France celebrate their first Six Nations Grand Slam since 2010 after beating England in Paris
(Picture: AP)England came to Paris looking for a result that would salvage their Six Nations, but in the end they were ultimately powerless in stopping France claim a first Grand Slam for 12 years.
As they did against Ireland last week, England showed heart and battled hard, but they couldn’t find a way to halt this France side.
They are worthy winners of the Grand Slam, comfortably the best side in the championship and serious contenders to go all the way at next year’s home World Cup.
Against England they ran in three tries, led by the sensational Antoine Dupont, and if they hadn’t made so many handling errors it could have been more.
Perhaps that was the nerves, after all you had to go all the way back to 2010 to find the last time France won the Grand Slam.
England look a long way off achieving such a feat and a loss here meant they finished this year’s Six Nations having won just two of their five games. That’s the third time that has happened in the last five years.
That will surely be a worry for Eddie Jones, but when he pours over the analysis of this game there will be some appreciation of just how good France are.
He had predicted this match would be a kick-fest and in the early stages he was proved right, as both sides played for territory.
France were finally rewarded when Melvyn Jaminet stroked over a penalty and, as a sign of their confidence, the crowd started doing Mexican waves after just 10 minutes.
The atmosphere went up a notch five minutes later when Gael Fickou went over in the corner.
France were making handling errors, but when they clicked England couldn’t live with their pace and power in attack.
Jones’ side looked like they were on the ropes, however in defence they battled hard and showed more of the grit on display against Ireland last week.
In attack they still looked disjointed, though, and often good moments would be followed up by errors. Freddie Steward caught a high ball, but then Maro Itoje dawdled as he played scrum-half. George Furbank made a slick break, but then England knocked it on.
The heart was there from England, especially from the tireless Ellis Genge, and two Marcus Smith penalties had them trailing 11-6 with just seconds left of the first half.
They thought they would go in just five points behind, but France’s attack clicked again and Francois Cros went over in the corner. Jaminet slotting the conversion from the touchline only added to England’s pain.
England needed to start the second half like a train, and that’s exactly what they did as they came out with fire in their bellies.
A slick move off a lineout saw Joe Marchant break clean through. He was hauled down, but England went wide and Steward scored in the corner.
Smith slotted the conversion from the touchline and, with 30 minutes to go, suddenly it was back to being a five-point game.
England had their tails up and a superb kick-chase from Steward had them in France’s 22 once more. The hosts held firm, though, and their defence was showing why Shaun Edwards is regarded as one of the best coaches in the world.
They weathered that storm and then, as the game ticked into the final 20 minutes, they increased their lead. Gregory Alldritt popped the ball to Dupont and he broke through to score under the posts.
England tried to respond after that and they spent time in France’s 22, but once again they held firm on what was a historic night for Les Bleus.
