Six Nations 2010: France twelve England 10

By Mick Cleary 600AM GMT twenty-two March 2010

Previous of Images Next Missed event England physical education instructor Martin Johnson did not have the possibility to hang dual fingers up at his critics after his side narrowly lost to France Photo PA Focus Morgan Parra takes target as France led from the front with the foot Photo GETTY IMAGES

Deep in the guts of the Stade de France on Saturday night, however, as the time ticked towards midnight, the clarity of smouldering disappointment in Martin Johnson was all as well evident. It was there, too, during the compare itself with the England physical education instructor doubt New Zealand arbitrate Bryce Lawrence at half-time and again at the end.

Johnson has taken a violence these last eighteen months each bit as serious as any inflicted on him on the field. Hes been pummelled by critics, his fitness for role questioned. Victory on Saturday night would have supposing event for a two-finger riposte to the doubters. But it was not to be. The suffering continues, the jury still deliberates.

France twelve England 10 France v England player ratings England dismay France - but still miss a slicing corner Will Greenwood England eventually looked identical to a group Six Nations movement Sport on radio

England had played the rugby, France had lived on their nerves and their scrummage, and the consequences were to be seen on the T-shirts already being ragged by the French patrol with 2010 stamped to one side the dates of the prior eight Grand Slams. If England had dared to creed with pre-ordered commemoration wares, theyd have been pilloried for being arrogant.

There were alternative stereotypes to dismantle, for France clinched this Slam à langlaise. They were hidebound and limited, not in ambition, using down the time for what seemed identical to an eternity. The sleet that sluiced down from Parisian skies matched their intentions, not those of England.

In the 2003 World Cup semi-final, it had spooked France. Here it neuteured England. France were disciplined, England were not, their chastisement equate of 10-2 at half-time effectively determining the match. England put the round by the hands, at no time some-more tellingly than for Ben Fodens fifth-minute try, France resorted to foot and trundle. It was a night for re-defining types, for reflecting on usually where this England had been hiding.

They have claimed via the Six Nations that this opening was regularly inside of them. Well, being cannot be re-written so easily. Two games in that England featured, opposite Italy and Scotland, were pompous affairs, abandoned of hint and slickness. The matches opposite Wales and Ireland flickered quickly but additionally contained flaws. The work-in-progress has been a strained business.

But usually as it was right to line-up England for their inadequacies along the way, so the usually satisfactory to salute the peculiarity in sure areas on Saturday night. Their conflict had teeth, their proceed work punch and cleverness. You competence consternation because Foden hadnt been selected brazen of Delon Armitage prior to now, and you would be right to do so. Foden was rock-solid underneath the high round and typically jaunty going forward.

Toby Flood for Jonny Wilkinson an additional great call in that it freshened things up, injected urgency. Wilkinson is far from a accomplished force, his 50-metre chastisement flog from far-reaching on the right with thirteen mins superfluous the symbol of a champion. Mike Tindall was a rallying point in midfield, not usually forcing the dreadlocked modern-day idol of French rugby, Mathieu Bastareaud, to be substituted, but additionally display hold and deception in his passing. Scrum-half Danny Care had his most appropriate diversion for England.

The behind 3 played with animation and ardour and if only, if only, debutant wing, Chris Ashton, had not chipped as well shortly when faced with a one-on-one with France full-back Clement Poitrenaud. The superb Mark Cueto additionally had had a detonate upfield thwarted. On such margins.

What right away for England ? Firm predictions are foolish. The usually unchanging cause with England this last 7 years has been their inconsistency. A year ago they accomplished the Six Nations at a rattle, swamping France and dispatching Scotland with ease. It has taken afterwards twelve months to get behind to a identical point.

Their set-piece frailties opposite France can be fixed. It was a salubrious dusk for initiate Leicester tighthead Dan Cole. Two of Morgan Parras 3 penalties came from scrum offences.

Lawrence might have been whimsical in his officiating but the scrum was Englands downfall. "No scrum, no win," pronounced France manager Marc Lievremont, tartly in English.

That England had the capability to ward off such vigour and still all but spoil Frances celebration is sworn statement to their character.

"We had to go balls out from the start," Johnson said. "It was going to be presence of the strongest."

That valid to be France. They picked and drove, played the percentages, all really un-French. They had their Slam but it wasnt at all Grand.