Scotland player ratings v France | 2026 Guinness Women's Six Nations

France made sure that the Round 5 with England next Sunday in Bordeaux will be a Guinness Women’s Six Nations title decider as they swept aside Scotland 69-28 at Hive Stadium.

This was better from Scotland than what we had seen in the recent defeats to England and Italy. Sione Fukofuka’s team even led 7-5 at one point and grabbed a try-scoring bonus point late on.

However, France’s pace and power was just too much and by half-time they were 31-14 up and had the bonus point in the bag and the win all but in the bag.

France scored five tries in that half and six more came in the second 40 minute as they cranked things up and made it four wins from four and 20 points from a possible 20.

Here is how Scotland’s players rated:

15. Chloe Rollie – 6

Had a couple of runs in the first half and she likes ball in hand, but more often than not had to revert to kicking from the back field such was the French pressure. She did show her twinkle toes in the 54th minute in France’s half, but the defence caught up with her and got her down.

14. Rhona Lloyd – 6

Had a good run in her own half in the 10th minute to show how dangerous she can be with ball in hand. Like most of her team mates it was mainly defensive duties in that first period. In the second half her team were mainly going backwards, but she did have one good run and grubber.

13. Rachel Philipps – 8

Ran a lovely line in the 16th minute to power over for her first international try. She then took a lovely pass from Helen Nelson to go over for her second try and she certainly brought the directness in the midfield that the coaching team were looking for. She should now be certain to start against Ireland in Round 5.

12. Meryl Smith – 6

She is Scotland’s best playmaker on her day and she managed to get her hands on the ball here more than she did in the recent defeats to England and France. Some really nice touches when those chances arose. Scotland’s new attacking strategy is still a work in progress.

11. Francesca McGhie – 6

Most of France’s attacking in the first half was coming down her side and there was little she could do about that, but she did have a couple of good runs with ball in hand. Defensively she could have done with a bit more help out there, but got another 59 minutes under her belt after a long-term shoulder issue.

10. Helen Nelson – 6

Kicked all four conversions and had some neat touches on the day. Her link up with Leia Brebner-Holden inside her and Meryl Smith outside her was better than in recent games, but Scotland still need to be a bit more incisive in attack.

9. Leia Brebner-Holden – 7

A neat 50:22 kick from the base of a ruck set Scotland on the way to their first try and she was back playing with the pace that we are used to seeing from her when she got time on the ball. Given the lack of caps behind her at scrum-half she is a key player right now.

1. Leah Bartlett – 6

The Scotland scrum had quite a tough time of things in the 55 minutes that she was on the pitch, but she is an experienced campaigner and she stuck to her task. With Anne Young injured and current back up loosehead prop Demi Swann low on caps she is an important player.

2. Elis Martin – 6

The lineout got off to a shaky start and four out of the first eight on Scotland’s throw were lost, but she started to carry harder and got more involved in the loose and she showed her worth there before going off.

3. Elliann Clarke – 6

Like her starting front-row mates, she had quite a tricky time in the set piece, but she carried hard too and is now Scotland’s first choice tighthead prop.

4. Emma Wassell – 7

Made vice-captain for the day and the experienced campaigner took on that role really well. When heads went down at times she was the one rallying the troops, especially in the pack, and she tackled herself to a standstill.

5. Louise McMillan – 7

Made a good turnover steal in the 12th minute which set up Scotland’s best attack up to that point in the game. This was her first start in a Scotland shirt since late 2024 and, in her 52 minutes on the pitch, made 13 tackles and put her body on the line. With so many injuries in the wider squad the experience is key just now.

6. Holland Bogan – 6

Was chipped by Carla Arbez when the France stand-off scored her side’s second try, but there was not so much she could do about that. The Scotland coaching staff has says she is a player who can cause chaos and while this was not the day for that she is certainly one for the future.

7. Eva Donaldson – 7

Did not deal with the opening kick-off which led to France scoring the first try after 50 seconds of the game via captain Manae Feleu. She recovered from that moment to really step up to the mark when required. She carried well and tackled hard and we saw some of her pre-tournament Sale Sharks form here.

8. Becky Boyd – 6

In the 34th minute she took a crash ball and nearly burst over or a try, but the defence held firm. She has not had a lot of minutes with Scotland in her previous caps, but showed herself to be a nuggety performer here.

Replacements

16. Aicha Sutcliffe – 6

Came on in the 64th minute for her debut and hit her first lineout. She then scored a try. A day to remember.

17. Demi Swann – 5

Came on in the 55th minute and the scrum still had issues with France on the charge.

18. Molly Poolman – 5

Came on in the 55th minute and could not score a wonder try like in Italy.

19. Hollie Cunningham – 5

Came on in the 52nd minute and carried hard when afforded the opportunity.

20. Emily Coubrough – 6

Came on in the 52nd minute and bagged her first international try on her third cap.

21. Rhea Clarke – 5

Came on in the 64th minute and brought a bit of zip to the breakdown area.

22. Lucia Scott – 5

Came on in the 64th minute, but didn’t have a lot of opportunities with ball in hand.

23. Shona Campbell – 5

Came on after 59 minutes and had a couple of decent involvements.