In a hole: Philippe Saint-André
France coach Philippe Saint-André conceded that Wales had been better side following Saturday's Six Nations 16-6 defeat in Paris.
Les Bleus became the first French team since 1982 to lose their opening two games of the championship and with trips to Twickenham and Dublin still on the cards, a wooden spoon is a distinct possibility for the side that went unbeaten in the November Tests.
"We can't win the title, but we can win respect," said Saint-André in anticipation of the clash with England in a fortnight, calling on his players to display the type of resilience the Welsh had shown to end their losing streak.
"We have to accept the Welsh came here on an eight-game losing run and won and we give them credit for that. We had two clear chances to score and we didn't take them.
"We are going through a difficult time at the moment, we need to accept that. We're not inspiring anyone. Amongst other errors, we massacred the balls we managed to get through turnovers.
"But we have to work harder and lift ourselves. We will have to perform a smash-and-grab raid at Twickenham in a fortnight."
The former France captain refused to enter into a debate over whether the overloaded Top 14 programme was to blame for his player lackluster performance.
"I won't go into that here. There should be no excuses on that part," he said.
"We are in a magical competition, it's what you dream about being involved in as a player and is why I wanted to play rugby.
"The simple fact is the Welsh were more reactive, more aggressive and they outnumbered us 2-1 when it came to tackling our player with the ball.
"They stopped us from liberating the ball, something we were very good at doing back in November (when they won all three Tests, including against Australia and Argentina).
"The calendar is due to be discussed in June by the league, the federation and the players and I hope everybody shoulders his responsibilities.
"We were flying in November but now it's very tough. We are bottom of the table but we have to recover our precision and our spirit and not give up.
"We must not be scared. England at Twickenham is a fantastic challenge. You can fight for pride and show desire, and we need to do that in two weeks' time."
Skipper Thierry Dusautoir was despondent.
"Losing at home is not good, but you cannot expect to win if you cannot convert your opportunities," he said. "If we can't score when we have the ball then there is always the risk of the other team scoring."
Comments
RobinMasters says...
Couldn't agree more, Froggy73, there is still plenty of time for anything to happen (and we can always trust the French on that matter, can't we?).
Posted 20:37 11th February 2013
darthbok says...
the biggest problem is that french players are made to look good at their clubs when playing off, and with international glitterati , and yes , those teams DO rely on those players to get them out of trouble. that`s why they bought them. Playing all together as frenchmen , none of them want to be playmakers. Its been bred out of them -----
Posted 08:42 11th February 2013
darthbok says...
the biggest problem is that french players are made to look good at their clubs when playing off, and with international glitterati , and yes , those teams DO rely on those players to get them out of trouble. that`s why they bought them. Playing all together as frenchmen , none of them want to be playmakers. Its been bred out of them -----
Posted 08:40 11th February 2013
froggy73 says...
@RobinMaster: relax. The world cup in in 2 years and a half. Everything can (and will) happen until then. Look at what happened just within 4 months for France !!
Posted 18:48 10th February 2013
melkdave says...
The T14 programe doesnt help France,thats a fact.But PSAs selections are most probily to blame for their utter lack of leadership,and direction yeserday.Dustitoir atm is absolute rubbish.Just doesnt look match fit or interested..Also once again F.Mitchlak proved his just not consistent at FH and lacks invention,while having so many players not in their prefered positions is just madness.As an englishmen im hoping France continue in ther present vein,but im expecting a backlash,because they are going t be cruified in the media and by the fans.So expecting a team more like this
15)Butlin 14)O;Connor 13)Basteruand 12)Fontana 11Fail 10)Trin-Duc /M.Parra 9)Mitchlak 8)Picolmoles 7)Nyanga 6)Ouendargo 50Matani )Pape 3)Duclaron 2)Kayser1)Mas
Posted 14:59 10th February 2013
atg77 says...
His selections are the biggest problem... doesn't help with the top 14 full of foreigners either.
Posted 13:09 10th February 2013
sirtidychris says...
Whatever happens the french will win the six nations next year, they always do after the lions tour with the best british and irish players either injured or exhausted from 18month continous rugby !
Posted 12:18 10th February 2013
RobinMasters says...
The draw for the next WC pools now looks different, we'll have to beat Italy and Ireland...who sees France get to the QF? Not even the players, I reckon.
It is still time to change the old guard (regardless of age) for more motivated players, or at least ones that would be able to make up a REAL team (instead of lining up a bunch of weary stars).
Posted 11:34 10th February 2013
Monkeyboy says...
Interesting comment at the end about the French discussing their calendar in June. Is it too much to hope for that they can tie this in with the HC revision so we can hopefully get a sensibly structured northern hemisphere season? I hope the home nations can see the sense in this as well.
Posted 10:11 10th February 2013
bluechief says...
only going through a difficult time because of his selections! get michalak out of there! get Parra on the field from the start and put fofana, the best centre in europe, in his correct position! the pack is fine, but the team need direction. look to parra and trihn duc...
Posted 10:04 10th February 2013