Malzieu: Les Bleus should be satisfied with progress

JULIEN MALZIEU saw France’s two-year hold on the RBS 6 Nations Championship title slip with a defeat to rejuvenated Wales, but the winger insists Les Bleus should be satisfied with their progress in the tournament.

Wales secured the Grand Slam — their second in four years — on Saturday with a 29-12 win over the French at the Millennium Stadium.

France needed to win by at least 20 points to retain their crown, but the hosts’ suffocating defence ensured that prospect was never on the cards.

A strong-looking French side were unconvincing as they slipped to their second defeat of the Six Nations and behind England into third place in the final table. However, given the vast amount of re-jigging new France head coach Marc Lievremont has done and the number of new players he has brought in, Malzieu does not believe his side should be downhearted.

“Third out of six – that isn’t too bad for a team that is just starting to be built,” said the Clermont-Auvergne wide man, one of the few French success stories against the Welsh. “We have only had a month-and-a-half to prepare ourselves, and there has been a ceaseless turnover — players coming and going from a lot of clubs — and it is clearly not easy to create a squad like that.

“I think, on the whole, we have pulled together really well – even if we could have done a lot better against Wales. “In any case, I am happy with how the players have done and with the atmosphere in the group.

“Everything has gone well, and I think it is a good omen for the future.”

Malzieu admits Wales fully deserved to claim the title.

“They are a very solid side, especially in the first line of defence,” he said.