Rugby: Under 20s and Women feel French force

Young Borders rugby players representing their country suffered a double dose of defeat last weekend at the hands of the French national teams.
Player of the Match - Lisa Thomson from HawickPlayer of the Match - Lisa Thomson from Hawick
Player of the Match - Lisa Thomson from Hawick

Following another big ball-carrying shift Hawick centre Lisa Thomson was named player of the match despite the Scotland Women’s team suffering a 24-0 defeat at Broadwood Stadium on Friday night.

The hosts, which also featured Jedburgh’s Chloe Rollie and Lana Skeldon (Hawick), put on a gritty performance to match the physicality of an experienced French side that sat second on the Six Nations table.

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Both teams struggled with the greasy conditions as light rain fell, but it was the visitors who celebrated at the final whistle.

The Scots’ effort in defence was outstanding and they showed some encouraging vigour on attack, but they were unable to find any gaps and put points on the board.

Scotland Women Head Coach Shade Munro said he was proud of the attitude and the performance the ladies put in, but admitted there was still lots of work to be done.

Following on from that game the Scotland under-20s were also unable to overcome a clinical French side in their Six Nations fourth round fixture, with the visitors recording a 36-21 victory.

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The defeat brought an end to Scotland’s record of four consecutive home victories, with the age-grade side having not lost on Scottish turf in over two years.

An exciting first-half, saw the hosts go into the turn trailing by three points, with Ben Robbins crossing the whitewash and Adam Hastings kicking three penalties.

John Dalziel’s men, including Hawick wing Darcy Graham and Gala full-back Ruairi Howarth, battled valiantly throughout, with Matt Smith adding a second try in the 62nd minute and Hastings’ conversion closing the gap to three points as the game entered the last ten minutes, yet two late tries from the visitors put the victory out of reach.

Both sides sign off from their respective campaigns this weekend with the under-20s playing Ireland at Donnybrook on Friday night and the Women playing at the same venue on Sunday.