Lucy Millard scored with seconds left on the clock to snatch a 10-8 victory over France on Saturday evening and ensure Scotland made a winning start to the RBS Women's Six Nations 2010.
Scotland had lost their last three encounters with France, but with the sides to face each other again on 24 August at Women's Rugby World Cup 2010, they will take a great deal of confidence from the upset.
It was France, though, who made the best start to a match played in swirling mist and rain, kicking to the corner and then capitalising when Scotland turned over ball to allow captain Sandra Rabier to score the opening try after only four minutes.
The score remained at 5-0 until half time at Lasswade, despite both sides creating opportunities and France pulling a 38th minute penalty attempt wide of the uprights.
Whatever coach Gary Parker said at half time had the desired effect with centre Millard scorching through the French defence to level the scores at 5-5 after the conversion drifted wide.
Key result for Scotland
Scotland had only managed one win in last year's Six Nations - against Italy - and went behind again just before the hour mark when replacement Christelle Le Duff kicked a penalty for France.
The home side, roared on by a small but vociferous crowd, were not to be denied though with a strong scrum metres from the line providing quick ball to be worked along the line for Millard to drive over the line.
The conversion again drifted wide, but it mattered not with the whistle blowing to give Scotland the perfect start to Women's Rugby World Cup year and a strong foundation to build upon in the Six Nations.
"The team played smart rugby, worked hard in the kicking game and the girls battled throughout," said new coach Gary Parker afterwards. "We shouldn't underestimate how great this result is.
"We haven't been able to play much in the last six weeks (with the weather) but we've showed we can really compete and we can put up a fight. The crowd was brilliant. We're all delighted and now we have to move forward."
Ireland off to winning start
Millard was not the only player to score a try-double on the opening weekend with Ireland number 8 Joy Neville crossing twice in her side's 22-5 defeat of Italy at Ashbourne RFC on Friday.
Ireland led 8-0 at half time thanks to a Niamh Briggs drop goal and Neville try, but they certainly didn't have it all their own way with the Italians pinning them back in their own half for long periods and only resolute defence kept the visitors at bay.
Neville scored her second in the 48th minute with debutant wing Alison Miller also touching down before replacement Silvia Peron grabbed an injury-time consolation try for Italy.
"We are delighted with the win - any win in the Six Nations is always welcome," said Ireland coach Kevin West. "When you are coming in cold, and you haven't played opposition like that, it is always good to get a win, and we are delighted with it.
"We started really well I felt, perhaps once or twice we didn't select the right decision, but that happens. Then when Italy had a period of supremacy in the first half I was delighted with our defence.
"We did show a willingness to move the ball, and that is what we want to do, that is our game plan. So, we are certainly going to try to continue doing that. It will take some time for us to make progress, but we were happy with how we played."
Favourites off to strong start
In the weekend's other match, England signalled their intentions to claim a fifth successive title with an impressive 31-0 defeat of Wales, the side who beaten them last year to deny them a record fourth straight Grand Slam.
England opened the scoring in only the fourth minute with former bobsleigher Heather Fisher grabbing her first international try, forcing her way over the line after a great break from Emily Scarratt.
Some dogged defence kept England at bay until just before the half hour mark when the home side's forwards forced the turnover and the ball was worked out for Kat Merchant to score.
Scarratt crossed for England's third try just before the break to send her side in leading 17-0. The home side continued to dominate in the second half, although it took them until just past the hour mark to add to their tally.
Katy McLean scored her first international try after good work from Fiona Pocock and Scarratt before replacement prop Rochelle Clark marked her return from injury with England's fifth try of the match.
"I'm very satisfied with this win. It's certainly a good way to start the Championship," said England coach Gary Street.
Positives in defeat for Wales
"As always we do all our talking on the pitch and although we were a little rusty because of the winter break, we secured a good win against the second best side in Europe.
"We just had too much power and pace for them and that was a good way to put an end to the gremlins of losing to Wales last season."
His counterpart Jason Lewis was still able to find positives from the defeat in terms of their defensive effort and set pieces, admitting they "were beaten by a better side".
"England are arguably the best side in the world at the moment and our players showed real endeavour, focus and commitment. We were guilty of being a little tactically naïve but the forwards worked well and the performances of the new players were pleasing."
England top the standings from Ireland and Scotland going into the second round of matches, which sees the Irish travel to play France in Blois, Wales host Scotland in Bridgend and England take on Italy in Noceto.
KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR THIS WEEK'S WRWC 2010 COLUMN FROM CANADA WING JULIANNE ZUSSMAN, WHOSE SIDE WILL FACE BOTH FRANCE AND SCOTLAND IN THE POOL STAGES IN AUGUST.
