FRANCE’S heartbreaking defeat in the 2023 World Cup quarter-finals and last year’s Six Nations runners-up spot shaped their success in this year's tournament, says coach Fabien Galthie.
Les Bleus turned on the power after a shaky first half to beat Scotland 35-16 and wrap up their first Six Nations title since 2022, beating several records on a festive Parisian night.
And centre Yoram Moefana says: “I don’t know if it makes up for the World Cup [elimination], but we’re very happy to win this trophy,” in reference to France's 29-28 defeat against the Springboks on home soil at the last World Cup.
Moefana scored two tries with Thomas Ramos and Louis Bielle-Biarrey adding one each as France prevailed with a bonus point to finish one point ahead of England with a much better points difference and a record 30 tries in the campaign.
Galthie, who has transformed the squad since taking over in 2020, believes that tough times have helped them grow, saying: “We are not putting anything behind, we’re keeping the good, and the bad memories.
“This team are much better than in 2023, and better than last year.”
Second-placed England, meanwhile, produced one of their best performances for years to crush hapless Wales, who finished last, by a record 68-14 scoreline on Saturday.
Ireland ended third with Scotland in fifth, as the Irish beat Italy, in fifth, 22-17 thanks to a hattrick of tries by hooker Dan Sheehan .