Scotland v France | Talking points as France set up Grand Slam decider with England

France have set up an enthralling Guinness Women’s Six Nations Grand Slam decider with England thanks to their 11-try win over Scotland.

François Ratier’s side racked up a 69-28 win over Sione Fukofuka’s team at Edinburgh’s Hive Stadium, with Siobhan Soqeta and Léa Champon each scoring a brace.

It took less than a minute for France to open the scoring as Manae Feleu flew over in the corner to begin the high-scoring contest.

Rachel Philipps did respond with two tries in the opening 40 minutes on her first Scotland start, only for the efforts of Carla Arbez, Soqeta and Champon’s pair to dwarf those of the hosts’ at the halfway stage.

Already the dominance of France was in little doubt, but when the game resumed Pauline Barrat, Soqeta, Alexandra Chambon and Lea Murie underlined their team’s dominance with a flurry of tries.

Even when Scotland did respond with Emily Coubrough and Aicha Sutcliffe tries that secured a bonus point, each of those scores were duly followed by those of Annaelle Deshaye and Ambre Mwayembe.

Here are three talking points from France’s five star performance against Scotland…

France could topple England in Grand Slam decider

There are so many ways in which France’s dominance have handed us the Round 5 we all dreamt of at the start of this Women’s Six Nations.

Under new head coach, François Ratier, Les Bleues have played four and won four. So have England. Next weekend’s clash at the 40,000 capacity Stade Atlantique in Bordeaux is a truly mouthwatering prospect.

The Red Roses have battled through injuries and a heap of unavailable players to put themselves in a position to contend. France have blooded new talent and generally looked unphased by any opponent that they have come up against.

It will be no easy thing to beat England. Of course. The Red Roses have now won 37 matches in a row, stretching all the way back to the delayed 2021 Rugby  World Cup, but have looked a shade off their absolute best. Even in big wins over Scotland, Wales and Italy.

England have shown a soft underbelly too. In their past two matches John Mitchell’s team have conceded and unheard of nine tries. France, meanwhile, have only conceded seven in four matches. An undeniable difference.

So, as we expected, all eyes on Bordeaux. You could not want more.

New caps continue to shine for France

You could have picked plenty of France players to highlight at full-time of this contest. François Ratier’s team are purring their way to the Stade Atlantique next Sunday. It is difficult to not highlight these new crop of France internationals that have made next weekend’s finale possible.

Irish-Fijian second row Siobhan Soqeta got a brace in the contest. The 20-year-old, who was winning her fourth cap in Edinburgh, could not be stopped on her way to the whitewash and looked far more accomplished than her international experience attests to. Rather cruelly Soqeta left the pitch with her arm in a makeshift sling. Hopefully that was more of a precaution than anything else.

Pauline Barrat, who burst onto the scene in Round 1, scored a try that will considered for Try of the Round by the time Monday rolls around. It is clear that the 21-year-old will be a mainstay at full-back for many years to come. The combination of her raw speed, quick feet and rugby IQ makes her a really tricky opponent.

There is a generally more confident and refreshed look to this France team. Teani Feleu looks renewed installed at centre instead of being in the back-row. Carla Arbez is pulling the strings at fly-half superbly and racked up Player of the Match for her 11-point haul.

Philipps could provide point of difference

Rachel Philipps’ first start for Scotland possibly could not have gone better as the 24-year-old scored two first-half tries at Hive Stadium. In the side as Sione Fukofuka’s team after a series of injuries at centre, the physical Sale Sharks and Edinburgh Rugby centre proved, very quickly, that she can add a point of difference to the Scotland midfield.

For the most part Scotland’s backline is comprised of quick, elusive players. None quite fit the mould of the abrasive, tall 24-year-old midfielder. Perhaps the greatest compliment is proving that physicality against a France team that have had relatively few issues on their way to four consecutive wins at this Championship.

It is almost astonishing that Philipps has not been utilised at all by Sale in Premiership Women’s Rugby this season. Instead her rugby this season has come in the Celtic Challenge as Edinburgh failed to break into the knockout rounds.

Ultimately, Scotland will be wildly disappointed with their work at this Women’s Six Nations. Upon the arrival of a new head coach teams want to show what potential is at their fingertips. Instead the Scots have seen injuries decimate their squad.

This will go down as Scotland’s best performance at this Championship so far. Even in their win against Wales in Cardiff the side were unconvincing, with their hosts looking like the winners at full-time as Kate Williams dotted down late on.

Next week they play Ireland at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium against a team hoping to break into the top four of the World Rugby rankings before too long.