburn, 66), Elis Martin (Molly Wright, 52, Martin, 53), Christine Belisle (Elliann Clarke, 61), Emma Wassell, Louise McMillan, Rachel Malcolm (C), Alex Stewart, Evie Gallagher. Unused: Fiona McIntosh, Eva Donaldson, Nicole Flynn.
Try: Martin (36)
France: Emilie Boulard; Kelly Arbey, Nassira Kondé, Gabrielle Vernier (Bourgeois 27-37), Marine Ménager; Lina Queyroi, Pauline Bourdon Sansus (Chambon 61); Annaëlle Deshaye (Mwayembe 52), Agathe Sochat (Bigot 71), Assia Khalfaoui (Joyeux 66), Manae Feleu (c), Madoussou Fall, Axelle Berthoumieu (Escudero 56), Gaëlle Hermet (Gros 64), Romane Ménager. Unused: Lina Tuy.
Tries: Arbey (54), Gros (80)
Conversion: Queyroi (80)
Penalty: Queyroi (13)
Referee: Sara Cox
Attendance: 5,601
Player of the Match: Romane Ménager (France)
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