France’s new rugby coach Philippe Saint-Andre on Friday unveiled his backroom staff, naming fellow former players Yannick Bru and Patrice Lagisquet as his assistants.
“As we have very little time, I preferred to tighten up the staff in full knowledge that it could change over the coming four years,” said Saint-Andre in his first official press conference since being named as successor to Marc Lievremont.
Saint-Andre, who previously coached Toulon, Sale and Gloucester, starts his international coaching career against Italy at the Stade de France in a Six Nations clash on February 4.
As expected, ex-Toulouse hooker Bru takes the forwards coaching role with Lagisquet leaving Biarritz to oversee the backs.
Antoine Marin will replace Jo Maso as team manager, the latter taking over as head of the selection committee after 16 years in his previous role.
Saint-Andre said he could call up other specialist coaches, notably in the build-up to the next World Cup in England in 2015.
But the former France winger hinted that David Ellis’ services as a defence coach would not be called upon since both he and Lagisquet would fulfill that role.
Saint-Andre, capped 68 times, takes over the head coach’s role from Lievremont, who overcame an apparent split between staff and players to lead his team to the final of this year’s World Cup, which they lost 8-7 to hosts New Zealand.
And Saint-Andre insisted that he wanted his team to play more regularly against the southern hemisphere powers.
“I would love to have three or four Tests in November and play every year against New Zealand, South Africa and Australia,” he said.
“We are a great rugby nation. We’ve made the World Cup final three times (1987, 2003, 2011) but we’ve never got our hands on the trophy.
“To play three countries back to back in November helps prepare players to their best, their speed of execution and putting together a string of high-level matches.”
An initial 30-man squad will be named on January 5, with a three-day camp planned for January 23-25, before it is cut to 23 on January 26 ahead of the opening Six Nations game.
France will travel to Argentina for two Tests on June 16 and 23.
Ben Farrell
Guest
A man with an eye for talent, think Ben Foden who is set to become the worlds best number 15.
KyleAP
Guest
i think france will have some good young players in the team in the next 2 to 3 years, i mean after the 2007 world cup i was thinking the same as you, where's the youth talent. In the backline i think they look a bit thin on depth at the moment, especially on wings and full backs, as there doesn't seem to be alot of kids in those positions breaking into the Top 14 teams right now, that's partly to do with the spending power of the french league i think. Though might change in future. Keeping Theirry Dusoutior as captain is great choice, he's been France's most consistant performer over the past 4 years, and hope it continues, cause i admire his workrate. And think France will be a bit more consistant than they were under Professor 'Nutcase' Lievremont, cause Saint Andre's a better man-manager, but only time will tell
Ben S
Roar Guru
I think Saint-Andre has got a tough job in his hands. This is an ageing French side with Poux, Servat, Mas, Pierre, Nallet, Pape, Bonnaire, Harinordoquy, Dusautoir, Yachvili, Traille, Rougerie, Clerc and Heymans all into their 30s. I don't see many promising youngsters coming through either.
Colin N
Guest
I'm no sure you'll have a soft spot for him after his tenure finishes. Although this might change, the teams he has taken charge of in the past have played some dreary, forward-orientated rugby, despite containing some fantastic backlines.
ThelmaWrites
Guest
Hi Gary! I have a soft spot for Saint-Andre from the time of his post-match interivew after the French victory in the second test in NZ in 1994. He said (in French, but translated) about the fullback, Zadourny, mournfully. "He could have passed the ball to his captain (Saint-Andre was the captain) so I could have scored the try." The try where the ball went through the hands of about 11 French players, and secured a famous victory for the French. "The try from the ends of the world".
Gary Russell-Sharam
Guest
yes your right Thelma. Should be interesting to see how they perform in the 6 nations under the guidance of the new coach
ThelmaWrites
Guest
Oops! "We've made the World Cup finals three times (1987, 2003, 2011)..." Shouldn't that be "1987, 1999, 2011?"