France seal the Slam
20 Mar 2010
France secured the Grand Slam with a 12-10 victory over England in Paris.
It promised to be one of the great Test matches of the year, particularly since the oft debilitating effects of pressure weren’t a factor. Ireland’s earlier defeat to Scotland meant France were already Six Nations champions coming into the match, and as a result one braced for an open, flowing contest, with caution being a concept banished from the game plan.
However, the match was spoilt by pedantic refereeing from Bryce Lawrence and consistent and at times torrential rain, which affected handling and ensured the attacking ambitions of both sides were undermined.
Given the perilous conditions it was no surprise that conservatism marked play, with neither side wanting to make errors in their territory, and this translated into a plethora of tactical punts and drives up the middle and around the ruck fringe.
The rain ensured that the bludgeon was preferred to the rapier as a means of attack, and some of the defensive hits, as well as the brutal scrap at the shove and breakdown, was in itself beautiful.
François Trinh-Duc kick-started the scoreboard by landing a drop goal, but England struck the first decisive blow, driving up powerfully through the phases before shovelling the ball wide to Ben Foden to score. Toby Flood added the extras.
That’s as much as England saw of the ball for the first half, as France settled into their groove, and didn’t allow their visitors to do so thanks to some granitic defence that compromised their visitors’ ability to recycle quickly. Furthermore, Les Tricolores progressively began to assert their superiority at scrum time, resulting in England conceding a number of penalties in that facet of play.
Morgan Parra had missed his first attempt at goal, but was clinical in capitalising on England’s ruck and scrum ill-discipline thereafter – his three penalties taking France down the tunnel 12-7 ahead. What followed was a clash of desperation and pragmatism, the latter ultimately emerging victorious.
As they had in the opening quarter, England started brightly, controlling the ball through numerous phases and managing to get some speed on their recycle, which troubled France. However, they failed to convert their possession and territory into points until Jonny Wilkinson, on as a substitute to change England’s fortunes, kicked a gem from the touchline to reduce the deficit to two points with 13 minutes to go.
However, France, sensing England’s urgency switched on and began to slow proceeding to a stroll, setting up phases after phase in their quest to run down the clock. The tactic succeeded and France held on to register a famous victory.
By Ryan Vrede
105 Comments
20 Mar 2010, 21:15 pm
Come on England Dragons….
20 Mar 2010, 21:17 pm
Blimey, I have not got a dragon for ages…
England, please ‘Your head may be bloody, but unbowed…be The Captain of your souls’
Give the Frogs Hell….COME ON ENGLAND…
20 Mar 2010, 21:30 pm
@carol: Sounds like your voice is cracking with desperation, carol.
20 Mar 2010, 21:33 pm
@carol: congrats on the DRAGON…but tonight i’m shouting for the FROGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
20 Mar 2010, 21:51 pm
For once I’m supporting England. Those French ******** need to be taken down a peg or two after the farce at Toulouse.
20 Mar 2010, 21:52 pm
God the English are arrogant when they score.
20 Mar 2010, 21:53 pm
try time baby!
20 Mar 2010, 21:57 pm
C,mon England, it is time to bury these overrated prima donnas once and for all.
20 Mar 2010, 22:16 pm
Cmon France, keep BH in misery
20 Mar 2010, 22:20 pm
England play better than before
The ref is the same Kiwi who gave the Boks the 1st Lions Test on a plate, the Poms have my sympathy
20 Mar 2010, 22:39 pm
@Hondo:
True, the French is getting away with murder around the fringes.
Since Shaw went off, England is struggling in the tight exchanges.
I am afraid it is going to become a long second half for them.
20 Mar 2010, 22:42 pm
@Big Hit: Do you have the link for this game?
20 Mar 2010, 22:47 pm
I’m watching the game live on ESPN. The Pommie commentators must be on “P”. There’re getting their rocks off watching fat bloated guys in white rolling around on the grass.I’d rather be on death row than endure another 40 minutes of this ****.
20 Mar 2010, 22:47 pm
@Robzim:
The Ref is an admirer of McCaw,,, everything goes
20 Mar 2010, 23:09 pm
Dammit, England is throwing it away with the bad handling at the last moment.
20 Mar 2010, 23:10 pm
The French are only defending and hanging in for dear life in the second half.
20 Mar 2010, 23:12 pm
@poppa69: A kiwi supporting France?!!
20 Mar 2010, 23:17 pm
Go Johny, massive kick from the touchline!
20 Mar 2010, 23:19 pm
C. mon mr ref, just take the gold watch from the frogs flipping cheat.
20 Mar 2010, 23:31 pm
Brian Moore crying like a girl England are the better team “gulp”
20 Mar 2010, 23:31 pm
useless kiwi ref
20 Mar 2010, 23:33 pm
the co-commentator is a irritating bigot.Bloody anal complaining voice entire game ruined it 4 me.
Good on France.F*ck England,they are poor period.talk about prehistoric tactics and only Ben Foden/James Haskell only real talents.rest old and dogsh*t
20 Mar 2010, 23:35 pm
It’s all over
England had their chances, the two rookies Foden and Ashton didn’t pass to the man at thier shoulder, but the Pom did well against a strong French side.
The Boks lost to the same Frogs side 4 months ago
20 Mar 2010, 23:35 pm
CONGRATS FRANCE
20 Mar 2010, 23:35 pm
OK, grand slam for France, probably well deserved over the whole tournament but today they were not good, they made no play and at times seem to be nearly “choking”
The experience will not do their wc chances any harm though. – they are probably the favourites to win it at this stage.
20 Mar 2010, 23:37 pm
@Robzim:
19
I believe Craig Joubert has one this season already lol
20 Mar 2010, 23:43 pm
Viva la France !!!
Merci vous avez appliqué le finnally Neel mort de ce côté-Angleterre très pauvres. Comme d’habitude, ils prétendront positive du match, mais honnêtement, ils sont ****.
After the Scotland game, this is what MJ had to say…..
Commenting on his selection, Johnson said ‘There were plenty of positives to take away from Murrayfield and we’ve watched the tape and found the best way forward.
‘We’ve been very pleased with the game-plan and we’re clearly progressing in a direction which is best for England rugby.
That’s right Martin, backwards
Listen out for the next MJ speak of the week.
20 Mar 2010, 23:44 pm
From an english perspective i have no problem with the french winning the grand slam they played by far the most attractive and best rugby of the tournament.
Hard to know where we go from here another dissapointing six nations the 7th in a row!! The one amazing fact is that we finally out scored a team in the try stakes are we a new team of flair haha
20 Mar 2010, 23:46 pm
Hondo – The AB’s literally destroyed them. So I guess this puts it all into perspective.
20 Mar 2010, 23:48 pm
England are rubbish,only work on disruption and rain helped them.the likes of:
Hartley
Thompson
Wilson
Payne
Borthwick
Shaw-37/38 yrs old…cmon guys
Easter
Moody
Worsley-what does he do??ala Reuben Thorne
These forward just roll around,no dynamism at all plus conditioning highly suspect-almost all carrying excess weight.
Wilko
Tindall
Banahan-rubbish
Flutey-2nd rate Canes player
Etc how does one expect to progress with above???
Haskell
Foden
Strettle
Above only bright lights
20 Mar 2010, 23:51 pm
@west: if it hadn’t rained, we’d have run away with that imo. France ironically were better in the tight and kicking game.
20 Mar 2010, 23:52 pm
@mshiniwami: contain yourself man.
20 Mar 2010, 23:59 pm
@Big Hit: Do you think we should hang on with MJ, we just dont seem to be getting anywhere one good performance is normally followed by 3-4 shockers.
Maybe a fresh outlook , I hate to say it a southern hemp coach
21 Mar 2010, 00:00 am
BH
Contain ur commentators and supporters from speaking nonsense.That Moore fellow was bleating the whole game like a b*tch
And look at the team BH…cmon bud
21 Mar 2010, 00:01 am
Horiman
I would have gone with execrable rather than **** …
And it’s equipe rather than cote unless you are talking beef..
21 Mar 2010, 00:05 am
@west: we have a SH coach, Brian Smith. I think a new forwards coach would be the way forward but I forsee no changes being made now.
@mshiniwami: Moore was an idiot agreed, embarrassing. Hopefully someone at the BBC will have a word with him because he’s doing too regularly. The ref wasn’t great but he was nowhere near as bad as Moore was saying. The team did all right tonight, still big Sheridan to return, he would’ve been useful.
21 Mar 2010, 00:09 am
@Big Hit: I think Brian Moore has never got over his hatred of the french, he was the king of baiting them in the late 80s early 90s, its like he is still out there when he is in the box. Should put him, phil Kearnes and murray mexted togeather they would set a new record for complaints.
21 Mar 2010, 00:15 am
@west: yeah he was pumped up tonight, apparently he bellowed out the anthem in the box before kick-off
Ah well, at least we were better tonight, still need change of some sort however, near misses every so often aren’t enough. Anyway, good evening all. I’m outtie.
21 Mar 2010, 00:20 am
So near and yet so far….
21 Mar 2010, 01:07 am
@carol: welcome to the world of the Sharks
21 Mar 2010, 07:31 am
bok selectors must get it right ….france at newlands june 12 as Grand Slam Champions will want to nail the boks as current WC Champs.
Dont mess this one up with poor selections PDV.
21 Mar 2010, 07:51 am
@Big Hit: @31
Lord Barry, there appears to have been a typo.
did you not mean “from” instead of “with” ?
21 Mar 2010, 08:16 am
@Black Panther: it looks like the Frogs are going to ‘choke’ the host nation in the group stages and take the high road in the RWC … be afraid.
21 Mar 2010, 08:17 am
@grant10: he fancies Rose as a fullback.
21 Mar 2010, 08:29 am
@RedLion: I hope not. Some great younsters coming through. Joe from Stormers and PAT LAMBIE. Watch Lambie this year. Going to be a great.
I would get Frans Steyn though back for the World Cup.
Lambie was OUTSTANDING yesterday under the high ball. Only 19 years old. What a talent.
21 Mar 2010, 08:40 am
@RedLion:
a few kiwis i been speaking to think that might be the better half of the draw anyway. aussie in semi at eden park rather than SA. Aussie has a terrible record there, but ABs never play boks at Eden Park so unknown quantity.
they are perhaps suggesting that losing to the french in pool is the easier option….
of course aussie actually need to make the semis.
21 Mar 2010, 08:59 am
@munkiboi: Well…so do the AB’s! Make the semi’s, that is!
21 Mar 2010, 09:11 am
@Puma: Lambie is a good talent, he shoild be playing 10 ahead of the Poms though. Viljoen, Lionel Cronje, Zane all better than Rose at fullback … but PDV and Rose’s dad are buddies … all Bok supporters could feel my pain of having Rose in the 15 jersey.
p.s. Rose missed 7 tackles yesterday and only made 1.
21 Mar 2010, 09:26 am
@RedLion: Lambie was superb yesterday in his debut. He plays FB and inside centre, but yes he would be great at FH too. Goode is going back after the away tour. He was just temporary.
Remember there is still Ludik too (for Boks I am talking about here) needs to recover from that op proper though.
For the wc as it is only next year. I would look no further than Frans Steyn. Even if he is playing overseas PdV would be crazy not to select him.
Rose is just not up to it not at all. Sorry to say that he is not. I know PdV and Rose’s dad are mates, hope that is not the reason he will select him.
I think PdV will go with Zane. Zane not bad but really not in the same class as Frans Steyn, Joe Peterson, or even young Lambie or for that matter Ludik.
21 Mar 2010, 09:35 am
@Puma: congrats on your teams win Puma, I tipped them as well..
21 Mar 2010, 09:40 am
bonus points going to cost stormers….played so well but hell those cheetahs defended manfully.
21 Mar 2010, 09:41 am
@grant10: really? I didn’t think we were all that good
21 Mar 2010, 09:43 am
@poppa69: Thanks my friend, Felt good to see my Sharks finally get a win. Too good a team to be losing so much. Then that how it goes.
I was trying to say congrats to you for your teams win on Friday, but the comments on that thread closed straight after the game. So just said it on RT to you. Hoping you read it somehow. So congrats to the Blues. I had them down for a win on bru too.
How you doing Poppa? Hope well. You doing night shift mate?
Just taking it easy this morning. Getting a bit overcast here. Going out later.
21 Mar 2010, 09:46 am
@SpringbokSarah: our phase play was unreal….the recycling the best i have seen ever from stormers….but we just couldnt crack the defence often enough.
Stormers are scrumming well…lineouts a real strength and defence is still fantastic. Just need to be a bit more exact with the final passes…became a bit frenetic at tomes.
21 Mar 2010, 09:50 am
@grant10: Grant, Congrats to Stormers. They playing well. Especially Burger, jeepers he is playing brilliant, brilliant rugby. Reminds me of the Burger of old. He was my best S14 rugby for this past weekend. (Choosing from the saffa sides) Then the Best New Comer has to be Pat Lambie. What you think of our youngster? He was outstanding on his debut and so brilliant under the high ball. Going to be a great. I also like (tiny Aplon..haha) cause he is but a huge, huge player Aplon. So crafty can slip through all the denfence. He is superb. Enjoy watching him play.
Stormers will get a bonus against the Force. They have a bye this weekend and that is in their favour. They will make the semi, have no doubt.
21 Mar 2010, 09:50 am
@Puma: Im good mate,went with the blues too… so was quite surprised… Im working tomorrow mate…
tough game for your team this week..
congrats France, best team won the tourney..
21 Mar 2010, 09:51 am
@Puma: meant = S14 rugby player.
21 Mar 2010, 09:54 am
@grant10: I don’t know, something wasn’t right this week, or maybe it’s just me not used to Willem’s game anymore
21 Mar 2010, 09:56 am
@poppa69: Canes are going to be very, very hard to beat. Then they will have to travel and had a really hard game against the Bulls. So hoping that is in our favour as we are in NZ already. Canes though will be hurting after 3 losses and will come at us for sure. They are a good side and I for one never take the kiwi sides for granted. They all have a never say die atitude and just keep coming back. So will have to see.
For now just pleased we got a win……hahaha.
So you this is your night off? Good enjoy it mate. I think you work too hard…….hahaha.
Yip, France deserved the win they have played the better rugby through out the 6′s nations. Never watched that game though.
I did watch the Ireland/Scotland game. Only the 2nd half. Was very surprised to see Scotland win.
21 Mar 2010, 09:57 am
@RedLion: @43
South Africa vs France
Played 7
Won 1 (at home).
Thats not choking, thats dead and buried.
21 Mar 2010, 09:57 am
@Puma: let’s not talk to soon… you know Stormers hype and all that
21 Mar 2010, 09:57 am
@Puma: 55
Hi Puma
Great to see the sharks bounce back…Lambie superb, and its about time sharks got a bit of the rub of the green after some dicy calls against them. Smit played well at loosehead, if he had to be moved from 2 that was the way to go, far easier than a move to 3….
Bissy also played well….made a vital turnover steal to keep sharks alive….solid and i am thrilled for them and the sharks fans who have endured a load of pain.
Schalk really has been in awesome form last 2 games, really looks happy and playing like the schalk of 2004 and 2005…..Long may it last!
Aplon is a great example of proof that you dont need to be a 100 kg giant to play this great game.
Good that stormers got the bye next week….let a few of the niggles get treated and i look forward to the tour games….
1 game at a time….stormers must not get ahead of themselves…
Sharks will hopefully get on a roll now, far too much talent to stay in a rut.
Great for sa rugby that they have bounced back.
21 Mar 2010, 10:05 am
@Puma: will be a close game I think, Canes will be smarting after a disastrous tour…
Stormers going well Grant, good for the boks…
21 Mar 2010, 10:10 am
@poppa69: Canes are gonna be mad… who’s the poor team to play them next?
21 Mar 2010, 10:12 am
@SpringbokSarah: the Sharks, so should be a good game..
21 Mar 2010, 10:13 am
@grant10: Yes Grant, Sharks have had some bad calls in the games we have played. Cost us a win in some games, but that is how it goes. We are too good a team to be sitting where we are, but we are there now so have to take it on the chin. Hope we can win a few more. Really going to enjoy watching Lambie play. I like Mvovo too. I know you don’t think he is fast, but think about the CC last year? He was playing really well and he is much faster than you think. He needs game time. Time to play all these players now. Nothing to lose. Also when we get home would like to see Zuks get a chance too.
Bissy was not good with the throwing in. Missed far too many. I sometimes just shut my eyes when he throws in. I would have John taking the throwing in. He does that far, far better. John was superb at Loosehead and he played with a rolled ankle from the week before. Take my hat off to the man, he will play or do anything for the team. You need people like that in your team that will die for the jersey.
Burger is just playing outstanding. Really when I watch him..hehe He looks frightening when coming into the tackle. Damn he would scare me to death……….hahaha. Very pleased to see a great player like that playing such outstanding rugby again. Bekker too also top of his game so is J. Fourie. Stormers are looking good.
Stormers doing well and I wish them all the best for their away tour. They should do well.
21 Mar 2010, 10:14 am
@poppa69: when?
21 Mar 2010, 10:18 am
@SpringbokSarah: this coming weekend in NZ
21 Mar 2010, 10:20 am
@poppa69: Poppa, Canes are a far, far better team than what they put on here in SA. On home soil they going to be a different kettle of fish. Sharks are going to be in a huge battle even if Canes have traveled. That is why I said hoping that is in our favour, cause Canes are a team I think that could still make the semi.
Going to be tough for any team to beat the Blues at home. Stormers and Bulls will have their hands full even if both our top teams are playing superb at the moment.
Blues and Chiefs at home are tough to beat. Any kiwi team for that matter, at home are tough to beat actually.
21 Mar 2010, 10:22 am
@poppa69: no man, Friday/ Saturday? and time?
21 Mar 2010, 10:25 am
@Puma: just proves any team on their day can win, its great I think…not sold on my blues yet, some consistency and then maybe
@SpringbokSarah: I dont know to be honest
21 Mar 2010, 10:28 am
@poppa69: lol ok, I’ll check on Super Sport
21 Mar 2010, 10:30 am
@poppa69: Ranger had a great game. So talented that youngster. I would have him in the Sharks team in a flash
Sharks/Canes game Sat 8.35am sa time.
21 Mar 2010, 10:35 am
@Puma: 66
Smit was very impressive at loosehead…perhaps something for the boks to ponder?
The first 2 tests of this season, Wals and France, will be fascinating selections…and will go some way to indicate where PDV head is….
I read in weekend argus yesterday that PDV is going to select Beast…smit and BJ as his front row….will be interesting.The wales game with all the Euro boks as well…fascinating to see what will happen.
France scrum yesterday was impressive. We must guard against losing to them again….we have a disastroous record against them. The Grand Slam winners vs the W Champions at newlands ,June 12th….i am there!
21 Mar 2010, 10:35 am
@poppa69: Saturday, coverage starts at 8
21 Mar 2010, 10:38 am
@grant10: no more shifting players, it’s helluva annoying
21 Mar 2010, 10:40 am
@grant10: Grant not sure why the heck we going to play that game against Wales? Think it is all about money. It will come straight after the S14 final. Crazy. Just say Stormers and Bulls get the final. Those players are going to be far too tired to just jet off the next week to play.
I think PdV will select not his best side to play Wales and take youngsters and test them out. He realy can not take the S14 Boks if they make the Final. Those players will be far, far too tired. Their bodies need a rest before we take on France.
Yip, hope we can beat France on home soil. Selection is key. IN all positions. Hope PdV selects well.
21 Mar 2010, 10:41 am
@Puma: meant – really.
21 Mar 2010, 10:43 am
@SpringbokSarah: 76
I am so with you on that!!
However….if Smit needs to play….rathet at 1 than 3….
3 is not negotiable….imo.
21 Mar 2010, 10:44 am
Did anyone see how Martin Johnson was having a go at the ref next to the field after the match
If there is any justice then he should be fined but the NH muppets look after their own
21 Mar 2010, 10:45 am
@Puma: 77 I read that PDV will only use a maximum of 10 out the 22 players from SA….so thats 12 Euro boks minimum.
Also that he wont choose any players out of the SA Franchises that make even semis of the super 14…..
So…if bulls and stormers do make it to semis…..will be helleva interesting.
In a way it serves as a kind of euro bok trial….fascinating.
But for sure…its about the money.
21 Mar 2010, 10:50 am
@grant10: Well then that would be fine. Rest the players that make the semi. Play some from here and from overseas. That would be very interesting. Give them all a go. See what we have in other players. I like that.
Yes, it is all about money. Not good that but if we get to test out a different team then it will be fine. Especially some that are playing overseas. Like FRANS STEYN……hahahaha. Just want him back here for the wc. So maybe PdV will keep a eye on him for that. Hoping. BJ will get a chance and so will JdV then.
21 Mar 2010, 10:52 am
@grant10: if he can’t make the staring line up at 2, bench him and pick another captain. You’re ******** up his career by shifting him
21 Mar 2010, 10:53 am
PDV has stated that a fullback has to be better than Frans Steyn to be selected otherwise Frans remains the number 1 player
21 Mar 2010, 10:53 am
frans Steyn….the biggest loss to SA Rugby ever.
I still get pi seed off thinking about it.
Till later…
outta here.
21 Mar 2010, 10:54 am
@grant10: Thus, several Sharks will get a run, a few Cheetahs and the odd Lion with a heavy sprinkle of UK and Europe based players! Might be some interesting selections!
21 Mar 2010, 10:54 am
@SpringbokSarah: 83
LOL
You preaching to the converted…
cheers now
21 Mar 2010, 10:54 am
@SpringbokSarah: well you know the last part of his career anyways
21 Mar 2010, 10:56 am
@grant10: He is the greatest loss. Wish we could buy him out of that contract.
Cheers Grant.
21 Mar 2010, 10:56 am
@grant10: bye Grant
21 Mar 2010, 10:57 am
@JL1: I hope that is the case.
21 Mar 2010, 10:58 am
@Puma: he will come back
21 Mar 2010, 10:59 am
Which overseas players will he pick
CJ
BJ
JdV
Frans Steyn
Niel de Kock
Shaun Sowerby
Joe van Niekerk
21 Mar 2010, 11:00 am
@JL1: Juandre Kruger maybe? Esp as he is coming back to SA
21 Mar 2010, 11:02 am
@JL1: Or, as Bath is not that far from Cardiff (!), Michael Claasens, Butch & Luke What’s his face
21 Mar 2010, 11:03 am
@SpringbokSarah: Hope so Sarah, We need Fransie for the WC.
Okay out of here. Cheers all. Good to catch up again.
21 Mar 2010, 11:05 am
@JL1: But Jean’s coming home anyway
Joe and Niel?
21 Mar 2010, 11:06 am
Scar
Yes maybe that Luke what’s his face will not feel nauseaus and don the Speingbok jersey
Butch and Claasen will be in for sure
21 Mar 2010, 11:08 am
Blogging of a phone so excuse the typos
21 Mar 2010, 11:08 am
@JL1: I am sure the drug treatment at Bath can be a nausea remedy!
21 Mar 2010, 11:10 am
Scar
Hahaha Pedrie would have loved playing in that culture
Sarah did you go to the games yesterday
21 Mar 2010, 11:16 am
@JL1: I am sure he and Joost have the shirt!
Out of here, Cheers!
21 Mar 2010, 11:27 am
@Puma: we’ll keep our fingers crossed
@JL1: why’d you have to bring him up?
@JL1: went to the Stormers game… had an amazing time, you?
21 Mar 2010, 13:30 pm
I love Pom souffle.
But Im desperate for “padda pootjies” on the braai
21 Mar 2010, 17:57 pm
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