An almost impregnable defence and a solid set piece were the foundations for France's Six Nations Grand Slam, French newspapers said Sunday.
France won a tense decider 12-10 over England at the Stade de France late Saturday for a first cleansweep since 2004 and ninth in their history.
England opened the scoring with an early Ben Foden try converted by Toby Flood, but France hit back with a Francois Trinh-Duc drop-goal and three Morgan Parra penalties. Replacement Jonny Wilkinson booted a late penalty for the only score of the second-half.
"The ninth symphony," headlined specialist rugby newspaper MidiOlympique on its website rugbyrama.
"After two years of irregularity, the team has reached a new milestone in their game," it said, highlighting the set-piece and defence as their strong points.
Against England, prop Thomas Domingo and his French colleagues bored in on English tight-head Dan Cole, who was twice penalised for collapsing the scrum - two penalties Parra kicked.
"The scrum was a real weapon for the French. Despite absences from the front row (Fabien Barcella, Sylvain Marconnet, Luc Ducalcon) and second row (Pascal Pape, Romain Millo-Chluski), the French scrum never failed."
MidiOlympique said France had also finished the Six Nations with the best defence.
"Marc Lievremont's players only conceded 69 points and six tries. Better still, their opponents managed to score only when the outcome of the game was known.
"Ireland scored their try after an hour of the game and the score was already 27-3. The Welsh scored their first try in the 62nd minute when the Bleus were leading 20-6. Their second came at full-time.
"Italy also managed to score two tries (68th and 73rd minutes) but the French were already leading 46-6.
"Only the English managed to breach the French defence in the first half."
L'Equipe sports daily hailed France's feat, which came in a season when the country was celebrating its 100 years' involvement in the competition.
"Despite being led from eary on in the match, the French team once again shone up front to impose themselves," it said.
Le Parisien added: "Les Bleus gave everything to win the Grand Slam.
"At the end of an incredible suspense, the tricolour XV managed to win the ninth Grand Slam in its history thanks to a success over its long-time rival, England."
La Presse de la Manche crowed: "It's done! The French team offered up a double dose of good news, first by beating England 12-10, which is always a pleasure, and by doing so, claiming a super Grand Slam.
"This was a hesitant match if you wanted to name a victor, uncertain in its outcome, with a superb England team which started the game with determination and brio.
"The talent of the French against an England team playing with French flair, and scoring the sole try of the match, was never to let their guard down."
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