Six Nations: Five takeaways from the Championship as France live up to pre-tournament expectations

Most of the other countries regressed and here we take a closer look at five things we learned from the competition.

France’s first title since 2010, secured by clinching the Grand Slam, was met with a wave of emotion at the Stade de France, but the joy should also reverberate across the game. For so long a faded power, Saturday’s jittery victory over England completed a transformation that restores one of the sport’s most admired rugby nations to the pinnacle. Directed by their outstanding half-backs Antoine Dupont and Romain Ntamack, they will enter next year’s home World Cup from a position of strength.

While France prosper, England are flailing. Their performance in Paris typified what they have become – spirited and resilient, but lacking in any real potency. All of their resolve was on display in a heartening second half, but as an attacking force they ignite only sporadically. France and Ireland are light years ahead in this department and the lack of sustained cutting edge is a real area of concern for Eddie Jones, whose side have gone backwards since a successful autumn. There is much to admire in England’s determination, but it will not win them a World Cup.

What to do with Jones? That was the question facing the Rugby Football Union, but chief executive Bill Sweeney has moved quickly by giving him unconditional backing. It is an extraordinary show of faith in light of England’s recent Six Nations results, with three defeats registered in three of the last five tournaments. Strip Italy out of the equation and only eight of the last 20 games have been won. Jones’ defence is that his team rebuilding project needs time to come to fruition and Sweeney has given him the green light to continue before the customary