Grand Slam glory for France

A 12-10 victory ensured France clinched their first Six Nations Grand Slam since 2004, but they were pushed all the way by a much-improved England at the Stade de France.

It was far from a spectacular display by the French all of whose points came in the first half courtesy of three Morgan Parra penalties and a Francois Trinh-Duc drop-goal.

Les Bleus were strangely hesitant for much of the match and were happy to play a game of control for the most part with the boot of Trinh-Duc dictating their tactics.

By contrast England put in easily their most impressive display of the tournament and, as demonstrated by a stunning early try from Ben Foden, showed plenty as an offensive force with some eye-catching running rugby.

But in the end they were left to rue a couple of second-half openings that went begging as France held on to seal their clean sweep.

It was the hosts who were on the board first after Dylan Hartley was blown for not throwing in straight at the line-out just three minutes in.

That handed the French an excellent attacking platform and, after England had also subsequently been pinged at the scrum, France hit the front as Trinh-Duc landed a rather ugly but effective drop-goal.

But England hit back in magnificent style with the kind of incisive, fluent three-quarter move that their critics have been crying out for.

Mike Tindall played a key role in securing territory before the ball was quickly spun through the hands of the back-line from right to left, culminating in Chris Ashton flicking a superb first-time pass to Foden who scampered over in the left corner - Toby Flood adding a wonderful conversion from the touchline.

It capped a hugely encouraging start for England, the visitors full of purpose and adventure, securing quick ball for their back-line and thrusting forward with ball in hand at every opportunity.

However, they were somewhat undermined by the elements, with their positive opening derailed by the onset of heavy rain which turned the contest into an increasingly cagey affair with France kicking for position and managing to turn the screw.

Morgan Parra missed a long-range penalty after Simon Shaw was caught offside, but the Wasps second-rower was quickly penalised again for a rash tackle and it proved the lock's last contribution as he was forced off with an injury to his right arm and replaced by Tom Palmer.

But Parra made the most of his next opportunity with the boot on 18 minutes as Riki Flutely was caught playing the ball at the ruck whilst off his feet, handing the Clermont scrum-half a straightforward penalty chance in front of the sticks which he slotted with ease.

English indiscipline

Parra was at it again five minutes later, France edging back ahead, without having had to work particularly hard to do so, as England were penalised for collapsing a scrum.

Indeed, while the French were some way from their best, they continued to assert themselves on the back of English indiscipline with fastidious referee Bryce Lawrence quick to punish the visiting pack in particular.

Prop Dan Cole was again penalised for collapsing the scrum on 33 minutes, England's fifth infringement at the scrum, and Parra made light of the difficult conditions to fire over the resulting penalty as France pulled 12-7 ahead.

England manager Martin Johnson moved ruthlessly to stem the penalty count at the break as he hauled off both Cole and Hartley and replaced them with the more experienced David Wilson and Steve Thompson.

The changes had the desired effect, England making much the better start to the second period.

They should have had reward for their efforts as they defied the slippery conditions with a sharp handling move on the blind side which released Ashton.

But, with just Clement Poitrenaud ahead of him, and Flutey in support, the Northampton winger spurned the golden opportunity as he opted to put in an early kick ahead and was beaten to the touch-down by the retreating French full-back.

With France happy to try and contain, and the rain having ceased, it was England who continued to demonstrate their attacking flair and they were agonisingly close to another score in the 61st minute after a superb break from Mark Cueto.

The Sale winger hit the line at pace and scythed through the French defence but crucially lacked close support and, having been hauled down inside the 22, England saw the chance escape altogether as Danny Care knocked on.

Like that of Ashton, it would be a missed opportunity they would ultimately come to regret.

Despite his back-line looking the most dangerous they had for many moons, Johnson decided to shuffle his pack on 63 minutes and introduced Jonny Wilkinson for Flutely and England's all-time leading points scorer promptly showed why as he kicked a superb long-range penalty to drag England back within two points.

But that was to be as close as England would get with France happy to run down the clock during the closing stages as they carefully and safely protected possession through a series of controlled, slow phases from their forwards.

While it hardly came with a flourish, it mattered not a jot to the ecstatic crowd in the Stade de France as they jubilantly saluted the Grand Slam at the final whistle.