Players lacked guts, moans Lievremont

FRANCE coach Marc Lievremont said he was at a “dead end” following Saturday’s shock defeat by Italy in the Six Nations.

Lievremont said he would struggle to put together a squad for this year’s World Cup based on the performance, before making six changes to his squad for the next match against Wales, with forward Sebastien Chabal the biggest casualty. “I had promised a few players they would play the World Cup, but it was one defeat too many, we’re back to square one,” he said. “We’ll have to send 30 guys (to the World Cup) and when I see the performances of France A in June, the performances of some players in the Top 14, I’m at a bit of a dead end.

“I feel like I’m responsible for this, but the players lack courage. There is a certain cowardice. When I talk to them, nothing happens. Some of the players maybe wore the France jersey for the last time. They betrayed us, they have betrayed me and they have betrayed the French shirt.