Noves to stay France coach

Guy Noves will stay on as France coach despite the team’s 3-0 whitewash by South Africa, the French Rugby Federation said.

Saturday’s 35-12 loss was the 11th defeat in 18 games for Noves in charge of the French side, who play world champions New Zealand on Nov. 11. “Guy Noves has my support but I cannot accept that we are now ranked as the eighth best rugby nation in the world,” French rugby president Bernard Laporte said. “Our objective must now be clear, to win three of our four tests in November,” he said.