Findlay’s side scored their first points of the RBS 6 Nations tournament against Ireland after failing to get on the scoresheet in their first two fixtures, but after Lisa Ritchie’s penalty gave the Scots a 3-0 lead it didn’t get any better.

And after heading in at half time just five points behind, Findlay insists the sin-binning of fly-half Tanya Griffith proved the catalyst for the defensive frailties that allowed 22 further points to be scored.   

But even though the 30-3 scoreline didn’t accurately reflect the application of her side,Findlay believes at this level her squad must find a way to produce their best rugby for the full 80 minutes if they want to beat Wales at Scotstoun Stadium on March 10.

“It was probably one of the best first halfs I’ve seen us put together,” said Findlay. “We were really consistent, the team really did well and stuck to the game plan and there were some brilliant individual performances in that first 40 minutes.

“Jade Konkel carried really well for us and was really strong on the ball and made great gains. The back row functioned well, the front five gave them a platform and the line-out was working.

“The turning point categorically came in the 56th minute when Tanya Griffith was sin-binned which took us down to 14 and that was a hard struggle. They scored off a badly executed kick and we conceded a good ten points within that ten minutes and it was always difficult to get back.

“We end up with a score that is 30-3 and I don’t think that is indicative of the amount of effort that was put into the match.

“But I’ve said to the girls to go in at 8-3 and then concede another 22 points in the second half you cannot do that at test-match rugby level and be happy with it.

“That is your try line and you’ve let four tries over it and our defence needs to be a lot stronger and a lot more committed but it is difficult when you are down to 14.

“Wales at home next is a massive game before we travel to France but it has been fantastic coming back to Lasswade with all the support.”