France wins the Six Nations with the tenth Grand Slam in its history

The XV of France won the Six Nations rugby tournament with full victories (Grand Slam) after defeating England (25-13) this Saturday at the Stade de France in Paris, on the fifth and final matchday.

The 'Bleus' by Fabien Galthié and Antoine Dupont, the authors of three tries against the XV de la Rosa, had not won the Six Nations since 2010, when they also won a Grand Slam.

In total, France has won that title with honors that represents the Six Nations Grand Slam ten times during its history.

In this edition they had previously won Italy (37-10), Ireland (30-24), Scotland (36-17) and Wales (13-9), before this last victory against the English.

In the list of winners, France succeeds Wales, which this time came in fifth place.

After twelve years without lifting the star rugby trophy in the Northern Hemisphere, France achieved this success in the year leading up to the 2023 World Cup, where it will serve as host country.

On the horizon, the French face the challenge of winning South Africa, the reigning world champion, in next November's test-matches.

Since the final of the 2019 World Cup, which for the French ended in the quarterfinals, the 'Bleus' have been able to undergo a profound transformation and, except for South Africa, they have been winning all the great powers of the sport of oval ball.

The French coach, Fabien Galthié, adds this success to the three Grand Slam titles he won as a player (1997, 1998, 2002).

“The work done with passion, with commitment, without concession, has allowed us to go and seek this victory and close this tournament with a Grand Slam. I don't believe it, we're still in full tension,” he told France 2 television.

When asked what difference was there between the Grand Slam as a player and the one achieved as a coach, Galthié replied: “Twenty years apart!”

England coach Eddie Jones admitted that France's title was deserved.

“France deserves its championship title. It was the best team, they showed it with great determination. We have had many opportunities to score, but we didn't know how to transform them,” he regretted.

- 'Triple Crown' for Ireland -

The other team that reached the final day with chances of being champions was Ireland, which played its part by beating Scotland 26-5. The French triumph, however, left the XV of the Shamrock with second place.

Ireland won all its matches in this edition, except for the one that lost in France (30-24) on matchday two.

The Irish also won the 'Triple Crown', the honorary title awarded to the British Isles team that wins the other three teams (England, Wales and Scotland, as well as Ireland).

“The Triple Crown is something huge, especially for the Irish people. It's something we haven't achieved in a long time and it's great to do it again,” Irishman Dan Sheehan celebrated.

- Italy avoids the 'Wooden Spoon' -

In the first match of the day, between the final two of this edition's standings, Italy surprised and beat Wales 22-21 in Cardiff, thanks to a try near the end of the wing Edoardo Padovani.

Italy thus broke a seven-year rough streak without winning in a Six Nations match, chaining 36 defeats.

The Italians haven't won a match in this competition since they beat Scotland 22-19 in Murrayfield seven years ago.

After losing in the first four days, this triumph allows Italy to escape a new 'Wooden Spoon', the dishonorable consideration given to the team that loses all their matches in the same edition of the Six Nations.

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