Laporte frustrated at lack of training

FRANCE coach Bernard Laporte is frustrated his squad cannot concentrate fully on the RBS Six Nations Championship because of club commitments.

The French, who meet England in their tournament opener at Twickenham on February 15, have been restricted to just two Monday sessions at their training ground in Marcoussis.

“It is impossible to get the players to focus all their energies on England, because they have commitments with their clubs too,” Laporte said.

The past two sessions have been dedicated to improving France’s defence, with Laporte hailing the benefits of repetitive training.

He added: “Rugby is a mixture of individual and team moves. If one player makes a mistake, the whole team is punished.

“This week we worked on our defence. Next week we will start studying the English system to find their weaknesses.”

On Sunday, Laporte received the Coach of the Year trophy at the International Rugby Board ceremony in London, when captain Fabien Galthie was named Player of the Year and France were voted Team of the Year.

“It really pleased me, but, to be honest, I have already forgotten about it,” Laporte added.

“I even wonder if the English did not do it on purpose, to give us all these trophies early.

“That night we did not see any of them, neither (Clive) Woodward nor the players. Maybe they were training at one o’clock in the morning.”