With another European rugby union season drawn to a close, it can be stated that 2010 was undoubtedly the year of the French.
Their national side brushed the opposition aside to become Grand Slam Champions in this year’s Six Nations. Their most famous club side Toulouse became Heineken Cup champions for a historic fourth time, conquering Biarritz in an all-French final played at the Stade de France in Paris.
While Marseille was also the stage for the final of the Amlin Challenge Cup, where French representation was again upheld in the shape of Toulon.
Yet the first piece of silverware up for grabs was, as always, on the international front in the form of the Six Nations.
2010 Six Nations Round-Up
Many will comment that it should come as no surprise that France would do well this year, benefiting from the Lions Tour and in particular the after effects that the English, Irish, Scottish and Welsh players would be feeling. However that would be doing a disservice to the dominance displayed by Les Bleus.
After a relatively comfortable away victory (18-9) over Scotland at Murrayfield during the opening round of matches, the pre-anointed game of the tournament and potential title decider was next up, where the French would clash with 2009 Grand Slam winners Ireland.
A close fiercely competitive contest was expected. Instead the Irish were comprehensively beaten 33-10. Nervous moments were felt at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, as Wales nearly produced a comeback of stunning proportions, but Les Bleus were able to hold on to a deserved 26-20 triumph after leading 20-0 at half-time.
A subsequent 46-20 thrashing of Italy left France needing just to record a home win over a struggling England to claim Grand Slam glory. In the pouring rain a 12-10 victory was grinded out to spark celebrations amongst the Paris faithful.
As for the rest of the teams, disappointment would be a familiar word shared between them. Not only did Ireland fail in their bid to retain their title, they would also miss out on the Triple Crown, falling to a shock 23-20 reversal to Scotland in the last Six Nations match to be played at Croke Park.
The Scots themselves, though much improved performance-wise under new coach Andy Robinson, would only end up with one solitary victory to their name. They should have secured more, notably in the match of the tournament where Wales, who would have to endure another fourth placed finish after producing rugby that went from great to awful, snatched a 31-24 comeback win.
Martin’s Johnson England began their campaign with two victories but poor performances in a 20-16 home defeat to Ireland and 15-15 draw with the Scottish would undermine any progress that was looking like being made. Once again Italy, minus star man Sergio Parisse for the whole tournament, would collect the wooden spoon.
Toulouse and Cardiff Blues Conquer in Europe
The good form of the French players would continue on the club stage, as European Rugby Union’s premier club competition, the Heineken Cup proved. After both had overcome Irish provinces in the semis, Toulouse, who knocked out defending champions Leinster, would square off against Basque side and fellow Top 14 rivals Biarritz, who had seen off cup specialists Munster.
A powerful forwards display in Paris from Les Rouge et Noir helped secure a 21-19 victory and with it a fourth Heineken Cup triumph, making them the most successful club in the professional rugby union era.
Over in the Amlin Challenge Cup, star-studded Toulon - boasting the likes of Jonny Wilkinson in their ranks - looked to make it a clean sweep for France in terms of major silverware when they took on the Cardiff Blues.
The onlooking crowd in Marseille would be left in silence though as the Blues sealed a 28-21 win, in the process ending a 15-year wait for a Welsh success in the European club format.
Ospreys Win First-Ever Magners League Grand Final
The end of season feel-good factor in Welsh rugby would be heightened further, as the Ospreys claimed the inaugural Magners League Grand Final title. In a new concept, end of season play-offs were introduced to the competition, which saw Leinster, Munster and Glasgow join the Welsh outfit in challenging for the crown.
Both away sides would taste defeat, Glasgow, Scotland’s sole representative being overturned on Swansea at the Liberty Stadium 20-5, while Munster would fall 16-6 to fellow Irish province Leinster, who had finished top of the league standings.
SEE ALSO: Reviewing The European Rugby Union Season
Sean Morris - 23 years old from Carmarthen in WalesBA Honours Journalism Graduate from Liverpool John Moores UniversityPreviously produced articles for ...
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