France dominate in second half to beat Scotland

Women’s Six Nations

France (13) 38

Tries: Arbez, Feleu, Okemba, Bourgeois Cons: Bourdon, Bourgeois 2 Pens: Bourgeois 3 Drop-goal: Bourdon

Scotland (7) 15

France produced a clinical second-half performance in La Rochelle to inflict a first defeat of this year’s Women’s Six Nations on Scotland.

The hosts took control of the first half to race into a 13-0 lead through a well-taken try by fly-half Carla Arbez and two penalties from Morgane Bourgeois.

But Emma Orr’s opportunistic score brought the visitors back within touching at half-time.

However, France scrum-half Pauline Bourdon Sansus was the star of a dominant second-half performance as she hit a sensational drop-goal before setting up Manae Feleu for a try.

Flanker Seraphine Okemba grabbed Les Bleus ‘ third try, with full-back Bourgeois picking up the all-important bonus-point score.

With the clock in the red, replacement hooker Elis Martin scored Scotland’s only try of a disappointing second period.

Bryan Easson’s side, who finished fourth in last year’s Six Nations, defeated Wales in their opening game.

Scotland next face Italy on 13 April, while France, who are seeking a first Six Nations title since 2018, host Wales on 12 April.

Replacements: Riffonneau, Mwayembe, Joyeux, Zago, Berthoumieu, L Champon, A Champon, Queyroi

Scotland: Rollie, Lloyd, Orr, Thomson, McGhie, Nelson, Brebner-Holden, Young, Skeldon, Clarke, Cunningham, Bonar, Malcolm (capt), McLachlan, Konkel