France coach Philippe Saint-Andre has vowed to banish a “difficult” 2013 to history and make this year one of “effectiveness” from his team.
France’s miserable 2013 saw them lose eight out of 11 internationals, winning just two and drawing one.
Their only two victories were home tests against Scotland (23-16) in March and Tonga (38-18) in November.
But Saint-Andre claims last year was one of transition and that his side is gearing up for bigger and better this time around.
“2013 was a more than a difficult year from a results point of view,” he told France Televisions on Tuesday at a presentation event for the Six Nations, which begins next month.
“We embarked on a new cycle, a new generation and the apprenticeship was painful.
“I hope this year will be the year of effectiveness.”
France finished bottom of last year’s Six Nations championship for the first time and it was their first wooden spoon since the last Five Nations championship in 1999.
But Saint-Andre points to the standard of opposition Les Bleus faced last year as a hint of a silver lining to the dark clouds of 2013.
Four of their defeats came against world champions and undisputed world number ones New Zealand, while they also lost to second-ranked South Africa.
Defeats to fourth-ranked England and sixth-ranked Wales – France are ranked fifth – are also forgivable but the 23-18 reverse away to Italy (13th) is the one result that really sticks in the throat.
“We’ve got greater aptitude, greater experience. We’re lucky to have played four times against the world champions and against South Africa,” added Saint-Andre.
“We gleaned experience against the two best teams in the world. Now we have to show that on the field; it’s good to battle the best, but it’s better to beat them.”
France’s new season begins with the visit of England on February 1 to the Stade de France in their opening Six Nations match.
Lazza
Guest
You sent a video in French?!? Now that is arrogant! Lol. From what I observed most of the rulings were interpreted wrong! Typical. The all blacks won the 2011 World Cup fairly & squarely. No other team in the world could have won that World Cup having gone through the same adversity as that team...
Roarer
Guest
You French shouldn't have even been in the final. Had to have your own supporter as a referee in the semi's. Now, that's unfair. The AB's were just too good for you and it is only right that they won the cup to prove what everyone knew all along..the AB's are the best in the world.
Ben.S
Roar Guru
Dumb and dumber.
ScotandProud
Guest
Does anyone have any views on France's chances/ tactics under Saint Andre?
BILLY
Guest
MCCAW spends half the game on the french side??? OMG WOW . .New Zealanders know the world doesn`t consider them 2011 RWC world champs..FRENCH WERE ROBBED!!
Ben.S
Roar Guru
Is thisWellington Jerry?
soapit
Guest
comparing the ranted about behaviour to that of the ranters stated nation. a fairly reasonable divergence assuming we arent banned from criticising nz in any way shape or form.
Jerry
Guest
There were claims of testicle grabbing and other unsavoury acts (you might recall there were similar claims in the final leading to John Eales threatening to walk his team off the pitch) so perhaps the team wasn't feeling all that charitable towards the French. A bit like when people criticized Richie McCaw for not mentioning the French after the 2011 final when he'd been eye gouged.
Jerry
Guest
Some NZ players may have the odd moment that might be described as arrogant, but I'm yet to see an NZ team disrespect their opponents and fans the way the French do time and time again - by not trying. Add to that the fact that they're up there amongst the leaders when it comes to dirty play and thuggery and I think Lazza's comments are entirely justified.
Chan Wee
Guest
yep, I remember the one when they lost to France in a world cup (correct me if i'm wrong) and then only Lomu went on to the pitch to shake hands and others just walked off. as for swapping jerseys; that is EPL thing. nowadys they do it at half time !!!! and most think its duh !!!
Aussikiwi
Guest
Haha, when you say in a thread about the French the national team, "talking of arrogance....ABs... Israel Dagg, Ritchie McCaw, ....blah blah", then add in the slur that "a number of (anonymous) players have noted ....(kiwi unpleasantness)........", perhaps you might be looking for arguments? Or is knocking the ABs and kiwis just your default mode?
allblackfan
Guest
Bitter much?? But we understand; there was no greater tragedy for us than the 2007 WC quarter-final. At least here we had a ref who knew that forward passes are illegal! I watched only the first minute of this video, As far as the first scrum shown, even I could see that the French tighthead prop failed to use his free arm to bind with his opposite when the scrum engaged, That scrum went to ground because of the French prop decided to engage using only his shoulder with the inevitable result!! I don't know how rugby is played in the T14 but that's not how the rest of the world plays it!!
Adrien
Guest
You kiwis didn't deserve to win the 2011 WC. Even before the tournament kicked off it was all decided you were gonna be awarded the title. For several reasons including that the country was in crisis, it was the last time it'd ever host a major event and also because of the tragic earthquake that happened earlier in the year in Christchurch. Every calls in the finale went against France, we should have won if only the referee had grown some balls but as i said it was all decided before the event started. Here's a video that "dissect" every contentious play or calls that went wrong for us or went unnoticed by the referee : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5p1YkXbWZg0 It was all a big comedy this world cup, you should have never won it, you kiwis only perform in useless games such as Test matches or even Four nations (where it doesn't draw real interest). But when it comes to big games you always choke. Cheers.
Magic Sponge
Guest
France grand slam champs
Harry Jones
Guest
To be fair to our Kiwi friends, the ABs lose so infrequently, they have very little practice being gracious losers.
Ben.S
Roar Guru
Do you just scout this site looking for arguments? I think you do. I think you need to calm down. Not odd considering the first sentence of the rant reveals the character to be an All Black fan. Also, not odd when the character refers to perceived arrogance.
Tane Mahuta
Guest
Saint-Andre should do France a solid and retire.
Tane Mahuta
Guest
Odd that youd turn the conversation against NZ. Author -"Hey what about France?" Ben.S.- "yeah NZ bla bla bla" I think you want to chop a tall poppy or 2 down.
Ben.S
Roar Guru
Talking of arrogance, Israel Dagg refused to sap shirts with Alex Goode after England walloped them in 2013, and a number of players from the 2000-2004 period have noted how unpleasant some of the All Blacks were of that period. Richie McCaw isn't exactly sport's most graceful man either.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Strong words there Lazza! ;) IMO the Tonga and Argentina losses are completely different: the Pumas have always been a tough opponent for us and they are greatly respected in France. Its just that they were better than us on this day full stop. No way it was arrogance, no team would take for granted an opening game at their rwc against the argies, even the French! Vs Tonga, they were already qualified (at 99%) and just didn't turn up. Again, I don't think its arrogance but more complacency and laziness. It's something that the ABs excel at, always turning up, but pretty much any other top side, including the Boks and wallabies, experience sometimes. And its true that the French are the champs for 'not turning up'. Its cultural, like we don't play away games the same way we do at home. Sure it is an issue but I don't think its arrogance. Am not going to argue about the 'dirty tactics' part of your post. Again, I really don't think the French, either the public or these players, are arrogant enough to think they just have to be 'on the pitch' to win against most sides. They have lost against Italy, Tonga, the Pumas and all other teams ranked above them in the last few years, they have won the 6N wooden spoon, they know, we know they aren't that good. I think you are completely misunderstanding them/us culturally and even a 'see you in the final' was surely said tongue in cheek (considering how chaotic the group was under Lievremont). we are an arrogant nation/ppl, not in rugby I think.