Scotland have not beaten France for a long time and the hosts in La Rochelle will still be big favourites on Saturday, but after 13 wins from 17 Tests and pushing the same opponents close last year, Scotland assistant coach Matt Banahan is looking forward to the challenge.
On Thursday the squad will make the trip for their Guinness Women’s Six Nations round two clash which will take place in the Stade Marcel-Deflandre on Saturday afternoon.
France are fourth in the world and Scotland seventh and the last time the latter won a clash between the two was in 2010, a 10-8 victory at Hawthorden, the home of Lasswade, in the Six Nations.
They did also grab a 13-13 draw at Scotstoun in 2020 while, last year, only a late try made sure of a 15-5 win for France at Hive Stadium.
Given the Scots run of 13 wins in 17 incorporating a WXV 2 2023 title began after a 55-0 loss to France two years ago, this weekend will be a good yardstick to see just how much the squad really have improved.
Late last year Scotland did rise to an all-time high of five in the world rankings before slipping back a couple of places, but Banahan, the former England men’s cap who focuses on the attack, does not want them to be afraid of facing the top sides England, Canada, New Zealand and France any more.
“There is no ‘them and us’ anymore, we are ‘there’ at that level and we have to make sure that every game we go into we step up and prove that we can go toe to toe with any team around,” Banahan said.
“There is no drop off, all of the players are on the same level now as the French players for example and they just have to show that.
“The opportunities that most of the players have had playing at the highest level in England and elsewhere means that they are at that top level with all of the players from the other countries now and, as professionals, going into games they are not afraid.
“Even from WXV 2 just gone until now the growth has been amazing. Back at WXV 2 in 2023 we played some good rugby and won, but now we have good, good rugby players who really understand the game and can go up against the best in the world.
“They can now make better decisions under pressure and that growth really excites me.
“As a squad you can see we are just growing bigger and bigger. Why are the top four the top four in the world? It is because of the depth that they have and to catch them up you have to grow your depth and give players the opportunity to shine at this level.
“We are pushing on with that now and we want to keep pushing closer to that top four.”
The Scotland matchday 23 to play France is due to be named on Thursday.
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.
Matt Banahan is pictured
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