Guy Noves wants France to put teams away in Six Nations after series of close games
Wednesday 25 January 2017 15:47, UK
Guy Noves wants France to become more ruthless in the Six Nations when it comes to finishing off opponents.
The France coach lamented Les Bleus' tendency to let line breaks and attacking platforms go begging, and has demanded an instant change in mindset.
France open their Six Nations campaign by facing England at Twickenham on February 4 with Noves expecting a fierce encounter.
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"Our expectations this year are to build a team that continues to improve constantly, to get closer to our opponents," said Noves.
"Last year we had matches we lost that we could have won, and vice versa. We're not that far from our opponents, but we must be more efficient.
"We cross the advantage line more than others, but we do not score, we don't achieve really, so the ratio is not very good. We have to try to reverse this ratio, and we must be killers in some areas so that we can chase wins."
France lost to both Australia and New Zealand in the autumn, but both matches were turned on late scores for the visitors.
Now head coach Noves has challenged his side to move their development to the next level.
"We evolved during the Six Nations but also in the autumn against Australia and New Zealand," Noves added. "Some areas, it was the last two or three metres where we missed.
"What I mean by killers, I want my players to finish the actions they've started. And now the players are aware of that, they are aware also of what they are capable of achieving.
"And they know what to focus on, which is also very important. We're beyond halfway through this development, but now we have to be more consistent, more clinical and be able to finish our chances."
