Newly-crowned Six Nations Champions France were made to work for their win at the Stade de France, triumphing 12-10 over an English side drastically improved from lacklustre displays against Scotland and Ireland. France took the lead through a Francois Trinh-Duc drop-goal, but Ben Foden gave England the lead with his first ever Test try, which was converted by Toby Flood. However three penalties from Morgan Parra gave France a lead of 12-7 going into the interval. The second half saw England dominate, albeit with little reward; a Jonny Wilkinson penalty being all Martin Johnson's team could muster. However Despite this victory, the French performance was surprisingly lacklustre given the dominance of Marc Lievremont's side throughout the tournament. Meanwhile for England the improvements shown tonight will be scant consolation, given the fact that this year's results have seen Martin Johnson's team accrue a total of 88, 20 less than England's previous lowest-ever points tally of 108. Furthermore many England fans will be disappointed at the fact that, despite drastically improving in the second-half, the team was unable to capitalise, with debutant Chris Ashton wasting a great opportunity to gain a try with Flutey in support, in what was to be a crucial missed opportunity. However the French were able to survive the ‘onslaught’ to regain control and crown their Six Nations victory with a rapturously received Grand Slam, the ninth in French Rugby Union history, and the first since 2004. France Coach Marc Lievremont said of the victory, “"It is a very nice baby even if the birth was quite difficult," adding “For the first time we have reached the end of a series and I can be satisfied.” Lievremont had been criticised by some French supporters for the squad rotations that characterised the early days of his tenure, having taken over in late 2007, but this year’s triumph has more than made up for the disappointing third place achieved 12 months ago. Lievremont also praised the bravery shown by his charges, as well as paying tribute to the England team, stating “I was extremely relieved at the end of match." Meanwhile England captain Lewis Moody was full of compliments for the performance of his team, saying “I'm very proud of the boys, they worked their socks off”, whilst emphasising the disappointment surrounding England’s lacklustre showing in this year’s Six Nations, a sentiment that will unfortunately be shared by many England fans who hoped for more at the outset of the tournament.
Saturday 20 March 2010
Much-improved England nearly spoil French party
Newly-crowned Six Nations Champions France were made to work for their win at the Stade de France, triumphing 12-10 over an English side drastically improved from lacklustre displays against Scotland and Ireland. France took the lead through a Francois Trinh-Duc drop-goal, but Ben Foden gave England the lead with his first ever Test try, which was converted by Toby Flood. However three penalties from Morgan Parra gave France a lead of 12-7 going into the interval. The second half saw England dominate, albeit with little reward; a Jonny Wilkinson penalty being all Martin Johnson's team could muster. However Despite this victory, the French performance was surprisingly lacklustre given the dominance of Marc Lievremont's side throughout the tournament. Meanwhile for England the improvements shown tonight will be scant consolation, given the fact that this year's results have seen Martin Johnson's team accrue a total of 88, 20 less than England's previous lowest-ever points tally of 108. Furthermore many England fans will be disappointed at the fact that, despite drastically improving in the second-half, the team was unable to capitalise, with debutant Chris Ashton wasting a great opportunity to gain a try with Flutey in support, in what was to be a crucial missed opportunity. However the French were able to survive the ‘onslaught’ to regain control and crown their Six Nations victory with a rapturously received Grand Slam, the ninth in French Rugby Union history, and the first since 2004. France Coach Marc Lievremont said of the victory, “"It is a very nice baby even if the birth was quite difficult," adding “For the first time we have reached the end of a series and I can be satisfied.” Lievremont had been criticised by some French supporters for the squad rotations that characterised the early days of his tenure, having taken over in late 2007, but this year’s triumph has more than made up for the disappointing third place achieved 12 months ago. Lievremont also praised the bravery shown by his charges, as well as paying tribute to the England team, stating “I was extremely relieved at the end of match." Meanwhile England captain Lewis Moody was full of compliments for the performance of his team, saying “I'm very proud of the boys, they worked their socks off”, whilst emphasising the disappointment surrounding England’s lacklustre showing in this year’s Six Nations, a sentiment that will unfortunately be shared by many England fans who hoped for more at the outset of the tournament.
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