I donned the bullet-proof vest, says Philippe Saint-Andre

Coach Philippe Saint-Andre urged French rugby supporters to cast aside their doubts about him and rally behind his squad as they head to England for the rugby World Cup.

Saint-Andre, who faced widespread calls to quit in March after a lacklustre French showing in the Six Nations, said criticism went with the job and all that mattered now was that supporters united behind Les Bleus.

“For three and a half years it’s been tough and complicated,” Saint-Andre said on the eve of his team’s departure for London and the tournament in which they were runners-up four years ago before he took over.