France beat England to end 12-year Six Nations drought

France won the Six Nations for the first time in 12 years after beating England 25-13 to complete the Grand Slam on Saturday.

The triumph was achieved in the febrile atmosphere of the Stade de France, the venue in northern Paris where the French will look to win sport’s ultimate prize next year: the Rugby World Cup.

Fireworks and ticker-tape exploded as France captain Antoine Dupont — the world player of 2021 — lifted the Six Nations trophy in front of his celebrating teammates in the middle of the field.

Will it be the Webb Ellis Cup next?

“We are lucky to have a fantastic group of players,” France manager Raphael Ibanez said.

“I would recommend they keep their feet on the ground. It’s a major step for our team but there is more to come. We can still improve our game.”

France scored three tries, none more important than the final one scored in the 61st minute by Dupont that pushed his team back into a 12-point lead after England reduced the gap to 18-13 following a fast start to the second half.

It eased the pressure on the French in the final quarter as they clinched their first piece of rugby silverware since the Six Nations in 2010 to the backdrop of the home fans singing La Marseillaise.

It was a sixth title of the Six Nations era (since 2000) for France, and a record-tying fourth Grand Slam in that period.

And it marked the next step in France’s evolution under coach Fabien Galthie, who took over after the 2019 Rugby World Cup and led the team to second-place finishes in the last two Six Nations.

The previous decade was marked by several humiliating finishes in the Northern Hemisphere championship — there was even a wooden spoon in 2013 — but French rugby has come together in the Galthie era, with clubs and the