FRANCE HEAD COACH Philippe Saint-Andre was left deflated after his side’s hopes of a Six Nations Grand Slam were ended by Ireland on Sunday.
The sides played out an entertaining 17-17 draw at the Stade de France, meaning Saint-Andre’s team failed to maintain their 100% record in this year’s competition.
France will be pleased to have taken anything at all out of the game, after trailing by 11 points at the interval, but a try from Wesley Fofana helped France back into the contest. Although he was buoyed by the comeback, Saint-Andre was disappointed not to win.
“We had ambition and high hopes but we have to be sharper,” Saint-Andre said. ”There is no way we can give away points like we did today. Well, that’s if you want to be negative. On a more positive note, they were leading 17-6.
“The team have displayed a lot of talent to come back in the game. But trust me, in the changing rooms, there was a feeling of failure in the air. It didn’t feel like a draw.”
The French welcome England to the Stade de France on Sunday before a potential title decider with Wales in Cardiff on March 17.
