France coach Philippe Saint-Andre has launched a scathing attack on his own players following a lacklustre Six Nations defeat to Wales, saying his team has become “the Father Christmas of international rugby” because it gives away so many points.
His voice trembling with emotion, Saint-Andre looked on the verge of tears as he said “international rugby is about combat, humility. But above all it’s a collective sport. We don’t need starlets. In rugby, the team is the star and we need champions.”
France narrowly beat Scotland at home in its opener but lost 18-11 to Ireland and 20-13 to Wales, who have now won four straight against the French.
Next up is a tricky away match in Italy followed by a full-blooded showdown with England at Twickenham.
pjm
Roar Rookie
Englands flankers and centre's were horrible, surely Sammy Burgess can score a spot.
Harry Jones
Expert
FR is playing very individually. Not uniting the collective force of their very fine players. I tend to blame coaching, when I see that.
Kia Kaha
Roar Guru
I just Google imaged preemptive strike and PSA was the first image that came up.
Bakkies
Guest
Atonio is a good enough scrummager but is very tall even for a tight head prop. The pitch doesn't help if you go in to to low. The ref was very sympathetic about it. They didn't scrum well as a unit from start to finish. Went to ground a lot and it wasn't too cold or wet. Sooner the new stadium in Paris is built the better. The SdF pitch is very soft and dangerous. The amount of turf dug up at scrum time is going to lead to a bad injury. That's what happened to Kepu and Dunning at Wembley in the BaaBaas game. You could tell it was going to happen with the amount of grass chewed up.
Tissot Time
Guest
The THP that finished the game for France looked very ordinary with terrible height at scrum time.
Bakkies
Guest
I wouldn't blame that. That's to simple. PSA has always been a conservative coach you have to build a team with patterns. Now that he has stopped swapping and changing he needs to start working on plans to get the best out of what he sees as his best unit. The depth is there in case of injury. Watch them against Wales they kick away possession off one or two phases rather than build like Wales did, run in to contact with men outside on a overlap off turnover ball and chip kick more than once poorly from their own 22. The second time it led to the Welsh try. That bar lhp and say number 8 was a very strong French team leaving out the likes of Picamoles, Szarzewski, Lesgourgues, Lauret, Fickou, Plisson, etc who have played good Rugby this season. You can't blame the foreigners on that.
WAYNE
Guest
What do you expect when u stack your domestic comp with OLD FOREIGN RUGBY MERCENARIES ..NO SYMPATHY..
Tissot Time
Guest
Agree France were ordinary better to concentrate on club rugby. Ireland looking very good with their kicking game execution and breakdown engagement. England's slow loosies nowhere to be seen when Vunipola breaks out with 36 coming on to create confusion for his own team. Looking forward to the clash in Cardiff.