Johnson proud despite defeat

Johnson praised his side's positive performance

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France 12-10 England
France completed their Six Nations Grand Slam with a hard fought 12-10 victory over a determined England side at the Stade de France.

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Sunday, 21, Mar 2010 09:25

England coach Martin Johnson remained upbeat after his side's positive performance in the 12-10 loss to France at the Stade de France.

The home side may have written all the headlines by completing the Grand Slam but it didn't come easy for them as England pushed them all the way and could have come away from Paris with the win.

And Johnson was full of praise for his side for playing the kind of rugby that had been absent from their first four fixtures, bringing them much all-round criticism.

Johnson said: "A lot of players came of age today [Saturday]. It was Danny Care's best performance for England, Toby Flood as well in the way he managed the game and managed the week after coming in for Jonny Wilkinson.

"It was great to have Mike Tindall back. Ben Foden's counter-attacking, his play under the high ball was great. Mark Cueto was outstanding again and Ashton handled it very well.

"They won the kicking game in the first half and their set piece got us under pressure. We did well still to be in the game at half-time with the penalty count against us.

"In the second half we were tactically better and the majority of the game was played in their half."

Despite arguably his side's worst performance of the campaign, France coach Marc Lievremont was proud of his side's achievement.

Lievremont said: "For the first time we have reached the end of a series or a tournament and I can be satisfied. We have a Grand Slam to celebrate.

"I am very proud of this team for the bravery they showed in the 80 minutes. It is five victories and a Grand Slam but we have to pay tribute to the England team. It was very difficult and they played their best against us.

"We owe a lot to our forwards tonight and I am happy for the forwards that Nicolas Mas was named man of the match. No scrum, no win."

Tom Powell