Bryan Easson heaped praise on his ‘outstanding’ Scotland side after they launched an incredible Scotstoun comeback to draw 13-13 with 2018 Grand Slam champions France.
Heading into their third clash of the disrupted Women’s Six Nations campaign with two defeats from two, it appeared a tall order from the outset to get anything from a clash with Les Bleues, who needed a win to keep their Championship hopes alive.
Safi N’Diaye’s early score helped France to a slender 8-3 half-time advantage, and hooker Agathe Sochat’s try in the second period looked to have presented an uphill battle too steep for Scotland.
But the hosts refused to lie down, with Helen Nelson’s boot reducing the arrears before Rachel Shankland struck with a debut try in the corner to seal a dramatic late draw.
Many thanks to everyone who has taken time to support and give encouragement to this team. The support we get from you is so appreciated by all. #AsOne https://t.co/nr2Ra2szVs
— Bryan Easson (@BryanEasson1) October 26, 2020
With Women’s Six Nations games remaining against Wales on Super Sunday and Italy in December to come, Easson is confident Scotland can gather further momentum after his resilient side avoided defeat to France for the first time in ten years.
“I’m extremely proud of the team,” said interim head coach Easson, who took over from Philip Doyle in the summer after he was required to shield on medial grounds amid the Covid-19 pandemic.
“I thought they were outstanding and the work-rate and the pressure they put France under was excellent.
“France made a lot of mistakes, and though there will be people saying that France didn’t perform particularly well, we didn’t allow them to perform particularly well.
“At 8-3 down at half-time we weren’t worried at all, we were putting France under pressure with some excellent ball carries.
“Our patience showed in the second half, and it was an outstanding try at the end from Rachel Shankland.”