Official RBS 6 Nations Rugby : Saint-Andre gracious in defeat

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Phillipe Saint-Andre's France team won two of their five RBS 6 Nations games

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Saint-Andre gracious in defeat

17 March 2012, 8:56 pm

By Sportsbeat

France head coach Phillipe Saint-Andre was magnanimous in defeat after his side ended the RBS 6 Nations with their second loss in two matches despite a much-improved performance.

The French lived up to pre-match expectation of a battling performance and made Wales fight for every point in their 16-9 victory in Cardiff which sealed their second Grand Slam in five years.

Alex Cuthbert’s converted try proved the difference in a close match as France registered on the score sheet through two penalties from Dimitri Yachvili and one from Lionel Beauxis.

Pre-tournament hype had listed this match as a potential Championship decider but after France’s opening momentum ground to a halt with a home 17-17 draw with Ireland followed by last week’s 22-24 defeat to England they were just playing for pride.

But despite his disappointment the former Gloucester and Sale boss chose to praise the achievements of the Welsh team this campaign.

He said: "Congratulations to Wales they deserve it, it was a very tough game but we know to win the Grand Slam is not easy and they did it.

"Today was a very big contest but they won so congratulations to them.

"They have a young generation of players and a good staff and I think they deserve it and it's good for the pubs of Cardiff because their fans will drink a lot of beer.

"They are the winners and in sport you only remember the winner, not the ones who finish second.

"We are sad and disappointed as it was not a bad performance but we finished fourth in the Six Nations."