Scots leave it all to do on day two

Having returned from Russia last weekend with the Bowl trophy and three wins from five games – including a first defeat of Ukraine – Scotland Women 7s headed to Brive this weekend for part two of their mission to maintain their place in Europe’s top ten. Unlike last weekend, however, the Scots go into day two with a big challenge ahead of them, after losing all three of their games – against Ireland, England and Germany – today.Head coach Scott Forrest said: “We knew, coming into this weekend, that it was going to be tough but the result against Ireland was very disappointing because we just didn’t front up.”Ireland did exactly as we expected and we almost went into our shells.”The England game was slightly better but being four tries down at half time, we were up against it. We were much improved in the second half, though, and it was encouraging the way we finished – we were playing our game, scored a decent try and that gave us a bit of confidence going into the last game.”Our performance against Germany was very disappointing, however. What we’ve said all along is if we can just focus on our jobs, execute our roles – set piece, first phase attack and defence, everything that’s within our control – if we get that right we look a good team, no matter who we’re playing against. Against Germany we didn’t do that.”We got turned over too much in contact and were a bit naïve on occasions. It was disappointing. We didn’t play like a team and they had a couple of individuals who stood out.v IrelandBy improving their standing from 12th to 9th for this second leg, the competition also upped a level. A clinical Ireland team – they picked up the Plate last weekend – were first up and it was the opposition who scored first, from a pick and go after we were penalized at the breakdown. Ahead 21-0 at half time, the Irish didn’t take their foot off the gas in the next seven minutes and despite a promising break from Dixon and some confident tackling from Parker, the final score was 56-0.v EnglandEngland opened the scoring in game two, pulling out all the stops to go four tries ahead at the break. The Scots came out for the second half with renewed vigour though a break while back row Jade Konkel received attention to a cut lip stalled momentum. With England 32-0 ahead, there were promising breaks from back row Karen Dunbar and scrum half Sarah Law, however it was a mazy run, at pace, from captain Steph Johnston that elicited the first points as she wrong-footed the opposition to cross between the posts, the conversion nailed by Law. It was to be the last action of the game however with the final score 32-7.v GermanyScotland hit their straps for game three, crossing first against Germany as a long pass was scooped up by winger Megan Gaffney who crossed after 5m, the conversion just short. Working upfield at pace at the restart, Scotland were then penalized for taking too long at the lineout, Germany took full advantages and crossed on half time to make it 5-5 at the break.A lapse in communication then saw Germany pick out the gap and touch down. Scores were levelled again when good work between Konkel and Gaffney saw the latter break down the wing to make it 10-all with four minutes to go. With possession, picking and going towards the line, we then lost the ball at the breakdown and against the run of play in the last minute, Germany scooped up the ball and made the yards to score (10-15).Forrest said:”We know where we are and we know what we have to do – we need to win both our games tomorrow to finish in the top 10.”Scotland will play in the Bowl competition tomorrow, alongside Italy, Portugal and Germany, with a semi-final time tbc. Rugby Europe Grand Prix Leg 2 – Brive, France (starting 7s – day 1)1      Jade Konkel                                  Hillhead Jordanhill                                          E2      Karen Dunbar                               RHC Cougars                               I                                   G3      Eilidh Sinclair                               Murrayfield Wanderers                  I                 E                G4      Lisa Ritchie                                   Carlisle5      Megan Gaffney                             Hillhead Jordanhill                        I                 E                G(2T)6      Lisa Martin                                    Murrayfield Wanderers                                   E                G7      Sarah Dixon                                  Stirling County                              I8      Jenny Maxwell                              Leeds Met/Lichfield                       I9      Sarah Law                                      Murrayfield Wanderers                I                 E(1C)        G10    Steph Johnston                            Worcester                                      I                 E(1T)         G11    Fionidi Parker                               Northumbria University                                                      G12    Caitlin Harvey                               Caithness/RHC Cougars                                 E