Team Statistics onlyinclude Five & Six Nations games from 1992 to the present day
Player Statistics onlyinclude Five & Six Nations appearances since 1992
Vincent Clerc
'A very positive tournament so far'
11 February 2008, 10:49 am
Once again we have won our match, we scored four tries and we are topping the rankings. After only two matches I can say it has been a very positive RBS 6 Nations Tournament so far for us.
Against Ireland, there were two matches in one. During the first 46 minutes, France managed to control the game, we were well organised, we developed an interesting game and Clerc and Heymans displayed a top level performance. The French team dominated.
Then things became a little bit more difficult. Our scrum was given a rough time by Ireland, who fought their way back into the game thanks to a try allowed by the referee. It became stressful for everyone, but the most important was to win and take points.
Vincent Clerc once again played brilliantly. He was not even meant to play at first but Julien Malzieu's injury brought him back into the starting line-up. Clerc is at the top of his game at the moment, he is self-confident and everything he does is a success. He is very talented and very fast. I think we can really say that he is currently the best winger in the world.
I would not say that France relaxed their efforts in the last half hour of the game. But we got less and less control on the ball and when that happens it is hard to keep on scoring points.
We also got weaker on the impact and one-on-one situations. It became complicated for us and the Irish got their fighting spirit back. But as a whole the French team remained very united and we achieved our most important goal: winning.
Our next encounter is against England. The English team have lacked confidence since they lost to Wales. Italy gave them a hard time on Sunday and at the end of the day they only snatched an unconvincing victory.
Facing England at the Stade de France when they are so far from their best form is the best thing that could happen to the French in this tournament.
Then things became a little bit more difficult. Our scrum was given a rough time by Ireland, who fought their way back into the game thanks to a try allowed by the referee. It became stressful for everyone, but the most important was to win and take points.
Vincent Clerc once again played brilliantly. He was not even meant to play at first but Julien Malzieu's injury brought him back into the starting line-up. Clerc is at the top of his game at the moment, he is self-confident and everything he does is a success. He is very talented and very fast. I think we can really say that he is currently the best winger in the world.
I would not say that France relaxed their efforts in the last half hour of the game. But we got less and less control on the ball and when that happens it is hard to keep on scoring points.
We also got weaker on the impact and one-on-one situations. It became complicated for us and the Irish got their fighting spirit back. But as a whole the French team remained very united and we achieved our most important goal: winning.
Our next encounter is against England. The English team have lacked confidence since they lost to Wales. Italy gave them a hard time on Sunday and at the end of the day they only snatched an unconvincing victory.
Facing England at the Stade de France when they are so far from their best form is the best thing that could happen to the French in this tournament.