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France close in on Grand Slam

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It was the most emphatic first-half performance of the 2010 Six Nations championship. France swept aside the Italians, leaving them reeling at the half-time break, thanks to a glorious display of exciting, direct and clinical rugby which has effectively sealed Les Blues their first Six Nations title for three years.

Although Marc Lievremont’s side aren’t quite over the finish line just yet, it’s surely only five days away now.

France had entered the tournament as favourites to lift the prestigious Six Nations trophy, and there’s little doubt that they’ve lived up to their billing over the past month. They really have been a cut above every other team in the championship.

Les Blues went into the break 22-3 ahead against the battered Italians at the Stade de France on Sunday afternoon. A try from the influential Imanol Harinordoquy and a further brace from David Marty sparked thoughts that a rout was imminent.

Full credit must go to Italy, though, for their second-half performance. Most teams would have crumbled after sustaining so many blows in one 40-minute spell; but Nick Mallett’s side regrouped after the break and managed to score two consolation tries to retain their dignity.

Marc Andreu, Yannick Jauzion and Alexandre Lapandry grabbed the other three tries for France; while the nerveless Morgan Parra – the 21-year-old scrum-half who appears to be getting better and better with every passing game - kicked 16 points to help seal France a 46-20 win in Paris.

The only team that now stands in their way between them and Six Nations Grand Slam glory are England. On the basis of Saturday’s performance against Scotland in the Calcutta Cup, they have little to fear.

Two sides who have struggled to score tries throughout this year’s championship squared up against each other at Murrayfield on Saturday afternoon. The result? A typically uninspiring performance which neither team would have been particularly pleased with after the final whistle.

The spoils were shared in Edinburgh and England hold on to the Calcutta Cup, but their faint hopes of a shock Six Nations win – if they ever existed - have now been well and truly extinguished.

When you consider the contrast between England and France’s performances at the weekend, though, it’s only fair that Martin Johnson’s side are out of contention.

Once again, England relied on their kicking prowess to edge their way past their opponents. Scotland, meanwhile, counteracted that by employing exactly the same tactic.

As a result, Jonny Wilkinson and Toby Flood scored 15 points for the visitors, while Dan Parks kicked the same number of points for Andy Robinson’s side.

The former England coach would not have wanted this year’s Six Nations to have panned out in this manner. Scotland now appear certainties to finish next weekend with the Wooden Spoon in their grasp.

If by some miracle England manage to beat France next weekend in Paris, then Ireland could leapfrog Les Blues on the final day of the championships with a win against Scotland. They kept alive their dreams of back-to-back Six Nations titles with a convincing 27-12 victory over Wales at Croke Park. It was a deserved win for Declan Kidney’s side as they crossed the line three times in total courtesy of a brace from Keith Earls and another from Tomas O'Leary.

Wales looked bereft of ideas and imagination, and were stifled every time they came within sight of the line by the sturdy Irish defence.

Before the first whistle, Brian O’Driscoll celebrated becoming Ireland’s second centurion, and he marked his 100th appearance in the famous green jersey by setting up Earl’s first try. Meanwhile, Ronan O’Gara’s younger replacement Jonathan Sexton, was off target for the all three conversions; but made amends by kicking three penalties and a drop goal.

With less than a week before this year’s Six Nations is resolved, it’s France’s championship to lose. A French Grand Slam now seems inevitable – and it will be no less than Les Blues so richly deserve.

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