French skipper aims broadside at Wales after World Cup loss
DEPARTING France captain Guilhem Guirado has fired an astonishing broadside at Wales, claiming they were “s **** ing their pants” during Sunday’s World Cup quarter-final.
Footage has emerged of Guirado’s post-match address to players and staff in the dressing room at the Oita Stadium following his team’s dramatic 20-19 defeat.
It’s part of fly-on-the-wall coverage by leading French broadcasters TF1.
During the clip, hooker Guirado
(pictured), who has now announced his retirement from international rugby, talks for some six minutes.
He reflects on the quarter-final and delivers a rallying call to his players for the future.
Midway through, he turns to Wales and provides a far from flattering assessment.
“They are the first or second in the world? Seriously?,” he asks.
“They were s **** ing their pants all match.
“In the first half, they looked at each other, they said to themselves ‘Who is this? Who is this crazy team?’”
He pays tribute to his own players, saying: “Guys, I just wanted to say that I was proud of you. I didn’t see us going out this evening. I thought that we would win.”
In a moving speech, Guirado urges the youngsters in the team to learn from the mistakes of their predecessors and fulfil their potential.
“For a long time we have lost because of the same errors,” said the Montpellier front rower.
“But for the young guys who are carrying on, what I can promise you is that what we do, there is no team who can do that, not even the All Blacks. Look me in the eyes, not even the All Blacks.
“There are little things that seem inconsequential, but at international level you pay dearly. It’s being a metre too tight, a ball you try to turn over, a scrum with seven men when you need to be eight.
“All you young guys, look at me. We’ve gone through hard times, but now it’s over.
“I will be your number one supporter. You have to correct those little errors. You know how to play rugby, you have the talent.”
“I’m proud to have represented you, I’m proud to have played alongside you. I’m proud also to be hanging them up because I’m old now!”
At the end of his rousing address, he received a round of applause from both team-mates and staff, having been clapped into the dressing room, along with fellow retiree Louis Picamoles.
The footage in a huddle begins with French second row Sebastien Vahaamahina apologising for the costly red card he picked up for an elbow to the head of Aaron Wainwright.
He declares: “I completely dropped a b ***** k, I believe. It’s hard. Frankly, it’s indefensible.”
The 28-year-old Vahaamahina has also announced his retirement from Test rugby in the wake of the last eight loss to
Wales. ■ More World Cup: Pages 40&41