Wales beat France to win Grand Slam

Wales claimed their third Six Nations Grand Slam in eight years when they beat World Cup finalists France 16-9 at the Millennium Stadium yester-day.

The Welsh side, marshalled magnificently by fly-half Rhys Priestland and indefatigable flanker Dan Lydiate, produced a nervous display but still managed to dominate a conservative France team that relied heavily on a kicking game.

The victory, following successes over Ireland (23-21), Scotland (27-13), England (19-12) and Italy (24-3), was sweet revenge for the heart-breaking one-point loss Wales suffered against Les Bleus in the World Cup semi-final.

A stunning solo try by winger Alex Cuthbert, allied with three penalties and a conversion by Leigh Halfpenny were enough to see off a French side that scored three penalties through Dimitri Yachvili (2) and Lionel Beauxis.

“This makes all the sacrifices worthwhile,” said Wales skipper Sam Warburton, who was sent off in last year’s World Cup semi-final defeat.

“You have to give credit to the French. They made it difficult for us to get our game going. But we won and that’s what counts.”

Man of the match Lydiate was overjoyed by the victory.

“It’s a very young team and this was their first chance to win anything. To do it at home in the last match in the Six Nations, what could be better?” said the flanker.

“The crowd were our 16th man, thank you all for turning up. Mervyn Davies (who died on Friday) was a legend of the game and our thoughts go out to his family at this time.”

At Twickenham, England beat Ireland 30-9 to take second place in the standings behind Wales.

Earlier in the day, Italy beat Scotland 13-6 to earn Frenchman Jacques Brunel his first victory as Azzurri coach.

It meant Scotland finished bottom of the Six Nations for the first time since 2007 and suffered their first whitewash since 2004.

Final standings
Wales (5-0-0) 10; England (4-0-1) 8;Ireland (2-1-2) 5; France (2-1-2) 5; Italy (1-0-4) 2; Scotland (0-0-5) 0.