Saint-Andre to take reins from Lièvremont

PHILIPPE SAINT-ANDRE will take over from Marc Lièvremont as the French rugby coach after the world cup.

Reports of Saint-Andre’s appointment have been documented across the French media since the start of the week but the French rugby federation (FFR) made it official yesterday.

“The steering committee, which met today [Thursday] at the headquarters of the FFR in Marcoussis, has approved the appointment of Philippe Saint-Andre as the next coach of the XV of France,” said the federation in a statement.

Saint-Andre takes over from Lievremont who has been in position since replacing Bernard Laporte after the 2007 World Cup. He will begin his new role on December 1 with his first match against Italy in the Six Nations on February 4. Saint-Andre won 69 caps for France between 1990 and 1997, captaining them 34 times.