Collie’S Kick Points Way Ahead For Scots

An experienced French outfit got the better of a new-look Scotland Women’s side this evening at Viry-Chatillon, as the women’s RBS 6 Nations championship got underway.The final scoreline of 53-3, however, belied a better second-half performance by the visitors whose points came from the boot of Caroline Collie, making only her second appearance for Scotland, whose penalty from 40m out flew between the posts.Head coach Karen Findlay was philosophical about the performance of her side, which saw debuts from locks Katherine Muir and Charlotte Veal.She said: We let in too many soft tries and our one-on-one tackling just wasn’t good enough. The French back-line’s accuracy in passing was much better and we need to get more clinical in our finishing.  France went ahead 15-0 in the first fifteen minutes, thanks to three unconverted tries before Collie’s penalty put on the points for the Scots. A further trio of scores, two of which were converted, meant the French went into the break 34-3 up.The opening ten minutes of the second period saw the Scots firmly camped in the French half, however they were unable to turn pressure and possession into points as the French grabbed their chances and added three tries and two conversions to their tally.Head coach Karen Findlay was philosophical about the performance of her side, which saw debuts from locks Katherine Muir and Charlotte Veal.She said: We let in too many soft tries and our one-on-one tackling just wasn’t good enough. The French back-line’s accuracy in passing was much better and we need to get more clinical in our finishing.The second half, however, was night and day better and our fitness has definitely improved.There were plenty of positives to take from the game, however, as Findlay praised the efforts of former Arsenal, Chelsea and Scotland footballer, Collie.She said: Caroline had a really good game and that penalty from 40m was really impressive. Lisa Martin (centre) and Katherine Muir also had good games.We’re obviously disappointed with the result but now we need to take the positives, regroup and refocus.Click here to see match action photos Scotland Women v France Women, Friday 4 February at Viry-Chtillon 15 Caroline Collie (OA Saints)14 Victoria Blakebrough (Richmond)?13 Stephanie Johnston (Hillhead / Jordanhill)?12 Lisa Martin (Murrayfield Wanderers)?11 Katy Green (Murrayfield Wanderers)10 Tanya Griffith (RHC Cougars)?9 Louise Dalgliesh (RHC Cougars)1 Heather Lockhart (Hillhead / Jordanhill)?2 Alison MacDonald (RHC Cougars)?3 Tracey Balmer (Worcester)?4 Katherine Muir (RAF)?5 Rosalind Murphy (Edinburgh University)?6 Lindsay Wheeler (Darlington Mowden Sharks)?7 Ruth Slaven (Murrayfield Wanderers)?8 Susie Brown (Richmond) (captain)Substitutes?16 Lindsey Smith (Hillhead / Jordanhill) (on for MacDonald, 60 mins)?17 Beth Dickens (Murrayfield Wanderers) (on for Balmer, 65 mins)?18 Anna Swan (Edinburgh University) (not used)?19 Charlotte Veale (Wasps) (on for Murphy, 65 mins)?20 Annabel Sergeant (Dundee University) (on for Johnston, 45 mins)?21 Lauren Harris (Aberdeenshire Quines) (on for Blakebrough, 60 mins)?22 Nicola Halfpenny (Melrose) (not used)