Philippe Saint-Andre
France coach Philippe Saint-Andre on Monday gave a strong indication that Saturday’s game against England at Twickenham would be his last match in charge of a Six Nations game.
Asked if that would be the case he replied: “the chances are high that it will be, yes.”
“But I prefer to stay in the present and on this hugely important week ahead of us,” he added.
Saint-Andre, who won 69 caps for France as a wing, took over as France coach after the World Cup of 2011 and his present contract takes him through until the end of this year’s World Cup in England.
“Afterwards (Six Nations) there will be a period of preparation for the World Cup and I will have time to fully consider my future after that.
“I will not decide anything before that. I want to fully experience the moments we will have, with my players, my assistants, some great guys.”
Saint-Andre has struggled to impose himself since he took over and his record of just 15 wins in 36 games is the worst of any French coach.
There were calls for his head after back-to-back Six Nations losses to Ireland and Wales, but Saturday’s 29 / 0 win in Rome over Italy means that the French still have an outside chance of winning the tournament if they can pull off an upset win in England.
Already mentioned as possible replacements for Saint-Andre are former hooker and current manager at Bordeaux, Raphael Ibanez, and former lock and captain Fabien Pelous who is currently coach of the French Under 20 team.
Agence France-Presse