While obviously disappointed with the final score of 51-12 to England, Scotland head coach Louise Dalgliesh was pleased with the intent shown by her side in attack and the upping of the physicality levels after the break in their under-21 Six Nations Series opener on Saturday.
The sides met at Hive Stadium just before the big Women’s Six Nations match at Murrayfield and England’s pace and power was too much for the young Scots.
But, when Scotland did get things right, played with tempo and were more combative at the breakdown, they caused their opponents some problems and will want to build on those plus points with games against France away on May 2 and Italy at home on May 10 to come.
Nicole Flynn, the centre from Edinburgh University/Glasgow Warriors, scored both of Scotland’s tries, one whilst wearing one boot. Vice-captain and Flynn’s centre partner Lucy MacRae (Edinburgh University/Edinburgh Rugby) converted one.
Special mention should go to tighthead prop Faye Sutherland (Heriot’s/Edinburgh) who kicked ahead in the first half and caught it, not something you see from someone wearing number three on their back often!
“Initially I think some of our scrum work was excellent and we did some good stuff in that area which we can build on,” Dalgliesh said after the game.
“Some of the intent we saw in what we were trying to do in attack was good. We can clean up on some things, but the intent being there is important.
“We said that we were going to look for intent in this game and we definitely saw that.
“England are a physical squad, they’ve had a lot of time together and they have players with PWR English top flight experience. I think we gave them some easy tries and we made them work really hard for some other ones.
“We spoke at half-time, we were being too passive at the breakdown.
“We weren’t clearing threats and, at times, we were actually slowing our own ball down so we knew we needed to be a bit more aggressive in that space and we were in the second half.
“As a result, we really challenge England to defend and got them going backwards a little bit more.
“The next challenge is what bits of this performance can we take and become even better at.
“There were lots of fans out watching this game and it was great for the girls to be part of such a big day.”
Try hat-tricks came for England from centre Carmela Morrall and full-back Solana Shaw de Leon while centre Molly Bunker, hooker Hayley Jones and tighthead prop Aisha Jah also crossed and stand-off Ella Cromack converted three on them.
Morrall was excellent and was named player of the match while the late All Black Jerry Collins’ daughter Honey Kerslake got involved in the game off the bench.
In the other under-21 Six Nations Series games at the weekend, Ireland beat Italy 55-8 and France saw off Wales away from home 76-5.
Nicole Flynn is pictured attacking for the under-21s against England – thanks to Scottish Rugby
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