PARIS: France coach Philippe Saint-Andre has hit out at his players for not living up to their hype, following a fourth successive defeat to Wales.
France's Six Nations hopes went up in smoke on Saturday as they were beaten in the competition for the second time, going down 20-13 at home to Wales.
With Ireland still unbeaten, it means France, who face away games at Italy and England to see out the tournament, have next to no chance of coming out on top and will likely finish in the bottom half for the fourth year running under Saint-Andre.
The coach has come in for some severe criticism from the French press as his record makes poor viewing -- he has failed to beat Wales, Ireland, New Zealand or South Africa during his tenure and has only presided over one win against England.
Yet he himself believes his players are to blame.
"I've been covering for them for three years. The France jersey should bring out your best, you should be a gladiator," said Saint-Andre.
"The result is that you lose to Wales four times in a row. If some of them think the highest level is too hard, they've got my telephone number.
"There are guys who started three years ago and have 30 or 40 caps now. You have to stop hiding behind smokescreens.
"Your career is forged on the pitch and not in the media posing for photos.
"We don't need little stars. In rugby the team is the star and it needs champions.
"Yesterday (Saturday), I didn't see many champions."
Saint-Andre also blamed the club game, which has more matches than any other major league in the world, for France's failings, suggesting the influx of star foreigners has prevented French players from playing regularly.
"I'd love to be the problem in French rugby, but there are others," he said defiantly.
"And when I'm told to go looking for other players, I reply that the under-20s did the Grand Slam last year but how many are playing in the Top 14?
"There are only three. You have to ask the true questions. If we have to wait until they're 25-26 to play in the Top 14, what can we do?"
Whatever happens, though, Saint-Andre said he will never quit.
"I've never jumped ship, whether as player, captain, manager, coach or father," he said.
"I'll never leave the boat. I was given a role, a position: to prepare this team for the World Cup so we have a great World Cup and I will fight every day to do that. I will die with my convictions."
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