Rachel McLachlan believes the sold out crowd at the Stade Marcel-Deflandre can inspire Scotland to put in a strong performance against France in round two of the Guinness Women’s Six Nations on Saturday.
The majority of the 16,700 crowd in La Rochelle will be cheering on the hosts, but openside McLachlan is the type of player that thrives in an atmosphere like that and she feels that her team mates can too.
“Yeah, absolutely,” she said when asked if the crowd and the noise will spur her on.
“French rugby is incredible. It’s a really exciting opportunity for us to go there and play. They have great crowds and that will be amazing for people who have seen it before, but also for the girls who haven’t.
“It’s about focusing on us. The atmosphere will get us going and excited to play, but we won’t let that noise get to us.
“I now play my club rugby in France with Montpellier and I enjoy it there and the rugby culture in the country.
“I think it was absolutely the right decision for me and I’m really happy. I think both in my life and in my rugby it’s given me a change that I needed and a bit of a spur – I feel like I’m really motivated just now and I’ve got the energy to improve my game in such a busy year of rugby.”
McLachlan grew up as a judo player before taking up rugby at university and she has been a big part of the Scotland squad ever since a debut in 2018 aged 19.
Now 26, she will be earning her 48th cap this weekend as the Scots look to build on an opening round 24-21 win over Wales at Hive Stadium last time out.
France are fourth in the world and Scotland seventh and the hosts have dominated this fixture over the years, the Scots’ last win coming in 2010 while they grabbed a draw in 2020.
The French also defeated Ireland in Belfast last week and will be favourites for this game, but 13 wins in 17 Tests since the last trip to France in 2023 – and a tight 15-5 loss last year – has given the Scotland squad real belief.
“I think there were massive positives against Wales and what’s even more positive is that we know we’ve got so much more in the tank,” McLachlan explained.
“It was a full 23, 25 squad performance. We always want to be building game after game and it’s a long tournament so this week we have just been working on improving on what we need to if we want to challenge France and cause them problems when we have the ball.”
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.
Rachel McLachlan is pictured in full flow versus Wales in round one – thanks to Bryan Robertson
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