Lievremont at 'dead end' after Italy loss
Source: Agencies |
March 14, 2011, Monday
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Print Edition
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FRANCE coach Marc Lievremont says some of the players who lost to Italy in the Six Nations might have played their last match with the national team.
In the wake of an unexpected and painful 21-22 loss in Rome - the first conceded to Italy by the French in Six Nations history - Lievremont also admitted he doesn't know how to fix the team's problems ahead of the World Cup in New Zealand and is now at a "dead end."
"To put it mildly, I can say I'm disenchanted," Lievremont said. "I had made commitments to some players regarding the World Cup, but everything is up in the air now. Maybe I made some mistakes."
Following November's humiliating 16-59 home defeat to Australia, Lievremont was hoping his players could defend their Six Nations title and rebuild their confidence in the run-up to the World Cup.
But the four games played by France in the tournament so far didn't silence Lievremont's critics.
"I feel like I'm responsible for this, but the players are lacking courage," said Lievremont, who addressed his players for 15 minutes after the defeat. "There is a certain form of cowardice. When I speak with them, nothing happens, as usual. Some of the players maybe wore the France jersey for the last time."
The defeat against Italy ended France's slim hopes of defending the title as Lievremont's team lost a second consecutive match following defeat to England.
In the wake of an unexpected and painful 21-22 loss in Rome - the first conceded to Italy by the French in Six Nations history - Lievremont also admitted he doesn't know how to fix the team's problems ahead of the World Cup in New Zealand and is now at a "dead end."
"To put it mildly, I can say I'm disenchanted," Lievremont said. "I had made commitments to some players regarding the World Cup, but everything is up in the air now. Maybe I made some mistakes."
Following November's humiliating 16-59 home defeat to Australia, Lievremont was hoping his players could defend their Six Nations title and rebuild their confidence in the run-up to the World Cup.
But the four games played by France in the tournament so far didn't silence Lievremont's critics.
"I feel like I'm responsible for this, but the players are lacking courage," said Lievremont, who addressed his players for 15 minutes after the defeat. "There is a certain form of cowardice. When I speak with them, nothing happens, as usual. Some of the players maybe wore the France jersey for the last time."
The defeat against Italy ended France's slim hopes of defending the title as Lievremont's team lost a second consecutive match following defeat to England.
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