Skip to content

France No 8 Louis Picamoles fed up with losing after Springboks defeat

Dejected France No 8 Louis Picamoles after their loss to South Africa
Image: Louis Picamoles says France are disappointed and angry after their latest loss

Louis Picamoles says France are fed up with losing after suffering a seventh reverse in 10 matches this year against South Africa.

France were punished for Baptiste Serin's sin-binning midway through the second half, conceding 10 points during that 10-minute period before falling to a narrow 18-17 defeat.

Having now lost 13 of 20 Tests since Guy Noves took charge, Picamoles says it is starting to get to him.

"It's hard to digest because it's a match we should have won and we lost because of too many mistakes," said the Montpellier No 8.

"It's starting to get annoying because we keep making life harder for ourselves.

France's players react after defeat in the friendly rugby union international Test match between France and South Africa's Springboks at The Stade de Franc
Image: France have lost seven of their 10 Test matches in 2017

"South Africa were takeable but in certain key moments we made mistakes. No-one's giving us presents but we keep giving them away.

"We're disappointed, we're angry because we're fed up with losing."

Also See:

Saturday's defeat at the Stade de France could prove costly as Picamoles and flanker Kevin Gourdon both suffered twisted ankles in the first five minutes.

South Africa's wing Dillyn Leyds (C) scores a try during the friendly rugby union international Test match between France and South Africa's Springboks at
Image: Dillyn Leyds scored the Springboks' first try

Picamoles finished the match but Gourdon came off after 53 minutes and is considered a major doubt for next week's final autumn Test against 2019 World Cup hosts Japan.

Lock Paul Gabrillagues also lasted only five minutes against the Boks before heading off for a head injury assessment and never returning to the field.

He will undergo more tests before he can be passed fit to play.

Saturday's clash will be the first on the new synthetic pitch at the Nanterre Arena, just to the west of Paris, that will become the new home of Racing 92.

Around Sky