Twelve years – in other words an eternity – that the XV of France was chasing a new Grand Slam in the Six Nations Tournament, but also after a final victory. One breath away from ending this scarcity during the last two editions 2020 and 2021, Fabien Galthié’s men have not flinched this time. By winning at the Stade de France 25 at 13 in the “Crunch” against their eternal English adversaries, the Blues win the tenth Grand Slam in their history, the fourth since 2000 and the arrival of Italy in the Tournament.
Any other result would have been a huge disappointment, as Antoine Dupont’s teammates had dominated the debates since the start of the competition, after four high-flying victories, against Italy (37-10), ahead of Ireland (30 -24), Scotland (36-17) and Wales (13-9).
To inscribe their name in the pantheon of French rugby alongside Serge Blanco, Fabien Pelous, Imanol Harinordoquy, Abdelatif Benazzi and other Jean-Pierre Rives, these Blues of 2022 still had to overcome their pet peeve, against which they remain on two setbacks. Galthié promised it: Antoine Dupont’s teammates “learned from their mistakes”and they wouldn’t procrastinate this Saturday night.
Since the end of the 2019 World Cup, the XV of France, now up to third place in the world, has chained the performances of choice: in Cardiff against Wales (27-23 in February 2020) then in Dublin against Ireland (15 -13 in February 2021); first success in Australia since 1990 (28-26 in July 2021); triumph against the All Blacks (40-25 in November 2021)… Crowned with this title, the Blues are perfectly launched in the conquest of the next World Cup at home, in a year and a half. Either the only title that is still missing from the charts.
