Clément Poitrenaud Full-back – 6
Looked very comfortable under the high ball in the rain for most of the game. Frayed a bit as the game reached the sharp end. Not for the first time …
Marc Andreu Wing - 6
Probably France's best back and very certainly their smallest. He really does seem to have a chip on his shoulder about it, such is his determination.
Mathieu Bastareaud Centre - 4
Quiet by his standards. A couple of rumbles in the first half. Off early in second. No one seemed to mind when he left.
Yannick Jauzion Centre - 4
France's other beast in the centre, he was also unable to get into the game. Even spilled it once, which is not supposed to happen.
Alexis Palisson Wing - 5
Very little for him to do on this filthy wet night. Not for twinkle-toe runners like him. Found the odd good touch from penalties, though.
François Trinh-Duc Fly-half - 5
Nice drop goal to get things going and he kept France on the front foot early on. Grew ever more invisible after that.
Morgan Parra Scrum-half - 5
Some fine goal-kicking, even if he missed his first. Otherwise, the man who has attracted such praise this season faded as much as anyone.
Thomas Domingo Prop - 5
France's scrum was where they won the game, an unseemly number of penalties arising. So good there, but little else to report.
William Servat Hooker - 6
Solid as always. Regularly spearheads the French driving round the fringes and does it very well. Hungry in defence.
Nicolas Mas Prop - 6
The dominant scrummager as far as we could tell, which means he was as responsible as anyone for the win. But it wasn't a great win, was it?
Lionel Nallet Lock - 8
A monster from start to finish – wouldn't be a surprise if his influence extended to France's advantage in the scrum. Not captain any more, but a leader.
Julien Pierre Lock - 6
Had a fine game in the air and round the deck. Not the biggest reference point in French rugby, but helps fill in the gaps.
Thierry Dusautoir Flanker - 7
Took a while to find his feet, but then found them with a vengeance. It has been a vintage championship for back‑rows, and he's up there with the best.
Julien Bonnaire Flanker - 7
The quietest of France's fabled back row, but never less than excellent. The Richard Hill of French rugby.
Imanol Harinordoquy No8 - 8
One of the players of the tournament and he had another great game until forced off. Always seems to be where the ball is.
REPLACEMENTS
David Marty 6 (on for Bastareaud 51) Great run in the second half had England in trouble. He wants his place in the starting line-up back.
Dmitri Szarzewski 5 (Servat 53) Couple of rumbles.
Jean-Baptiste Poux 5 (Domingo 56) Carried on the good work at scrum time.
Sébastien Chabal 7 (Pierre 59) Neither here nor there.
Julien Malzieu n/a (Andreu 73)
