Davies makes Test debut for Wales
By Harry Scott-Munro
4/4/21
Exeter Chiefs Women have a new international name within their ranks after Meg Davies made her full Test debut in Wales’ Six Nations Championship encounter with France in Vannes.
The young scrum-half came on in the 58th minute, but it was a real baptism of fire for the 19-year-old as her side were thumped 53-0.
A ruthless performance from the French saw them open up a 21-0 lead after just 15 minutes thanks to a hat-trick from winger Caroline Boujard, before a fourth score from Agathe Sochat, all converted by Pauline Bourdon, helped open up a 31-0 lead at the break.
The Welsh rallied in the second half and grew into the match, beginning to test the French defence and restore parity upfront. Despite a significantly improved second-half showing from the Welsh, the home side were able to score another four tries.
Emeline Gros bagged a double, alongside further scores from Emilie Boulard on her debut and Laure Touye to secure a comfortable victory for Annick Hayraud French side.
Reflecting on the result from his first match in charge, Wales Head Coach Warren Abrahams praised their performance of their French counterparts, but could still see the positives from his own side’s display.
“The French played some pretty incredible stuff, and we congratulate them for that,” he said. “There were some incredible moments for us, but also some lessons to be learned.
“It was a pretty disappointed changing room because none of us want to lose. We didn’t get the go-forward we wanted, but if we can get our consistency right, we can definitely compete at this level.”
Abrahams acknowledged that the result had taught his side “some tough lessons,” but called for patience, as the building blocks continue to be put in place at the start of Wales’ journey under his leadership.
“The most important thing is to keep on believing in our systems and ourselves. We’ve got time on our side, we will keep building, stay patient and we will get it right.”