Laporte lashes out at Villepreux

France coach Bernard Laporte has angrily hit back at his predecessor Pierre Villepreux following his criticism of the current France team.

France have won both their opening RBS 6 Nations matches but the narrow margins of victory have left the critics muttering at the quality of the performances.

Laporte did not mince his words in a stinging rebuke of Villepreux who led France to the 1999 World Cup final before being replaced by Laporte.

The current boss of Les Bleus worked under Villepreux, who was the French Rugby Federation’s technical director between 2000 and 2003, and the relationship between the men was reported to be tense.

Laporte, speaking on Sud Radio, said: “I’m looking at who is preaching and, for example, it’s Pierre Villepreux, but for me, one day I will reveal what the players have said about Pierre Villepreux.

“Let’s not forget he played southern hemisphere teams nine times and he only won once. (Former France captain) Fabien Galthie told me he is the worst coach he has ever had.

“It is necessary to settle this for all those who never won anything, who are trying to preach to us and he is the first.

“I will encourage people to speak out because they are ready to speak.

“All these people make me laugh. I prefer people who are constructive rather than those who always look to destroy. He (Villepreux) is not the only one, but I will look after the others afterwards.”

Villepreux laughed off Laporte’s remarks, saying on www.lequipe.fr: “I have always said what I think about the game. I am a rugby man, a PE teacher, I have educated many kids and numerous players and retained my right to free speech no matter who is coach.

“I do not agree with the way we are playing and I am not the only one. The rugby played in the last two matches does not please me.

“The French team needs to feed off criticism. There is no shame in playing badly.”

France have claimed narrow victories in both their opening RBS 6 Nations matches, beating Scotland 16-9 in Paris and then England 18-17 at Twickenham.

They have only scored one try in those matches and that was a fortuitous effort by Damien Traille to win the match against the Scots.