France beat Scotland 38-15 in Women’s Six Nations
France maintained their perfect start to the Women’s Six Nations campaign with a 38-15 bonus-point win over Scotland following a strong second-half display in La Rochelle.
An early converted try from Carla Arbez, who finished off a break by number eight Teani Feleu, and two penalties from Morgane Bourgeois saw France take control at Stade Marcel-Deflandre.
But Scotland, who edged out Wales 24-21 in Edinburgh last weekend, got themselves back within striking distance just before the break.
Lisa Thomson capitalised on a French handling error to punt the ball forwards, with Emma Orr giving chase before kicking it on over the line and touching down.
Helen Nelson added the extras to reduce the deficit to 13-7.
Bourgeois kicked another penalty soon after the restart before France, who were 27-15 winners over Ireland in Belfast last time out, further extended their lead through a brilliant drop-goal from scrum-half Pauline Bourdon Sansus.
Nelson slotted over a penalty, but it was only a brief respite as France scored twice in three minutes either side of the hour mark through Feleu and Seraphine Okemba down either flank to lead 31-10.
With 12 minutes left, Bourgeois dived over to secure France a bonus-point try, which she converted.
In added time, Scotland drove across from a rolling maul off a lineout, Elis Martin touching down before Nelson’s conversion effort hit a post.
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