The nervy 12-10 defeat of England in Le Crunch secured a first Grand Slam in six years but their credentials amongst at the top table of world rugby will come under severe examination in the next 12 months.

A summer tour to World Champions South Africa is looming large on the horizon while the 2011 RBS 6 Nations will include trips to the refurbished Lansdowne Road and Twickenham – traditionally never a happy hunting ground for France.

All those tests come ahead of the 2011 World Cup and Lievremont maintains winning the Grand Slam can be the building block for bigger and better things.

“Things are setting up gently,” said Lievremont who became only the fourth person to win the Slam both as a coach and as a player. 

"Coaching the French team teaches you patience, perseverance and modesty.

"There is still a lot of work to do but it will be easier with a Grand Slam behind us and we know we now have a team that can do great things.

“We don't take anything for granted and we still have to face lots of challenges, the first one being to carry on winning playing a better game with more control of the matches.

“Our other challenges are to win away in South Africa, in England, in Ireland, in Argentina, to win the championship and a Grand Slam in an odd year.”