France claimed their first Grand Slam in 12 years with a conclusive 25-13 victory over England in Paris within the 2022 Six Nations finale.
Eddie Jones’ males have been outscored 3-1 on the attempt depend as they slumped to their third defeat of the Six Nations, an inglorious end which has now been accomplished 3 times in 5 years. The battling nature of the efficiency will spare Eddie Jones the harshest criticism, however one other failed Championship locations his place as head coach below renewed scrutiny with the World Cup simply 18 months away.
Not one of the French gamers had skilled a Grand Slam sport prior to now, however head coach Fabien Galthie had led France to a Grand Slam in 2002 and Shaun Edwards received three as a coach with Wales earlier than transferring to France after the 2019 World Cup.
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England’s finest interval got here instantly after half time and produced a attempt for Freddie Steward, however France confirmed their mettle to maintain solely restricted harm throughout a troublesome spell. Antoine Dupont ran in Les Bleus’ third attempt, including to the sooner scores by Gael Fickou and Francois Cros, to grab again management and had their execution been sharper they’d have been out of sight way back.
England have been turned over again and again to hamper their efforts of registering an upset, however they completed strongly and refused to throw within the towel whilst France threatened to chop free.
Victories by Eire and Italy earlier on Saturday meant the guests have been sure to complete in third place earlier than a ball was kicked in Paris, with any hope of profitable the title evaporating with a document house defeat by Andy Farrell’s males in spherical 4. Their night started with Jones being loudly booed when his identify was learn out in the course of the boisterous pre-match leisure and by its finish England followers may need shared the sentiment.
A characteristic of the opening levels was the over-reliance on Ellis Genge, who was stationed within the backfield to run the ball again, however the ploy produced little return and when the primary scrum arrived he was penalised, permitting Melvyn Jaminet to land three factors.
Worse was to return as England’s early play was affected by errors and within the fifteenth minute the hosts accepted an invite to strike by sweeping the ball from one touchline to the opposite for Fickou to the touch down.
Marcus Smith and Jaminet exchanged penalties however France have been within the driving seat as they swarmed over Maro Itoje to finish a promising assault and shortly after Jack Nowell left the sector after falling on his arm when difficult for the ball.
If they may simply make their passes stick, Les Bleus can be cantering out of sight however maybe as an indication of nerves, their dealing with was typically snatched. There was higher precision simply earlier than half time, nevertheless, they usually have been rewarded when waves of assaults that got an injection of tempo by Gabin Villiere and Romain Ntamack ended with Cros going over.
An 18-6 interval scoreline seemed ominous for England they usually have been met with ferocious defending as they began the second half with renewed intent. However slowly momentum was constructing and when Joe Marchant discovered area a chance opened up and intelligent dealing with despatched Steward over in the fitting nook. England then imposed themselves up-front by a thunderous maul however their hearts sank as one other dominant spell highlighted by Steward’s kick and catch ended after they conceded a penalty.
Sensing their staff wanted lifting, the house crowd got here alive and roared France on to their third attempt as a sequence of decide and goes reached the decisive second as Gregory Alldritt despatched Dupont by a niche and the scrum-half’s power did the remainder. It proved to be the killer blow as for all England’s effort within the latter levels, they lacked the firepower to make any extra dents.
