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Latest News
HSBC Canada Women's Sevens 2022
4 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Black Ferns Sevens renew riveting rivalry with Australia on HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Australia wrapped up the 2022 Series title in Langford, but the Black Ferns Sevens left Canada with plenty to celebrate as they begin a busy period.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Tue 3 May, 2022
4 min read
Madagascar Women's Sevens
3 min read

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022: Madagascar latest team to book ticket to Cape Town

Following another intense weekend of qualifying action we now know the identity of 12 women's and 20 men's teams who will compete at RWC Sevens 2022.

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Mon 2 May, 2022
3 min read
HSBC Spain Sevens Seville 2022 - Women's
4 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe keen to drive Ireland onto Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

We spoke to the prolific Ireland star about backing up the team’s success in Seville and plotting their path to Cape Town in September.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Tue 26 April, 2022
4 min read
Rugby World Cup Sevens San Francisco 2018 - Day Two
5 min read

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Everything you need to know about Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Your guide to RWC Sevens 2022, which will take place in Cape Town between 9-11 September this year.

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Fri 8 April, 2022
5 min read
Dubai Emirates Airline Rugby Sevens 2021 - Men's
3 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Perfection, not silverware, the focus for South Africa and Selvyn Davids

We caught up with the Blitzboks star, who has helped guide his side to the top of the men’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series standings as the countdown continues to their home Rugby World Cup Sevens.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Tue 5 April, 2022
3 min read
2018 Highlights
Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018
08:29 mins

Highlights: New Zealand win big in San Francisco

New Zealand retained their Rugby World Cup Sevens title in San Francisco
Mon 23 July, 2018
08:29 mins
Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018
07:03 mins

Highlights: New Zealand women's win Rugby World Cup Sevens

Check out all the top action as New Zealand win The Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco
Sun 22 July, 2018
07:03 mins
Rugby World Cup Sevens San Francisco 2018 - Day Two
06:30 mins

HIGHLIGHTS: Men's semi-finals confirmed after thrilling day two

Men's semi-finals confirmed after thrilling day two of action at Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018 #RWC7s
Sun 22 July, 2018
06:30 mins
Rugby World Cup Sevens San Francisco 2018 - Day One
06:51 mins

Highlights: Men's quarter-finals decided

Men's quarter-finals of Rugby World Cup Sevens decided after incredible first day at AT&T Park
Sat 21 July, 2018
06:51 mins
Rugby World Cup Sevens 2018
06:26 mins

Highlights: Women's semi-finals confirmed at Rugby World Cup Sevens

Championship semi-finals confirmed after thrilling day one of action
Sat 21 July, 2018
06:26 mins
Six Nations
Tuesday 01 February, 2022
2 min read

Six Nations memories: Wil-KO: Serge Betsen takes down England hero

Twenty years ago France won the first-ever Six Nations Grand Slam, and the flanker’s tackling was a standout feature of their success, none more so than against Jonny Wilkinson’s England.
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Stop Wilkinson, and you go a long way to stopping England. That was France’s approach in 2002.

Wilkinson had been top points-scorer in the previous two Six Nations Championships, with an incredible combined total of 167 points.

Even better days were, of course, around the corner for the mercurial fly-half but in Paris, his and England’s Grand Slam dreams turned into another nightmare.

Time and time again England were knocked back by a fired-up French pack, with flanker Serge Betsen leading the charge with a ferocious defensive display.

Great to see both @SBetsen and @JonnyWilkinson covering Le Crunch today

Is all forgiven, Jonny?#ENGvFRA #GuinnessSixNations #ITVRugby pic.twitter.com/qnibCxnemM

— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) March 13, 2021

“We’d played the Six Nations the year before, in 2001, and England smashed France. I wasn’t there but I remember the conversations about how we can challenge ourselves to get revenge,” said Betsen, who won 63 caps in a decade of service for Les Bleus.

“People started talking about Jonny Wilkinson and It was fascinating to see him playing at that level at such a young age. For me, he was one of the most important players for England, at that time he used to carry a lot and make a lot of decisions for England, and it worked for him.

“Bernard Laporte, our manager, told us not to give cheap penalties to England because of Jonny. Discipline was important and defensive organisation was as well for us to be able to challenge England, and do what we can to stop Wilkinson.

“We were fortunate to have David Ellis as defence coach. Coming from rugby league, he brought a lot of structure and organisation around the rucks. All of us wanted to perform well and showcase our ability and with the help of David we managed to do something special.”

GRAND SLAM LESSONS

France raced into a 17-0 lead in Paris, thanks to tries from Gérald Merceron and Imanol Harinordoquy, and then dug in to win 20-15 after England threw everything they had at them.

“As we all say, the game is for 80 minutes. The second half was a little bit difficult and I remember I missed a tackle on Jason Robinson who scored an amazing try,” he recalled.

“But we stayed in the game, we didn’t really fall over despite that, and I think the consistency we’d put in place under Bernard Laporte enabled us to get a very important victory.”

Having already beaten Italy and Wales, France followed up the England win with victory at Murrayfield before rounding off with a thumping 44-5 win against Ireland in which Betsen scored two tries.

Betsen was part of another Grand Slam-winning campaign in 2004, and the London-based 47-year-old hopes that he’ll soon be witnessing France’s 10th in total and first since 2010.

“For a few years, people have talked about how amazing France are and how talented the players are. Hopefully, they can use all the experience from games where they have come up short and convert all these learnings,” he said. 

“They have got a lot of potential individually, collectively they need to showcase that to win the Grand Slam. This is what we expect from them and, fingers crossed, it will happen.”

READ MORE: France Six Nations 2022 fixtures: Who do they play and when?

Trending News Show all
2018 Commonwealth Games women's final
3 min read

Commonwealth Games

All the build-up to rugby sevens at the Commonwealth Games 2022

Now that the line-ups are complete in both the men’s and women’s tournaments, we take a look at who has won gold in the past and the sides competing to add their names to the roll call of honour in July.

Commonwealth Games

Wed 11 May, 2022
3 min read
Madagascar qualify for rugby world cup sevens
4 min read

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Discipline and hard work at the heart of Madagascar's success on the road to Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

The Madagascar women's sevens team has achieved their historic dream of qualifying for a Rugby World Cup Sevens tournament for the first time. At the heart of this achievement lies a lot of hard work, determination and discipline.

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Wed 11 May, 2022
4 min read
HSBC Canada Women's Sevens 2022
4 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Seven women’s HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series players to watch in Toulouse

Following an exciting weekend in Langford we look at seven women’s stars who could light up Toulouse between 20-22 May.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Thu 5 May, 2022
4 min read
HSBC Canada Women's Sevens 2022
4 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Black Ferns Sevens renew riveting rivalry with Australia on HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Australia wrapped up the 2022 Series title in Langford, but the Black Ferns Sevens left Canada with plenty to celebrate as they begin a busy period.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Tue 3 May, 2022
4 min read
Madagascar Women's Sevens
3 min read

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022: Madagascar latest team to book ticket to Cape Town

Following another intense weekend of qualifying action we now know the identity of 12 women's and 20 men's teams who will compete at RWC Sevens 2022.

Rugby World Cup Sevens 2022

Mon 2 May, 2022
3 min read
HSBC Canada Women's Sevens 2022
7 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Australia clinch overall 2022 series title while late Lily Dick try gives them Cup win in Langford

Hosts Canada took fifth place while Ireland flyer Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe bagged 12 tries as they won bronze in the HSBC Canada Sevens in Langford.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Mon 2 May, 2022
7 min read
HSBC Canada Women's Sevens 2022
5 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Australia edge towards HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series glory in Langford as New Zealand provide thrills on return

Australia are closing in on the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series title after a perfect start to the penultimate event of the season in Canada, while the Black Ferns came back with a bang at the Starlight Stadium.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Sun 1 May, 2022
5 min read
HSBC Canada Women's Sevens 2022
3 min read

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Captains on top of the world ahead of the HSBC Canada Women's Sevens in Langford

The HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series returns to the home of Rugby Canada after a 1,083 day break as Australia look to clinch their first Series title since to 2018.

HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series

Fri 29 April, 2022
3 min read
Santiago Gómez Cora
5 min read

rugby sevens

Santiago Gómez Cora: “You have to be patient, trust a lot and do the hard work”

World Rugby caught up with Los Pumas Sevens coach about Argentina’s recent win in the HSBC Canada Sevens and what it means to him going forward.

rugby sevens

Thu 28 April, 2022
5 min read
Charlotte Caslick
3 min read

HSBC Sevens Series

Series title within Australia’s reach as the HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series returns to Langford

We spoke to Australia co-captain Charlotte Caslick about her team's mindset heading into this weekend's HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series stop in Langford knowing they can wrap up the series title.

HSBC Sevens Series

Wed 27 April, 2022
3 min read
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