Lionel Nallet celebrates at the final whistle © Getty Images

Marc Lièvremont, Emile Ntamack and Didier Retière had said France would win the Grand Slam this season. And their players did. But the final game against England might leave a bitter taste in French fans’ mouths.

If teams like Scotland and England showed improvement in their game as the tournament went along, it seems France displayed performances that went up and then down, the turning point being half-time in Cardiff.

Les Bleus can now rely on a strong scrum, fierce defence and efficient players coming off the bench, so complaining that Ben Foden scored the only try on Saturday is a bit unfair. When that happened, France played sensible rugby. Instead of trying to run with the ball under very bad weather conditions, risking knock ons and turnovers, they stuck to their plan, and took the lead with a drop goal by François Trinh-Duc and three penalty kicks by Morgan Parra. Not very exciting, but efficient and consistent tactically.

England were also playing a very tactical game. When centre David Marty came out to replace Mathieu Bastareaud, Tait replaced Tindall less than three minutes later. It was as though it was more about how to control the other team’s strengths than to play to your own. If England had to run with the ball it is because they knew they couldn’t match France around the scrums and rucks.

When Jonny Wilkinson scored a penalty kick six minutes after coming off the bench, it was very clear that France were so scared of possible drop goals that their defensive line moved 20 metres further up from their posts. It’s true England were unlucky, because the heavy rain didn’t help their will to attack from their back-three of Foden, Ashton and Cueto.

What is really surprising is how reluctant French fans seem to be since victory meant a ninth Grand Slam. France have lost so many games despite scoring more tries than the opponent, or for not being able to cope with the rain (just to mention the 2003 RWC semi-final), that these fans should be proud of what has been achieved. And if France didn’t show much when it comes to attacking skills, at least they will have bought themselves enough time to work without pressure until the next World Cup.

I remember that in 2002 France had won the Grand Slam thanks to a tactical defensive novelty: the 15 players were grouped mixing forwards and backs across the width of the pitch. But by being creative too early they gifted time to their opponents to find ways to block the innovation. Let’s just hope that the French coaches have this in mind.

Jean Palfrey