French Universities were impressive in scoring 10 tries defeating Scottish Universities 57-0 in Toulouse at Blagnac Sporting Club Rugby.

The Scots were always going to have their work cut out, playing as they were against an older French team, all of whom are contracted to professional clubs.

However, in front of a 3000-strong partisan crowd, brass bands and a couple of French pipers created an atmosphere all the Scottish students will remember for many years.

The pattern of the match was established in the first four minutes, French Universities recycling and retaining slick possession with physical forward play combining with direct backline running at pace, sucking in the Scots.

The damage was inflicted in two twenty minute spells at the start of each half, five tries in each. The electric pace and variance of attack from the French stretched the Scottish defence across the pitch.

Scottish Universities Coach Chris Reekie noted, “The students’ commitment to their defensive duties could not be faulted. It is never easy to play rugby without the ball. The youngsters put in a massive effort with Aberdeen’s Dom Dunnett covering every inch of the pitch.

“Stirling’s Callum Mark made a couple of telling runs on the few occasions we had control of the ball. It was a credit to all the players the score was not higher, the hard work and structure put in over the last three years was evident.

“Yet the gulf in class cannot be disguised, this French side would give any of our Scottish professional development sides a close contest”.

The students will take the lessons learned into the next games against British Colleges on 28th  February and Irish Colleges on 13th March, both at Lasswade.