Scotland under-18 fell to a 22-10 defeat to their French hosts, in the opening round of the Rugby Europe competition, tonight in Graulhet.Stand-off Blair Kinghorn kicked Scotland’s only points of the first-half, as the Dark Blues went into the break trailing 10-3.A fantastic try from wing Robbie Nairn – adding to his touchdown in last week’s defeat of Ireland Schools – accompanied by Kinghorn’s conversion, saw Scotland within touching distance of their opponents in the last fifteen minutes of the game, with the score at 15-10 in favour of the hosts.However, with Scotland down to 14 men following a Darcy Graham yellow-card, France added another try and conversion in the 61st minute, which was enough for them to see the game out despite a late push from the visitors.Scotland under-18 Head Coach, Eddie Pollock, said: “Our players did extremely well to stick in against what was a hugely physical and powerful French opposition.”We played some really good rugby at times, scoring a fantastic try, and finishing the game well.”However, we need to to keep the ball in hand, cut out the errors and take the chances when we get them.”At this level, the small margins become defining moments, yet this knowledge comes with experience.”We need to continue to learn and work hard, and build on the positives not only from this Test, but the matches against England and Ireland Schools.”We face Portugal on Tuesday in the next round of the competition, so we can now focus and look forward to that as our next task.”Scotland Under 18’s: Saul Melvin-Farr (Edinburgh Academy/Edinburgh Academicals)*, Darcy Graham (Hawick High School/Hawick Wanderers), Craig Pringle (Loretto School/Melrose)*, Grant Huggan (Hawick Wanderers), Robbie Nairn (George Watson’s College/Currie), Blair Kinghorn (Edinburgh Academy/Edinburgh Academicals)*, Andrew Simmers (Glasgow Academy/Glasgow Hawks)*; Adam Nicol (Queen Anne High School/Dunfermline), Fraser Renwick (Hawick High School/Hawick Wanderers), Fergus Bradbury (Merchiston Castle School), Hamish Bain (George Watson’s College/Currie), Callum Hunter-Hill (Stewart’s Melville)*, Matthew Fagerson (Strathallan School), Michael Dewar (Abingdon School/Wasps) and Bruce Flockhart (Strathallan School/Highland).Replacements:?Jack Solman (Sedbergh School), George Thornton (Moulton College/Market Harborough), Blair Robertson (Kelso Harlequins), Luke Crosbie (Currie), Alexander Craig (Hartpury College/Gloucester), Charlie Shiel (Royal High School/RHC Cougars)*, Gregor Haldane (Stowe School/Northampton Saints), Ross McCann (Royal High School/RHC Cougars)*, Connor Eastgate (Henley/Wasps), Alastair Greig (Stewart’s Melville College/Stewart’s Melville) and Thomas Gordon (Currie).*sportscotland institute of sport supported player 2014/15