Image source, SNSImage caption, Scotland were hoping to register their second win of this year's championship
ByAndy BurkeBBC Sport Scotland at Hive Stadium- Published41 minutes ago
Women's Six Nations
Scotland (14) 28
Tries: Phillips 2, Coubrough, Sutcliffe Cons: Nelson 4
France (31) 69
Tries: Feleu, Arbez, Champon 2, Barrat, Soqeta (2), Chambon, Murie, Deshayes, Mwayembe Cons: Arbez 4, Queyroi 3
France ran in 11 tries to sweep Scotland aside and earn the bonus-point win that sets up a final day showdown with England for the Women's Six Nations title.
Tries from Manae Feleu, Carla Arbez, Siobhan Soqeta and two from Lea Champon put the French into a 31-14 half-time lead, with a double from Rachel Philipps giving the home fans something to cheer.
Pauline Barrat stretched the visitors' lead after the break, Soqeta crossed again and further scores from Alexandra Chambon, Lea Murie, Annaelle Deshayes and Ambre Mwayembe saw the French ease to victory.
Emily Coubrough and Aicha Sutcliffe scored second-half tries as the Scots claimed a four-try bonus point in defeat.
Scotland travel to face Ireland in Dublin next Sunday, while France host champions England in the tournament decider in Bordeaux later that day.
Third defeat in row for weakened Scots
The Scots were looking to bounce back from heavy defeats by England and Italy but made a nightmare start, spilling the ball straight from kick-off, and France made them pay when Feleu dived over with barely 50 seconds on the clock.
The home side survived another onslaught with a turnover on their own line which allowed Rhona Lloyd to break free and get Scotland up the pitch.
From there they built the pressure and Philipps burst through to power her way over the line on her first Test start. Helen Nelson converted to give Scotland the lead.
Despite France being down to 14 players with Feleu sent to the sin-bin, Scotland's lead lasted all of two minutes as Arbez dinked a clever kick over the defence and gathered herself to go in under the sticks.
The French power was beginning to show and lock Soqueta blasted over from close range to put the visitors in control at 19-7.
After competing well for the opening half-hour, the Scottish defence was starting to look a little ragged and number eight Champon was allowed to break through and tie up the bonus point for France with their fourth try.
In the absence of the injured Emma Orr, Philipps was grabbing her opportunity with both hands and cut another terrific line to slice through for her second try.
Given their horrendous injury list and the relative inexperience of the side, Scotland were competing well but suffered a gut punch right on half-time as Champon broke free once again to grab her second try.
France started the second half as they had the first, striking early with some neat passing sending full-back Barrat over in the corner.
The visitors were hungry for more and although Scotland defended their line stoutly, the dam eventually burst for Soqeta to break through for her second try of the afternoon, France's seventh.
The Scots were tiring, gaps were appearing and substitute Chambon peeled off the base of a maul to find her way to the line and bring up the 50 points.
The French were moving through the gears and Murie streaked away for a fabulous individual try.
On a rare foray into the French half, the Scots showed a bit of resistance as substitute Coubrough forced her way over for the home side's third try of the afternoon, before Deshayes instantly replied.
Substitute Sutcliffe marked her international debut with a try to ensure the Scots took something from the game, but Mwayembe had the final word as the French made it four from four in emphatic style.
Related topics
Women's Six Nations: Fixtures, results, standings and BBC coverage
- Published30 April
