France vs England LIVE: Six Nations rugby result, final score and reaction as France seal Grand Slam
France 25-13 England: Follow live as France seal a Grand Slam and a first Six Nations title since 2010 in Paris
Follow live coverage as France beat England 25-13 in the finale of the Six Nations in Paris to win the Grand Slam and lift the championship trophy for the first time in 12 years.
Fabien Galthie’s side made history as they claimed a Grand Slam and a first championship title since 2010. Victory over England achieved both those goals but the pressure was on, as any other result would have seen Ireland snatch the title after they beat Scotland earlier in the day.
Tries from Gael Fickou, Francois Cros and Antoine Dupont secured the title for Les Bleus in front of a raucous crowd at the Stade de France.
Follow all the latest reaction from the Stade de France:
Wales 21-15 Italy, 73 minutes
Wales return to the Italian 22 but are again pushed back by some ferocious tackling. Louis Rees-Zammit chips over the top but Ange Capuozzo is wisely filling the backfield space, and just about steps away from Rees-Zammit’s ankle tap, allowing his teammates an easier clearance. Wales will have to go again from on the ten-metre line.
Giovanni Pettinelli is replaced by Dave Sisi.
NO TRY! Wales 21-15 Italy, 72 minutes
The Welsh players were back in their own half expecting the try to be awarded - but there’s no compelling evidence to over-turn the on-field decision, so Italy survive.
Jones spreads his arms, bemused.
Wales 21-15 Italy, 72 minutes
Repelled! How have Italy kept Wales out there? Twice they appear certain to score but are hauled back, with Nick Tompkins dumped on his back.
But has Wyn Jones got there this time? Andrew Brace isn’t sure and wants to check, but Jones seems confident. Is there an Italian arm beneath the ball?
Wales 21-15 Italy, 71 minutes
Danilo Fischetti’s excellent tournament ends as Cherif Traore joins the Italian front row. Wales boot a penalty into the Italian 22, and maul to within a couple of metres of the Italian line.
TRY! WALES 21-15 Italy (Josh Adams try, 69 minutes)
Just like that, Wales strike. Ross Moriarty gets through a half-hole and produces a deft offload to Wyn Jones, who charges onwards into the Italian 22.
The visiting defence never quite resets after that. Imperfect handling from Wales means they fail to immediately capitalise, but a meandering Josh Adams spots a gap opening as he curves back infield, scoring close to the posts. Dan Biggar adds the extra two in a dropped fashion, not wanting to waste time calling for the tee as Wales move to within a try of what would be a thoroughly underserved bonus point.
Wales 14-15 Italy, 67 minutes
Kieran Hardy’s first involvement is re-familiarising himself with the Principality Stadium turf after Braam Steyn had rather run the scrum-half over. Italy nearly make space on the left again but Federico Ruzza can’t quite get a periscope up as he tries to offload over the top of two defenders to Monty Ioane.
Wales 14-15 Italy, 66 minutes
This time it is Gareth Davies failing to catch a high kick cleanly, slapping the floor in frustration at a relatively basic error, and shaking his head as Kieran Hardy replaces him. Wayne Pivac shouts something into his communication microphone, looking positively unimpressed.
Wales 14-15 Italy, 65 minutes
It’s a mark of how rattled Wales are that the normally rock solid Dan Biggar fails to gather a high kick. He’s fortunate that it goes backwards from his hands and that a teammate is close by to prevent Italy pouncing.
Wales 14-15 Italy, 64 minutes
There are a few searching looks on Welsh faces as another woeful pass bounces horribly for Louis Rees-Zammit, who knocks on into touch. Braam Steyn takes the place of Toa Halafihi. Italy edging ever nearer.
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