I had a few shivers down my spine at the Stade de France on Saturday, which reminded me of some of the great moments I experienced back in 1997 and 1998. It was a magic afternoon and the crowd's response to my old colleagues was extraordinary. French rugby needed that grand slam. I couldn't help feeling that I'd have liked to be part of it, but I've learned to keep that in perspective now.

The curious thing about Saturday was how easy it looked for France. That was simply because they made it look easy. There was never any suspense, and that underlines how colossally France have progressed in the past few months.

They have changed in a very important way during this Six Nations. Even if they were mediocre against Wales and Italy, in the two matches that really counted they were exceptional. Now they look a consistently good team, with a host of good young players in the side and a load more coming along behind them.

France may have won the grand slam, and they may be progressing visibly day by day, but I'd still rate England the better team even if their overconfidence and lack of humility gave the trophy to les Bleus. The old enemy are still there to be emulated; even if they missed out they shouldn't be written off. The only question is how they have managed to lose those three key matches in four years. Something is lacking, and perhaps it is the humility that the French have managed to show.

The big disappointment of the tournament were Ireland. Lansdowne Road is a fortress, but they hit trouble when they leave home.

It was shocking how they never had a whiff of the ball in the first half on Saturday. Their scrums and line-outs were simply catastrophic - and at this point we should pay tribute to the French props Jean-Jacques Crenca and Pieter de Villiers, who have been a colossal force.

I wonder about Ireland's fitness. They looked sluggish whenever the pace of the game picked up. They were slow getting to the breakdown and by the end of the match they were resigned, barely even willing to move the ball.

Scotland and Wales are in a little group of their own, for different reasons. Scotland have a lot of potential and look good on paper but they can't produce the goods. They spill a lot of passes, turn the ball over in the tackle, can't get any continuity and are weak in the scrum. Wales, however, should be more worried. They are in deep trouble, reflected in Rob Howley's decision to quit. I can't understand why he's going but clearly he thinks the team have no potential to improve before the World Cup. No player of his quality would stop a year before the World Cup if he had any hope.

As for Italy, I still think they deserve their place in the tournament because it will help rugby to develop there. There is individual talent, and the number of good players is growing. Some day they will surprise us all, but not for a while.

Player of the tournament? The France centre Damien Traille, who was superior to all his opposite numbers in France's five games. He didn't have a great game against Italy but managed two tries, he showed a lot of cutting edge against Wales, and in the England game he was influential against two of the best centres in the world in Will Greenwood and Mike Tindall. I'd give him the nod over Fabien Galthié, because everyone already knows just how important Galthié is to France.

For forward of the tournament I'd go for Serge Betsen, who was superb throughout and is now indispensable, which is an incredible achievement considering that a year ago Bernard Laporte said he'd never play for France again.

Chapeaux, messieurs! Hats off to you all. All I have to do now is come back and work my hardest to be part of it again . . .

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