Double Loss For Scotland Women

Scotland and the Scotland development team suffered back to back defeats to France (25-12) and France A (57-0) at Arras today (Sunday). The loss means that Scotland are still without a win in this year’s 6 Nations campaign following last week’s 10-31 home defeat to Wales.An early penalty and unconverted try distanced the French from Scotland but an excellent individual reply from Lucy Millard (Murrayfield Wanderers) – which scrum-half and club team mate, Sarah Gill converted – to bring the Scots back into the match, however a converted try for France in the last play of the half meant the home side went in at the break 15-7 up.  Scotland and the Scotland development team suffered back to back defeats to France (25-12) and France A (57-0) at Arras today (Sunday).The loss means that Scotland are still without a win in this year’s 6 Nations campaign following last week’s 10-31 home defeat to Wales.An early penalty and unconverted try distanced the French from Scotland but an excellent individual reply from Lucy Millard (Murrayfield Wanderers) – which scrum-half and club team mate, Sarah Gill converted – to bring the Scots back into the match, however a converted try for France in the last play of the half meant the home side went in at the break 15-7 up.Scotland started the second half well and a fantastic team try saw Cara D’Silva crash over for an unconverted try to bring the game into reach.As the physicality for the match continued, Dempsey sought to freshen up the squad, bringing on Nikki McLeod and Katy Green for their their Scotland debut along side Keri Holdsworth, Joy Lyth and Ellen Beattie but despite the changes the French stretched their lead with a penalty kick before scoring their fourth try of the afternoon which they kicked to finish the game 25-12.Scotland Women’s coach, Jamie Dempsey, said: “We went toe-to-toe with France today and played a lot of rugby through a number of quality phases.”At times we played some outstanding rugby, our work rate in contact was very good, as was our set piece, we just need to develop our attacking play a little to allow us to capitalise further on the chances we had.” Scotland Women’s next 6 Nations fixture is at home to Italy on Saturday 28 February at Meggetland (kick-off 12noon) – admission to all Scotland A, Women and age-grade matches is free.Scotland women team (sponsor Martin Currie) to face France at Arras on Sunday 15 February (kick-off 3pm)15 Lucy Millard (Murrayfield Wanderers) 14 Cara D’Silva (Royal High Corstorphine) 13 Laura Steven (Murrayfield Wanderers) 12 Erin Kerr (Richmond) 11 Victoria Blakebrough (Richmond)10 Louise Dalgliesh (Royal High Corstorphine) 9 Sarah Gill (Murrayfield Wanderers)1 Heather Lockhart (Hillhead Jordanhill) 2 Sarah-Louise Walker (Watsonians) 3 Beth Dickens (Murrayfield Wanderers) 4 Louise Moffat (Kirkcaldy) 5 Lindsay Wheeler (Team Northumbria) 6 Lynne Reid CAPTAIN (Royal High Corstorphine) 7 Ruth Slaven (Murrayfield Wanderers) 8 Susie Brown (Hillhead / Jordanhill)Replacements16 Nikki McLeod (Edinburgh University) on for Walker17 Ellen Beattie (Murrayfield Wanderers) on for Dickens 18 Joy Lyth (Lismore) on for Moffat19 Keri Holdsworth (Watsonians) on for Dalgliesh 20 Natalya Macholla (Stirling County) 21 Tanya Griffith (Royal High Corstorphine) 22 Katy Green on for Blakebrough Scotland women development team (sponsor Martin Currie) to face France A at Arras on Sunday 15 February (kick-off 1pm).15 Ciara Baxter (Dundee University) 14 Leah Cuthbertson (Watsonians) 13 Annabel Sergeant (Dundee University) 12 Hazel Bielinski (Hillhead Jordanhill) 11 Celia Hawthorn (Edinburgh University)10 Julie Sanaghan (Kirkcaldy) 9 Hayley Legg (Richmond)1 Rosalind Murphy (Edinburgh University) 2 Sarah Quick (Murrayfield Wanderers) 3 Lindsey Smith CAPTAIN (Hillhead Jordanhill) 4 Helen Munro (Richmond) 5 Katie Barker (Dundee University) 6 Joan Hutchison7 Katie Appleby (Lismore) 8 Louise Gray (Henley Hawks)Replacements16 Alison MacDonald (Royal High Corstorphine) 17 Fiona Reardon (Hillhead Jordanhill)18 Heather Law (Murrayfield Wanderers)19 Michelle Ovens (Murrayfield Wanderers)20 Laura Hanson21 Jenny Miller (Murrayfield Wanderers)22 Anna FlemmingAdmission is free to all Scotland’s age-grade, A, and Women’s 6 Nations home matches. No tickets or vouchers are required.SCOTLAND WOMEN 6 NATIONS MATCH SCHEDULE Scotland v Italy, Saturday 28 February, Meggetland, kick-off 12noon Scotland v Ireland, Friday 13 March, Meggetland, kick-off 7.30pm  England v Scotland, Saturday 21 March, Esher RFC SW London, 1.30pm