Wales complete grand slam with two-try victory

By Rex Gowar

LONDON (Reuters) - Wales clinched their second grand slam in four years by beating defending Six Nations champions France 29-12 at a jubilant Millennium Stadium on Saturday.

The Welsh, who failed to reach the World Cup quarter-finals five months ago, won the tournament decider with wing Shane Williams setting a national record with his 41st try.

Flanker Martyn Williams, who had retired after the World Cup but was quickly persuaded by new coach Warren Gatland to revise his decision, added a late second try.

Gatland praised his team for their mental strength and the way they coped with under pressure, such as the period early in the second half when France pulled level at 9-9 with Wales centre Gavin Henson in the sin bin.

"In every game you have your ups and downs and it's how you handle them that counts, you don't control a game for 80 minutes," Gatland told BBC television.

Wales had the luxury of two excellent flyhalves in James Hook and Stephen Jones, whereas France ended the tournament unable to make up their minds as to their best halfback pairing, recalling David Skrela and Jean-Baptiste Elissalde for Saturday's game.

ENGLAND SECOND

The French, under new coach Marc Lievremont after losing the World Cup third place playoff last year, finished third with England snatching second place.