Six Nations: excitement and tension to the end

The final game of this season's Six Nations promised to be a bit of a damp squib, on paper at least -a game where the only question was whether France could beat Italy by 36 or more and thus avoid their worst ever Six Nations finish. However, as we have come to expect this season, it turned out to be a cracker, and came within six minutes of being possibly the most incredible result of an extraordinary championship.

Because it seems that Italy dominated almost the entire game. A try in the fourteenth minute of the first half gave Italy the lead. France pulled level on 28 minutes, but Italy were soon ahead again and went into the break 10-7 ahead.

And so the score remained as the second half wore on, neither side apparently able to break through until with only six minutes left Chrouki finally broke through for France, her try being converted to give the visitors a 14-10 win.

Thus ends an amazing competition, with France in particular a greater enigma than ever before. Losing to Ireland, blown away by England, almost beaten by Italy but also sublime and magnificent against Wales - England's conquerors. Who'd be a French rugby coach

Six Nations 2009: Final table

Position	Nation	Games				Points		Table points
		played	won	drawn	lost	for	against
1	England	5	4	0	1	217	52	8
2	Wales	5	4	0	1	94	69	8
3	Ireland	5	3	0	2	88	64	6
4	France	5	3	0	2	81	86	6
5	Scotland	5	1	0	4	38	161	2
6	Italy	5	0	0	5	57	163	0