Shaky France clinch Grand Slam

France 12 England 10 FOR SOME it is the journey that matters, for others it is purely about the destination. To dwell on the shaky manner in which France clinched a third Grand Slam in nine years does scant justice, for example, to their stirring deeds en route.

England’s late gallantry, similarly, could not entirely dispel the frustration which has dogged them all season. Had they played like this a little earlier, they would have saved themselves a whole load of hassle.

That was the view of the only victorious Englishman in Paris on Saturday. Dave Ellis, France’s defence coach, wondered why it had taken eight Tests for Martin Johnson’s men to produce such a bravura display.

“I think it’s just a shame they haven’t had a go beforehand,” said Ellis. “They’ve got to bite the bullet a bit and throw a few more young players in because they’ve nothing to lose. It’s no good waiting until the championship is gone.”

It was hard to argue when you considered how close England came to spoiling France’s night. Subtract a late defensive malfunction against Ireland and add the odd point in Edinburgh and Paris and the table would look very different. Ben Foden and Chris Ashton should have started before and, with a rejuvenated Mike Tindall hammering over the gainline and Toby Flood injecting momentum, a new team started to materialise. How Johnson would love another match to underline Ellis’s view that “England aren’t far away from being a good side”.

Instead the management must wait until the trip to Australia and New Zealand in June. While a third-placed Six Nations finish, with six tries in five games, was unspectacular, there are tentative signs of confidence returning, even if Johnson still regards the word “style” with distrust. The crap that has been spoken about style and ambition makes you laugh,” he said. “What did France do today? They won the game. Their style was what they needed to do.”

They did it, in other words, playing eerily like England. Johnson is also entirely right to stress that Test rugby in pouring rain is not about artistic impression. But that is not the real issue: great teams maximise their potential and England have not been doing so partly because of a suspicion of youthful exuberance.

“You guys only see the performance and, at times, some of it hasn’t been good enough,” said Johnson. “But we can see the team off the field and how it’s developed. ‘Are we making progress?’ is the question you always ask. Yes, I think we are but we want to win matches along the way. Hopefully the guys now understand that, if they back themselves, they can do good things. I’ve never doubted we’re capable of it.”

There is certainly little wrong with the defence. France, despite a one-sided first-half penalty count, a dominant scrum and the early departure of Simon Shaw with further shoulder problems, could not pierce Mike Ford’s shield. No one conceded fewer tries than England.

Johnson chose to remonstrate with the referee, Bryce Lawrence, and his assistant, Alain Rolland, unimpressed that Foden’s quick throw to Jonny Wilkinson had been called forward. It was a major call, allowing France to wind down the clock beyond the range of Wilkinson’s boot, their familiar tormentor having landed a remarkable touchline penalty from at least 55 metres.

Flood’s kicking and distribution justified his selection and it was the outhalf who launched the move which saw Ashton release Foden for the only try. The French full-back, Clement Poitrenaud, was being treated on the other side of the field but the slickness was indisputable. France, magnificently served by their rock-hard flankers, Thierry Dusautoir and Julien Bonnaire, caused the odd flutter but the weather and stout English tackling all but stalled their offloading game.

“A few demons came out of the cupboard when it started raining,” said Ellis, recalling an infamous failure against England in Sydney in the 2003 World Cup semi-final.

This time Les Bleus did not dissolve and with the likes of Maxime Medard, Maxime Mermoz, Cedric Heymans, Fulgence Ouedraogo and Sylvain Marconnet also in the mix, they will be a threat in New Zealand next year. And England? “Whether they’ve got enough time to get it right before the World Cup only time will tell,” said Ellis.

MATCH STATISTICS

FRANCE: Poitrenaud, Andreu, Bastareaud, Jauzion, Palisson, Trinh-Duc, Parra, Domingo, Servat, Mas, Nallet, Pierre, Dusautoir, Bonnaire, Harinordoquy. Replacements:Malzieu for Andreu (73), Marty for Bastareaud (51), Poux for Domingo (55), Szarzewski for Servat (53), Chabal for Pierre (59), Lapandry for Harinordoquy (53). Not Used: Yachvili.

ENGLAND: Foden, Cueto, Tindall, Flutey, Ashton, Flood, Care, Payne, Hartley, Cole, Shaw, Deacon, Worsley, Moody, Easter.

Replacements:Tait for Tindall (53), Wilkinson for Flutey (61), Thompson for Hartley (41), Wilson for Cole (41), Palmer for Shaw (15), Haskell for Worsley (64). Not Used: Youngs.

Referee:B Lawrence (New Zealand).