France 12-10 England
Morgan Parra scored nine of France's 12 points
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By Darren Estwick. |  |
Saturday, 20, Mar 2010 09:03
France completed their Six Nations Grand Slam with a hard fought 12-10 victory over a determined England side at the Stade de France.
Ireland's loss to Scotland earlier in the day had handed France the championship before Marc Lievremont's men finished in style making it five wins out of five.
For all their criticism England were arguably the better side but nine points from the boot of tournament topscorer Morgan Parra and a drop goal from Francois Trinh-Duc were enough to wrap up the win.
Ben Foden's try gave England an early lead before indiscipline kicked in allowing Parra to kick France into a 12-7 half-time lead.
England dominated territory and possession in the second half but could only muster a Jonny Wilkinson penalty as France held on for their second Six Nations Grand Slam.
Wilkinson was left out of the starting XV with Toby Flood preferred at fly-half whilst Northampton pair Foden and Chris Ashton started at full-back and wing respectively.
Mike Tindall came in at centre and Simon Shaw at lock whilst Lewis Moody lead the side in the absence of Steve Borthwick.
France made just one change to the side that saw off Italy last weekend with centre Mathieu Bastareaud in for David Marty.
France were quickly into their stride and took a fourth minute lead. The French forwards set up the platform from which Trinh-Duc sat back in the pocket and squirted over a drop goal.
But the lead lasted a matter of seconds as England recovered the restart before Tindall, Flutey and Ashton moved the ball wide to Foden who went over in the corner.
Flood kicked the extras from wide on the left and England led 7-3 with six minutes gone.
Parra had a chance to reduce France's arrears but was off target with a long range penalty after England were caught offside at the breakdown.
But Parra did eventually bring his side to within one point as he kicked a three-pointer in the 19th minute after Flutey was caught off his feet at the breakdown.
Indiscipline crept into England's game and Parra made them pay as he kicked France 9-7 ahead in the 23rd minute after England collapsed a scrum.
Another scrum and another France penalty as Dan Cole collapsed under pressure for the third time. Parra added three more to the scoreboard and the lead was 12-7 at the break.
Into the second half and England were struggling to break France down. Flood tried his luck with a drop goal but was well off target.
Ashton had a sniff of the France whitewash on 49 minutes but chipped ahead too early and Clement Poitrenaud recovered to avert the danger.
England were again wasteful with another opportunity on the hour mark. Mark Cueto glided through a hole in the French backline and the ball was recycled to Foden who knocked on five metres from the France line.
Wilkinson took to the field soon after and the fly-half slotted a trademark penalty from long range, wide on the right touchline to bring England within two points with thirteen minutes remaining.
The visitors continued to push but France were stubborn in defence and held on for their first Grand Slam in eight years.
Tom Powell