SCOTLAND UNDER-17  10 - 23  FRANCE  

In the second fixture of their international festival week, Scotland's under-17 side were defeated by a physical French side at Wellington College, Berkshire, this afternoon (Tuesday 6 April).

Although 0-9 down by half time, following a disappointing first 35 minutes, the Scots fought back, playing with increased width and pace to put the opposition under pressure and score an excellent try in the coner, from Will Bordill. The score was converted by Sam Hidalgo Clyne.

They added to the tally with a penalty from the boot of Tommy Allan and, with ten minutes to go, were 9-10 ahead. Against the run of play, however, the French scored by the posts then charged down a kick to cross the line again, both tries successfully converted.

Click here for action images of the game

Said head coach Bryan Easson: "It was a disappointing first half performance then we put on more pace in the second half but lost out through unforced errors.

"It was a very physical encounter against a French side that were bigger up front but we definitely put them under pressure in the second half and were unlucky not to make more scores."

The squad now regroups to face Canada in their final game of the tournament on Friday 9 April (kick-off 11am).

Scotland under-17 v France, Tuesday 6 April 2010 at Wellington College, Berkshire

15. Keith Buchan (Strathallan / Dunfermline)
14. Burns Singh (Ayr / Wellington)
13. Robbie Ferguson (Ayr / Wellington)
12. Chris Auld (Dumfries / Austin Friars School)
11. Rory Hughes (GHA / Glasgow MET College)
10. Sam Hidalgo Clyne (Merchiston Castle School)
9. Scott Steele (Dumfries Academy / Dumfries)

1. Alex Taylor (BATs)
2. Russell Anderson (Langholm Colts)
3. Robby Wilson (Haddington RFC)
4. Adam Ashe (Stirling County)
5. Callum Templeton (Dumfries)
6. Michael Vernell (Alan Glen's / St Aloysius College)
7. Rhys Davies (George Watson's College) (Captain)
8. Will Bordill (Sandbach School / Sandbach)

Substitutes
Mike Diponio (St Josephs College) for Singh
Callum Black (London Irish) (for Anderson)
Tommy Allan (RGS High Wycombe) (for Auld)
James Lightfoot-Brown (Teddington School / Teddington) (for Buchan)
Adam Barnett (GHA / Mearns Castle School) (for Ashe)

Management Team
Jennifer Dailly - Team manager
Bryan Easson - Head coach
Ben Fisher - Assistant coach
Colin Robertson - Assistant coach
Stevie Scott - CPD coach
Derrick Spiers - Strength & conditioning coach
Jon Turvill - Doctor
Julie Morrow - Physiotherapist
Martin Hastie - Video analyst

Scotland under-17 fixture dates 2010
Wellington Festival, Saturday 3 to Friday 9 April
Sunday 4 April Scotland under-17 7 - 5 England
Tuesday 6 April Scotland under-17 10 - 23 France
Match day 3 - Friday 9 April v Canada, kick-off 11am

Getting to Wellington College
The College is situated about 35 miles to the south west of London. Rail links are mainly via Reading but also, indirectly, from Waterloo). It's close to Heathrow and Gatwick airports. It can be reached by road from the M3 or the M4. Click here for an access map