Wales win grand slam

LONDON – Wales clinched their second grand slam in four years by beating defending Six Nations champions France 29-12 at a jubilant Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

The Welsh, who failed to reach the World Cup quarter-finals five months ago, won the tournament decider with wing Shane Williams setting a national record with his 41st try. Flanker Martyn Williams, who had retired after the World Cup but was quickly persuaded by new coach Warren Gatland to revise his decision, added a late second try.Gatland praised his team for their mental strength and the way they coped with under pressure, such as the period early in the second half when France pulled level at 9-9 with Wales centre Gavin Henson in the sin bin.Wales had the luxury of two excellent flyhalves in James Hook and Stephen Jones, whereas France ended the tournament unable to make up their minds as to their best halfback pairing, recalling David Skrela and Jean-Baptiste Elissalde for Saturday’s game.The French, under new coach Marc Lievremont after losing the World Cup third place playoff last year, finished third with England snatching second place.England, with Danny Cipriani at flyhalf for his first start and Jonny Wilkinson relegated to the bench, put on a vastly improved showing to beat Ireland 33-10 at Twickenham.The victory ended a run of four England defeats by the Irish and made up for the dismal display in defeat by Scotland at Murrayfield a week earlier.Cipriani, starting for the first time, had a perfect afternoon with the boot, contributing 18 points to the tries scored by Paul Sackey, Mathew Tait and man-of-the-match Jamie Noon.The Irish, who led 10-0 after seven minutes, will be wondering whether that was their last match under Eddie O’Sullivan, who kept his job for the tournament despite presiding over their poor World Cup.Scotland went to Rome knowing a draw would suffice to avoid a second successive wooden spoon but only just avoided that ignominy as a last-minute drop goal by fullback Andrea Marcato gave Italy a 23-20 win.Coach Nick Mallett was jubilant after his first win in charge, Italy’s second successive tournament victory over the Scots whom they beat 37-17 under Pierre Berbizier at Murrayfield a year ago.The two teams finished with two points each and the Scots only marginally ahead in the points difference.Nampa-ReutersFlanker Martyn Williams, who had retired after the World Cup but was quickly persuaded by new coach Warren Gatland to revise his decision, added a late second try.Gatland praised his team for their mental strength and the way they coped with under pressure, such as the period early in the second half when France pulled level at 9-9 with Wales centre Gavin Henson in the sin bin.Wales had the luxury of two excellent flyhalves in James Hook and Stephen Jones, whereas France ended the tournament unable to make up their minds as to their best halfback pairing, recalling David Skrela and Jean-Baptiste Elissalde for Saturday’s game.The French, under new coach Marc Lievremont after losing the World Cup third place playoff last year, finished third with England snatching second place.England, with Danny Cipriani at flyhalf for his first start and Jonny Wilkinson relegated to the bench, put on a vastly improved showing to beat Ireland 33-10 at Twickenham.The victory ended a run of four England defeats by the Irish and made up for the dismal display in defeat by Scotland at Murrayfield a week earlier.Cipriani, starting for the first time, had a perfect afternoon with the boot, contributing 18 points to the tries scored by Paul Sackey, Mathew Tait and man-of-the-match Jamie Noon.The Irish, who led 10-0 after seven minutes, will be wondering whether that was their last match under Eddie O’Sullivan, who kept his job for the tournament despite presiding over their poor World Cup.Scotland went to Rome knowing a draw would suffice to avoid a second successive wooden spoon but only just avoided that ignominy as a last-minute drop goal by fullback Andrea Marcato gave Italy a 23-20 win.Coach Nick Mallett was jubilant after his first win in charge, Italy’s second successive tournament victory over the Scots whom they beat 37-17 under Pierre Berbizier at Murrayfield a year ago.The two teams finished with two points each and the Scots only marginally ahead in the points difference.Nampa-Reuters