Saint-Andre calls for cut in France's foreign legion

France coach Philippe Saint-Andre repeated his call for a cut in the number of foreign players in French rugby after a 23-13 loss to England left his side rooted to the foot of the Six Nations table.

Although a team showing seven changes and a positional switch from the one beaten by champions Wales produced a much improved performance at Twickenham, they couldn't prevent pre-tournament favourites France suffering a third straight defeat.

This latest reverse meant 'Les Bleus' had lost their opening three matches for the first time in the Six Nations, something no France side had experienced in Championship terms since an equally poor start to the 1982 Five Nations.

A superb solo try by Wesley Fofana, moved back into the centre from the wing, helped France into a 10-9 interval lead, with recalled scrum-half Morgan Parra kicking a conversion and a penalty.

However, Parra missed penalties either side of half-time and England, thanks to a try from Manu Tuilagi, saw the Grand Slam-chasers establish a decisive seven-point lead.

Early on, France fly-half Francois Trinh-Duc, in for Frederic Michalak (who later came off the bench), produced some neat touches.

But with the likes of England great Jonny Wilkinson as well as fellow overseas fly-halves Juan Martin Hernandez, James Hook, Brock James, Luke McAllister, Paul Warwick, David Kirkpatrick, Gavin Hume and Felipe Contepomi all operating in France's Top 14, with Ireland's Jonathan Sexton set to join Racing Metro next season, Saint-Andre made no apologies for flagging up an issue he also raised during Les Bleus' victorious November campaign.

“We need to be careful about our league and leave some space for French players,” he said.

Reflecting on the match, Saint-Andre said France had paid the price for failing to take their chances.

AFP