WALES 31 ITALY 17
by DAVID NICHOLSON 
at the Millennium Stadium

FRANCE won the Six Nations in Paris after a blistering game against England and Super Saturday was settled with Thomas Ramos’s final kick of the tournament.

Les Bleus, Ireland and Scotland all had a chance of taking the trophy on a final weekend of what has been a topsy-turvy tournament, which many have acclaimed as the greatest ever.

It was not meant to have been like this, with England and France tipped to sweep all before them and meet in a Grand Slam decider in the final game.

But after thrashing Wales in their opener, England lost four games on the bounce in the Six Nations for the first time, including a loss last week in Rome.

Italy also beat Scotland on the opening weekend, but were roundly defeated by Wales in Cardiff.

France hammered Ireland in the first round, but conceded 50 points to Scotland in their defeat in Edinburgh.

Ireland and Scotland were playing for a chance to win the Six Nations but the men in green ran out comfortable 43-21 winners and were seconds from taking the championship.

England led France 46-45 in the final minute of what would have been a famous victory, but scrum-half Jack van Poortvliet kicked possession away and his side conceded the penalty as Les Bleus attacked.

Losing 48-46 in an intense performance may convince the Rugby Football Union to keep Steve Borthwick as England’s head coach.

But kicking possession away has been one of the identified faults with Borthwick’s side, as has ill-discipline, and Ellis Genge’s yellow card in Paris cost his side two tries and the victory.

Welsh fans were delirious in Cardiff as their side put Italy to the sword in their first Six Nations victory in three years.

Wales still take the wooden spoon, but the green shoots of recovery for head coach Steve Tandy’s men were apparent in attack and defence.

The Azzurri were shooting for three victories in the Six Nations for the first time, and were full of confidence having defeated England for the first time.

But under Tandy’s careful management, Wales managed to turn their dismal three-year record around as his side showed a cutting edge in attack and an obdurate defence.

Man of the match Aaron Wainwright had a massive game in defence, but the big forward also shone in attack and grabbed two tries.

Italy had no answer to the ferocity with which the home side defended and attacked the ball at the breakdown.

The Welsh fans had turned their back on the national team in previous rounds with low attendances in Cardiff, but this time the stadium was rocking with noise as Tandy’s men gave them hope for the future and next year’s World Cup.

The Six Nations has seen records tumble in a tournament in which fancied teams have been beaten by record scores.

Ireland delivered a record 42-21 away win over England at Twickenham in round three, while Italy made history by beating England for the first time.

France’s 48 points was the most they have scored against England.

This year’s championship also saw a record number of tries (111), beating last year’s record of 108.

France’s flying winger Louis Bielle-Biarrey scored four tries against England to extend his scoring record to 10 successive Six Nations games.

The 22-year-old, who has played in three championships, scored nine tries this tournament and is now the joint-fifth highest try-scorer in Six Nations’ history with 18 in 14 games.

With his last-minute penalty, Ramos became the first player to be the leading points scorer (74) in four consecutive championships.

The final day also saw the most tries (29) scored in a single Six Nations day.