Top three finish for Scotland Women 7s in Moscow

Scotland placed fourth in the overall championship and with the event doubling as a European Regional qualifying event for Birmingham 2022, the result means that they are eligible to compete in the Commonwealth Games, subject to an invitation from the Commonwealth Games Federation.

Day One

Scotland 24-5 Wales

Scotland found their stride early on in the game with Rhona Lloyd bursting through the defence to score, with Meryl Smith adding the extras.

The side continued to dominate proceedings in the opening-half, as Chloe Rollie picked a brilliant line off the ruck to cruise down the touchline and score.

Wales responded at the beginning of the first half, with Hannah Jones crossing the line, but Scotland were able to quash any potential comeback as Lloyd retaliated with two further tries to seal the win.

Spain 14-29 Scotland

Scotland maintained their form against Spain – who were runners up in the first leg of the tournament in Lisbon – to claim a comprehensive 14-29 win.

It didn’t take long for Scotland to initiate the scoring, as Jenny Maxwell slipped down the touchline to score.

The side edged further out in front following a further try from Emma Orr, with Smith adding the extras.

Scotland came out firing in the second-half, with Maxwell building on the tally with her second try of the day.

Spain launched a rapid counter attack and were soon rewarded for their efforts when Anne Fernandez de Corres Del Rio crossed the whitewash.

Scotland quickly bounced back as Rollie picked a superb line to sidle through the defence to score, with Smith capping it off with a successful conversion.

Lloyd continued her try-scoring form into the final moments of the game, when she scampered over the line to extend Scotland’s lead.

The Scots endured a last gasp attack from Spain, with Eva Aguirre Diez charging over the line to score but it wasn’t enough for Spain as Scotland secured the victory.

Scotland 33-5 Romania

Scotland’s dominance continued into the last game of the day, as the side claimed a comfortable 33-5 victory over Romania.

Megan Gaffney opened the proceedings in the first minute for Scotland as she made a clean break through the Romanian defence to score, with Smith adding the extras.

Buoyed by the bright start, Scotland were soon able to make space for Lloyd to claim her fifth try of the weekend. Smith was successful with the conversion.

As the interval approached, Lloyd accelerated down the touchline, breaking clear of a covering defender to complete her brace.

Emilia Vizitiu grabbed Romania’s first score in the game, but Scotland rallied as Smith raced over the line before converting her own score.

Scotland’s final try of the match was courtesy of Mairi McDonald, with Helen Nelson concluding the game with a successful conversion.

??????? v ??????? | It's a win for @Scotlandteam as Rhona Lloyd runs in the first hat-rick of the tournament ? pic.twitter.com/ZgpRGUE7zN

— Rugby Europe (@rugby_europe) June 25, 2021

Day Two

Scotland 28-0 Portugal

Scotland’s opening match of day two was called off as Portugal forfeited the game due to an inconclusive Covid test result, which subsequently was confirmed as negative following a further test.

Scotland 14-29 Poland

It was a disappointing result for Scotland as they recorded a 14-29 loss against a clinical Poland outfit, who ran in five tries to secure the win.

Poland held a 19-point lead going into the interval, following tries from Malgorzata Koldej and Natalia Pamieta, who scored twice.

Scotland produced a more promising performance at the start of the second-half, with Lloyd sprinting under the posts to score and Smith easing the conversion between the uprights.

Poland, however, were soon able to bring Scotland’s comeback attempts to a halt as Aleksandra Lachowska raced down the wing to score.

A great kick-and-chase from Poland extended their lead in the 13th minute of the game.

Scotland responded with a late try of their own, courtesy of Lloyd with Smith adding the extras.

Russia 22-5 Scotland

In the last match of the day, Scotland were defeated by eventual tournament champions, Russia, in what was a dominate performance from the hosts.

Russia were able to get a strong foothold early in the game, with tries courtesy of Daria Noritsina, Daria Shestakova (scored twice) and Marina Kukina.

Scotland were able to salvage a score through Rhona Lloyd in the last moments of the game to claim third place in the second leg of the competition.