Scotland suffered a third heavy loss on the spin in the Women’s Six Nations on Saturday, but captain Helen Nelson believes the side have taken a step forward after earning a four-try bonus point in defeat to France at Hive Stadium in Edinburgh.
The injury-ravaged Scots went into the round four contest after recently losing to England 84-7 and Italy 41-14 and this was always going to be another tough assignment against title chasing opponents.
It proved to be that way as France ran in 11 tries to come out on top 69-28.
But Scotland did keep fighting to get four tries of their own.
“We knew it was going to be tough, but I think we are really proud of the effort we put in,” stand-off Nelson said.
“We have a lot of injuries at the moment and that allows some of the younger players to step up and I think they really did that, the energy off the bench was unbelievable.
“I think the mindset and the way we kept fighting back is probably the biggest positive from this game.
We weren’t happy with our last couple of defensive performances and we wanted to get that fight and belief back and that is what we feel we showed here.”
Scotland got off to the worst possible start when the first kick-off by France was not dealt with and the visitors recovered the ball to score the opening try after just 50 seconds via captain Manae Feleu.
Scotland were shell-shocked, but they got themselves settled into things and, in the 16h minute, centre Rachel Philipps powered through to score her first try for her country. Captain Helen Nelson converted and France skipper Feleu was also yellow cared at that point.
France were not 7-5 behind for long though and a chip over the top from their stand-off Carla Arbez was collected by the same player for a try. Arbez converted and it was 12-7.
Just before Feleu returned from the sin bin, second-row Siobhan Soqeta bagged France’s third try. With Arbez converting it was 19-7 and Scotland will have been kicking themselves to have conceded 14 points when they had an extra player.
France were well in charge now and their bonus point fourth try came in the 32nd minute when No.8 Lea Champon burst through with Arbez converting to make it 26-7.
Scotland got a try back before half-time when Nelson put Philipps through a gap and she scored her second. Nelson converted and it was 26-14, but Champon’s second try made it 31-14 at the interval.
Just as they had in the first half, France scored early in the second and their sixth try came via full-back Pauline Barrat.
Scotland were defending well, but they were just having to defend too much and, just before the hour mark, Soqeta scored her second try. Arbez’s conversion made it 43-14.
Sub Alexandra Chambon, winger Lea Murie, sub Annaelle Deshaye and sub Ambre Mwayembe scored the final four tries for France in the last quarter with three converted by sub Lina Queyroi.
Replacements Emily Coubrough and Aicha Sutcliffe – the latter on debut – scored Scotland’s tries in that period with both converted by Nelson.
- Scotland, after a win against Wales and now three defeats, are fifth in the Six Nations standings before heading to Ireland in the final game on May 17.
After a 61-33 round four win in Italy, England are top and will travel to Bordeaux in round five for a title decider with France. In Saturday’s other round four game Ireland beat winless Wales 33-12.
A determined Eva Donaldson is pictured versus France – thanks to Scottish Rugby
The Women’s Six Nations is here and the 2026 event runs from April 11 to May 17 and, between April 6 and May 20, GH Media will be covering Scotland’s campaign and the wider tournament – keep an eye out for content and thanks to everyone who supports GH Media’s work within women’s rugby