Whenever Scotland women take on France minds are often cast back to the excellent 13-13 draw versus the same opponents at Scotstoun in 2020 and the famous 10-8 win over them at Lasswade’s Hawthornden ground in 2010.
Back-rower Lynne Reid was the captain in that latter game 15 years ago when Lucy Millard ran in two tries to get the Scots over the line.
And, ahead of Saturday’s Guinness Women’s Six Nations clash between the two nations in La Rochelle, Reid, who is Scotland cap number 97 and won 55 caps, recounted: “I remember it was dark and wet and misty, however, the crowd was out in force as the stand at Lasswade was filled with the Scots and the travelling French support.
“The conditions obviously made things tricky, but this led to a tight running game of rugby where the forwards carried strongly and the backs looked to take their chances when they came. We were 8-5 down in the dying minutes and we took our chance.
“Disrupting a lineout in the French ‘22’, the back-row applied the pressure which resulted in a knock on and a scrum to Scotland. The position of the scrum offered us the chance to run a ‘strike play’ straight from the training ground and ‘Zulfi’ was the call.
“Everyone did their job: the forwards applied the pressure to push the scrum up on the right hand side, Donna Kennedy controlled the ball from No.8, Louise Dalgliesh lifted the ball to the oncoming Lucy Millard who showed her world class pace and finishing ability by beating the French winger and touching down in the right hand corner in the 79th minute.
“The conversion was missed, but we celebrated a 10-8 win.”
Having started off her rugby life as a back-row, Reid was “humbled and delighted” to be selected for Scotland in the 2004/2005 season, making her debut at loosehead prop versus Wales at Cardiff Arms Park on February 14, 2004.
“I was really fortunate that the previous squads, coaches and support staff had began to make great strides in gaining recognition for the women’s game,” the player who transitioned back to the back-row in 2008, said.
“Whilst we relied on our employers to support time off for training and competitions, the SWRU at the time supported travel and kit costs.
“Additionally, I was privileged that my introduction to the national team was not only supported by an excellent coaching team in Stevie Gemmell, Andy Henderson and Gil Stevenson, but by a squad of experienced and world class players and leaders such as Donna Kennedy and Paula Chalmers.
“I initially learnt my front-row trade from Karen Findlay and Ali Christie and when I made the transition back to flanker, I took full advantage of developing my skills alongside Donna and Beth Macleod.
“The training camps with Scotland are both a torturous and welcome memory in equal parts. Roughing it out at army barracks and navy quarters in the Scottish winters was not an experience that I would want to rush back to, however, the overall environment is one that offered so much, growing a sense of team spirit, camaraderie and true understanding of who we were.
“In terms of the games, we enjoyed true battles on the pitch and matches against France and England stick out in my mind as some of the toughest, but yet, the most enjoyable.
“The experience of competing in the 2006 World Cup in Canada and leading the team as captain at the 2010 World Cup in England are standout highlights. Specifically, the last pool match against New Zealand in the 2006 World Cup is in my mind as one of our best all round performances.
“We took the game to them and defended with all our worth as we went in at half time 6-0 down and moving into the second half full of belief and passion. Ultimately, we lost 24-0, but stood proud and accepted the deserved recognition we got at the full-time whistle.
“The other highlight was of course the win against France at Lasswade in the 2010 Six Nations.”
Playing for your country is one thing, but being made skipper is another and Reid feels honoured to have done that.
Reid, now 48 and living just outside Dunfermline in Fife, said: It was a tremendous honour to lead the squad and moments like the French win and winning the 5th/6th playoff at the FIRA tournament in 2008 to qualify for the 2010 World Cup offer are good memories.
“As a captain the most important thing is to have the support of the players and coaching staff around you. I was blessed to play with such a talented, committed and hard working group of women who continued to grasp every opportunity to not only improve their own ability, but to continue to gain the recognition and support that the women’s game deserved.”
Reid grew up in Dalgety Bay in Fife and first experienced playing rugby at Liverpool John Moores University where she studied to be a PE teacher.
“My main sport was hockey and the rugby team were short for a game so I was asked/volunteered to help out,” she explained.
“Unfortunately, I broke my collarbone in that first game so a return to hockey it was!
“On returning to Scotland in 2000, I moved to Edinburgh and had the opportunity to watch more women’s rugby within the city. I decided to give it another go and during a Friday night training session at Edinburgh Accies I ran into Ali Christie and broke my other collarbone.
“Back to hockey I went again!
“However, my interest and love of the game continued to grow, following the men’s internationals and watching the growing rivalry between Royal High and Murrayfield Wanderers the two Edinburgh women’s teams at the time.
“It was clear that women’s rugby was on the rise and was impressed at the developing levels of skill and knowledge of the game. Essentially, however I was drawn by the team spirit that was on show and the evident strength of friendships that were formed through the game.
“I returned to rugby in 2002 and joined Royal High. Andrew Henderson, the forwards coach at the time, was watching one of the games and spoke with me afterwards about potential. He encouraged me to make a switch to loosehead prop and invited me to the upcoming Scotland trials and things went from there.”
Reid now works as Head of Programmes and Admissions for a children’s charity, Aberlour Sycamore Services, and is also a Foster Carer.
And she still enjoys following the fortunes of the women’s national team.
“Absolutely, I watch all the games and will always look to get to at least one of the Six Nations or Autumn International fixtures,” she stated.
“I think they have been progressively improving season after season and it is great to see that there is also depth to the squad with players coming through the Celtic Challenge competition.
“Without doubt the opportunity to play in the PWR has greatly benefitted many of the players and the full-time contracts have allowed us to bridge some of the gap that had appeared at a time when other nations were progressing quicker with the support and backing of their Unions.
“The girls have made an excellent start to the 2025 Six Nations with the win against Wales and having the Hive as the home of Scotland women’s rugby has been a fantastic agreement.
“On a matchday you can feel the atmosphere and unwavering passion and pride that comes from the girls on the pitch.
“We also have further opportunity to support the current, future and past Scotland internationalists through a group that I am part of called the ‘Scottish Legends’.
“Alongside Kim Littlejohn, Donna Kennedy, Beth Macleod, Rhona Shepherd, Jilly McCord, Lee Cockburn, Heather Lockhart and Jenni Sheerin we ensure that we continue to create opportunities to remain connected through rugby and provide a network of support.
“Having hosted the Red Roses last year we are looking forward to welcome ex-Ireland players and support staff this year for Super Saturday on April 26.
“I’d just like to wish Bryan, Rachel and the squad continued success for the remainder of the tournament and in the World Cup this year.”
Scotland squad to play France: Chloe Rollie; Rhona Lloyd, Emma Orr, Lisa Thomson, Francesca McGhie; Helen Nelson, Leia Brebner-Holden; Anne Young, Lana Skeldon, Elliann Clarke, Hollie Cunningham, Sarah Bonar, Rachel Malcolm (C), Rachel McLachlan, Jade Konkel. Subs: Elis Martin, Leah Bartlett, Molly Poolman, Adelle Ferrie, Becky Boyd, Alex Stewart, Caity Mattinson, Evie Wills.
The Guinness Women’s Six Nations runs from March 22 to April 26 and, after a trip to France in round two on March 29, Scotland are at Hive Stadium in round three versus Italy on April 13 – get tickets for the two Scotland remaining home games here.
Lynne Reid is pictured
GH Media will be covering Scotland women’s journey right through to Rugby World Cup 2025, bringing insight from within the camp throughout and featuring other parts of the game in this country too – thanks to those already supporting the content, if you or your company would like to get involved please email gary@gh-media.co.uk