Wales ease to Six Nations grand slam

By Justin Palmer

CARDIFF (Reuters) - Wales, with passion and flair in abundance, secured their 10th Six Nations grand slam with a 29-12 win over France on Saturday to cap a remarkable renaissance under coach Warren Gatland.

Shane Williams lifted the tension in an edgy encounter with an opening try midway through the second half as Wales won a second grand slam in four years and inflicted a first defeat on France in a Six Nations match at the Millennium Stadium.

The winger's 41st touchdown made him his country's leading all-time try scorer, and he also finished the tournament as top try scorer with six.

"It helps to have the little Welsh wizard," captain Ryan Jones said of Williams's influence.

"We defended superbly and that's what won us the game," the Wales number eight added.

Flanker Martyn Williams, persuaded out of international retirement by New Zealander Gatland, put the icing cake by bursting through for a second score late on.

Gatland said: "The players have learned how to handle pressure moments...They've given more than we coaches have asked."

France had to beat Wales by a minimum of 20 points, or by 19 and score more tries, in Cardiff to snatch the title but rarely threatened to spoil the party as Gatland's side again underlined their improvement since last year's dismal World Cup showing.