French rugby boss backs under-fire coaching staff

French rugby chief Pierre Camou has given his backing to Les Bleus’ under-fire coaching set-up following the team’s 34-10 thrashing by England in the RBS 6 Nations at the weekend.

Head coach Marc Lievremont, as well as his assistants Didier Retiere and Emile Ntamack, have come in for as much criticism as their players after France’s drubbing at Twickenham on Sunday.

But Camou, the newly-elected president of the French Rugby Federation (FFR), insists he will not do anything rash.

“If I have things to say, I will say it to them,” he said in 'L’Equipe'.

“But it will not be by shouting, by throwing things around, and certainly not in the press.

“In every defeat, there are lessons to learn. What would be more annoying is if we don’t take these lessons.

“It is what everyone keeps asking – a resignation, what an idea! That is very French.

“I don’t want to add problems to problems. I am staying calm.”

Camou, who took over as FFR president at the end of 2008, spoke to the staff and the players in the dressing room in Twickenham after Sunday’s match.

He believes there was an over-reaction after Les Bleus’ 21-16 victory against Wales in Paris a fortnight and a half ago, and felt the hangover lasted until the England match.

“I’m not happy with the way the team went down – this defeat really hurt, of course,” Camou added.

“But, deep down, I am not surprised. It is a bad tendency in French rugby. We are world champions before having won a title.

“I said after France-Wales that we had only won one rugby match and that wasn’t against the best team in the world.”

Camou insists France’s target is still getting a team ready to compete for the title in the 2011 World Cup in New Zealand, adding: “This squad has been hit with a hammer blow, it’s clear.

“But me, I am thinking more in terms of duration and our aims. The aim remains 2011.”