FRANCE FLY-HALF Camille Lopez says the blame lies with the players following Sunday’s humiliating 44-8 loss to England in the Six Nations.
It was les Bleus’ heaviest defeat to an English side since 1911 and means they have only won three from 13 games since Jacques Brunel took over in December 2017.
The Clermont outside-half, 29, admitted the squad take responsibility for the hammering but fingers could also be pointed elsewhere, he suggested.
“We are the first to be at fault, us the players, since we are on the field,” Lopez said afer Sunday’s match.
“But I think it is not just us, and we are not alone in this disaster,” the 20-time international added.
Vice-captain Mathieu Bastareaud was frustrated by the performance which included conceding a first half hat-trick to Leicester winger Jonny May.
“We feel like we’re not moving forward, it’s sad for us. We work during the week and at the weekend we don’t reap the rewards,” the 30-year-old centre said.
“We can’t get disheartened, we represent France. It up to us to lift our heads up. It’s up to us to prove we’re worth more than that,” he added.
Jacques Brunel’s side face Scotland next in the tournament on February 23 in Paris and play England again this year at the World Cup in Japan.
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