France coach Saint-Andre strong on principle, short on results

Philippe Saint-Andre swept into the post of France rugby coach promising to instil the principles of his French Resistance grandfather in players and restore order to an unpredictable national team.

Four years on the personable 48-year-old may have succeeded in imposing the principles but has failed lamentably to deliver rhythm or consistency to team performances.
The extent of his inability to deliver on the pitch the same dashing style of play he provided as a player -- he scored one of the most memorable tries of all time at Twickenham in 1991 -- is reflected in France's expectations at the World Cup.

His predecessor, Marc Lievremont, unbelievably took France to the final of the 2011 World Cup. Muhammad Ali probably had the best words for French hopes in England: "Slim and none. And slim is right out of town."

Saint-Andre was one of France's most distinguished players. When he ended his career in 1997 his 32 tries made him France's second highest scorer, though he has since been overtaken by Vincent Clerc.

Saint-Andre is fondly nicknamed "Le Goret" (Piglet) for the manner in which he put his head down and snuffled towards the tryline.

The habit persists as he fields questions at press conferences. More often than not his head drops and he looks at the table surface, sometimes appearing to be on the verge of tears, sighing deeply and sounding as if he has a frog in his throat.

- Doubts about Piglet -
There have been many sighs as his overall record as coach reads a modest 17 wins, two draws and 21 defeats. Those who thought Lievremont was random in his selection policy see Saint-Andre as a serial chopper and changer, notably with his pivotal positions of the halfback pairing.

Despite his thick skin, Saint-Andre has sometimes found it impossible to bite his tongue and former France coach Bernard Laporte received a blast after he dared question his strategy.

"My policy having been France captain (34 times in 69 tests) and played for France has been to never criticise the French team," he said, during another poor Six Nations campaign in 2013.

"Others obviously have different principles. I have certainly learnt over this Six Nations who my real friends are."

Saint-Andre's principles have always been clear and admirable but probably more suited to a non-sporting environment than to inspire a winning mentality in his players.

However, he told AFP in 2013 that what his grandmother told him about his grandfather, mayor of the village of La Chapelle-en-Vercors, who was executed by the Nazis along with 15 other resistants found hiding in a cave on July 25, 1944, had set the tone for part of his training regime.

"I spent all my childhood with my grandmother, hence why she is like a second mother to me, and listening to the story about my grandfather instilled a certain pride in me," said Saint-Andre.

"I have tried to impress on the players that it is fundamental to have pride, show respect and also be polite.

"In France we have started to forget those important characteristics. I tell them it is important to have pride in the French jersey and I have also tried to put more structure into their lives such as punctuality.

"We are privileged and when I hear the guys complain I feel it reflects that we are in an overspoiled world.

"They should realise how lucky they are. I feel in today's society we have forgotten these basic principles which my grandfather and his comrades possessed.

"At the base of it I believe that if you're a good man you will be a good player.

"They (the Resistance) had courage and they knew how to take responsiblity which is essential for the players to possess too," he said.
Source: AFP