Rugby videos of tackles, tries, funny incidents and more: France on course for Grand Slam after beating Italy

Sunday, March 14, 2010

France on course for Grand Slam after beating Italy

France are still on track to take their first Grand Slam since 2004 after they scored six tries to beat Italy 46-20 in the Six Nations game at the Stade de France.

The hosts ran in six tries through Imanol Harinordoquy, Yannick Jauzion, Marc Andreu, Alexandre Lapandry, and two by David Marty. Morgan Parra kicked 16 points while Italy only managed two late tries.

Italian centre Gonzalo Garcia was yellow carded by Irish referee Alan Lewis for an illegal block on French winger Andreu, making it his second yellow card in the tournament this season, following the match against Ireland.

The win for France now sets up a Grand Slam finale against England at the Stade de France next weekend. "After scoring those three tries we lacked a certain amount of intensity and discipline which we cannot do against England," said eighthman Harinodoquy.

"Obivously we are very very happy to have beaten Italy, who are regardless of the result a hard team to play against. We know it is not easy to play against Italy and they showed how they can play in the second half, scoring two tries.

"But generally I think we did what we had to do to win the match and I think it was a great game to watch for the supporters," he said.

Italy’s coach, Nick Mallet, was frank about his teams poor performance.

"That is the worst we have played for a year. The first-half couldn't have been worse. A lot of players played their worst match for a long time and we made France look better than they are," he said.

"I don't think they'll score tries that easily against England because we missed very simple tackles. But the French are a very good team, the best in this championship. They will win the Grand Slam."

Time: 05:24

France were amazing... oh 1st?

By Conor, at March 15, 2010 12:18 am
I know it was Italy but who will give me odds on France winning the World Cup? They've gotta be one of the favourites.

By Inside Shoulder, at March 15, 2010 12:32 am
Now for the freakin Grand Slam boys. Comparing performances against Ireland, Italy and Scotland, France should be easy winners next week.

But we know that against the English it's always tough and they are a very good side when they get momentum so I'd go for France by 6

By Oli, at March 15, 2010 12:34 am
What do you think about Italy..? Ok, France's victory was certain, but last part of the match showed something good made by Mallet team, by Canavosio,Derbyshire etc..
Tell me your opinion
Andrew

By andrew, at March 15, 2010 12:51 am
Fuckin A!
I'm in love with each one of them (don't tell my girlfriend)

But still am very worried about the English. Because they always play their best rugby against us.

But I hope we'll crush them

By kevdetoulouse, at March 15, 2010 2:53 am
Allez Les Bleus!!!!!
Fantastic game of rugby but they took their foot off the gas and let Italy back in towards the end, I felt they could have had more tries. Yes Italy were thumped but I'll praise them for their passion and desire to keep playing till the final seconds and getting the rewards for it (only let in 3 tries before this game and that was against Ireland, England & Scotland).

Mallet is taking this team forward bit by bit they are showing signs of growth, they are not the easy whipping boys of the 6 Nations.

PARIS NEXT WEEKEND WILL BE AMAZING, I HOPE IT LIVES UP TO ALL THE HYPE!

By Anonymous, at March 15, 2010 3:04 am
Great, great refreshing game that is like a lifesaver in all this drowning boring games. France are a serious threat for NZ 2011, but again England is very tough, if the right players (Foden, Lawes, Kenndey, Geraghty) come on. It will be a cracking match in Paris for sure.
France recycle the ball very quickly and offload a lot.
That's the key.
Ah, Italy are pregressing, little by little. Cheers for them

By Joost, at March 15, 2010 3:22 am
I don't want to go further in the anti French conspiracy but ist it just me or did a few weeks ago the Welsh coach have the same sort of comments? "We made the French look better than they are... We didn't feel the pressure in the 1st half..." Just admit you lost to a better team on the day!

Now France is facing England and should win. However we all know Les Bleus are at their best in big games when they are the underdogs (against NZ for example) but often underperform when they are the favorite (against England). So I'll wait and see before getting too cocky.

By gman, at March 15, 2010 3:28 am
And why is it so exciting to be first on a forum?

By Gman, at March 15, 2010 3:29 am
EIGHT TRIES!!! now that has to be a record or something for the northern hemisphere. There might be hope for you guys yet.

By REDS!, at March 15, 2010 3:33 am
I think it all depends which french side turns up....

i expect england to slow it down a huge amount and take step by step, and not taking to many risks....

i can see either france whitewashing england

or england closing france down and taking the lead, only to make a little mistake and france will drive the knife in with a pitch length score.....

either that or england will win...

By Anonymous, at March 15, 2010 4:37 am
RD CAN YOU PLEASE PLEASE GET RID OF THAT F*CKING AD ON THE LEFT THAT POPS OUT, ITS SO ANNOYING!!!!

....and if you get time smite the so called rugby fans that turn into trolls of forums...

By Anonymous, at March 15, 2010 4:40 am
I'm Afraid about the English, against us they are always good. :-(

By Anonymous, at March 15, 2010 9:44 am
awesome game

By Anonymous, at March 15, 2010 10:05 am
An entertaining match
France are never far of their best level when they can play with panache and serenity. If we are objective, i don't see how english could beat them next we.

But i totally agree with some comments here. France have sometimes difficulties to assume their favorite status. England will certainly have the ambition to waste the party with boring-mauls and johnny's dropgoals.
Johnson know how to break a beautiful mecanic.

the crunch still stay the crunch

By Flooz, at March 15, 2010 10:21 am
Andreu was immense!

By Anonymous, at March 15, 2010 11:40 am
great game with plenty of nice tries. I really like Marc Andreu's try!

By dezzy, at March 15, 2010 1:08 pm
france is the best team in europe this year.

By tom, at March 15, 2010 1:11 pm
parra was magnificent!! absolutely brilliant, specially in the first half!!

I also love that france didn't choose to kick (fullback to fullback ping-pong) but chose to run the ball, and were rewarded with tries

By cheis, at March 15, 2010 1:33 pm
^^^^ agree - that's why Foden must start for England.

By Phil, at March 15, 2010 1:56 pm
Finally some good rugby!

I spent most of Scotland v England trying to work out which match of the 6N was the worst: (I mean which match full stop not just this season.)

England v Italy
Italy v Scotland
Scotland v England

With Wales not having the precision nor the power to challenge this year, we were left with only Ireland and France looking any good, with France battering Ireland into submission, we have had very little good rugby or close, exciting rugby this year. Very disappointing.

Martin Johnson is the worst England manager/coach yet imo.

By John F, at March 15, 2010 3:43 pm
this like a try cumpilation

By Anonymous, at March 15, 2010 4:25 pm
This commentary makes me want to commit suicide

By tehsniper, at March 15, 2010 4:38 pm
Wow 46-20.. this must be um.. the NBA!? Or um, duh.. bad defence? What a joke. It's almost like rugby league!! Did you guys change the laws maybe? This isn't PROPER rugby??

Yes my NH friends, that's how ridiculous you sound on EVERY Super 14 video that is posted that has a high score. So instead of judging matches based on the scoreline, why not open your minds a little and realise that circumstances lead to how results pan out.

Sure, Eng v Scotland was a snoozefest. That certainly helped bring back the NH stereotype, but in Super 14 there are also a few boring, low scoring games from time to time. Shock horror!

Think about it guys. It's very easy to be a critical a**hole for the sake of it, as you can see.

Peace out. Love all rugby.

By Benson, at March 15, 2010 4:40 pm
Now, regarding the match.

Good to see Italy making a bit of progress at the end there. But it was all about France really. Their passing out of the tackle and intent to run is fantastic. They look very dangerous with ball in hand, but I don't expect miracles against England. I'd say it'll be a ten point deficit only, if that.

And yeah, this commentary isn't great.

By Benson, at March 15, 2010 5:01 pm
Nice to see Italy progressing.

But wow, France is smoking hot. Got to be one of the hot favourites for 2011.

In fact I'd say

NZ fav. (home side advantage)
Then France, SA (both have a habit of beating NZ)
With Ireland & Oz having an outside chance to lift the trophy.

By Wessel, at March 15, 2010 6:22 pm
Prediction for France vs England.

France to win by a 20+ margin.

By Wessel, at March 15, 2010 6:27 pm
Well done France - surely England can't stop another Grand Slam for them?

I'm glad Italy got a couple of nice tries - hopefully with 2 club teams in the Magners League they will start to develop over the coming years.

By Mike, at March 15, 2010 8:14 pm
Victory with style and panache!
This tournament showed that even the subs knew how to play with this team. Even if they are so-called 2nd or 3rd choice.

The Crunch will be THE real test. As already said, the English always play well against us.

By Maximus, at March 15, 2010 9:39 pm
Well its crazy to assume france will beat england...

I personally see france with a 90% possibility, but really it depends which team of frances turns up...

we have all seen a french team of favourites turn up and fail badly....(as ofcourse turn up and thrash)

do not forget ireland were somewhat favourites this tournament....and as much as france did play well against them, ireland did also play poorly, so france has the same chances..

Also do not forget about england either playing well, or playing conservative....

Lets all admit, england is on the back foot....what can they do well? maul, keep it in the forwards, the kick penalties and drop goals.....yes they can run sometimes but its risky....

so i can see england slowing france down and ruining their game and potentially winning it....

(dont get me wrong, it might be boring, but its a damn good tactic!)

Personally though, i can see it being a very tight game because england will slow it down, but then i can see a stupid mistake or two, and france will capitalise with englands mistakes by scoring tries!

By Sexual harassment panda!, at March 15, 2010 10:25 pm
as a Kiwi I always enjoy watching the french... They seem to have a knack for playing good attacking rugby.

All the best for your final game.

By Unknown, at March 15, 2010 10:31 pm
Guys, please stop making predictions! You are going to jinx us!

By Gman, at March 16, 2010 12:02 am
Guys, please stop making predictions! You are going to jinx us!

The paranoid French :)

Seriously, I am sure France will do it - congratulations from Ireland. France have so many great players right now.

By Mike, at March 16, 2010 10:37 am
To mike,

i really hope french players are in a paranoid mood during this week :)

lievremont certainly didn't forget last year incredible french lethargy.
All will begin with discipline and willing, and english are pretty good with that no?

Mess always arise from tidiness ;)

By Flooz, at March 16, 2010 10:52 am
and let's hope our kickers will be in a good day, it could help...

By Maximus, at March 16, 2010 11:45 am
About the coming crunch: FR must play the rugby they played so far for the whole 80mn if they want to win; they can't do what they did vs Wales (and in some extend vs Italy). ENG will play i think an 'old school' rugby & try to keep the ball in possession. I'd say FR but it'll be the toughest game for FR. I hope the young French players don't get over confident.
Is Wilko playing?

By Louise, at March 17, 2010 5:41 pm
ENGLAND are gunna get smoked this weekend!!! all I can say is good job. Put those pom's in there place GO GO FRENCHIES and im a kiwi!! DIRTY SOUTH IN YOUR MOUTH POMMY BICTHIES!!!!!

By Anonymous, at March 18, 2010 1:40 pm
During the first try wasn't there an obstruction from a French player that enabled Parra to take the gap?

By Anonymous, at March 18, 2010 8:45 pm
is france already the chanpion?

which are the possibilities of ireland?

By Anonymous, at March 20, 2010 7:29 pm