Philippe Saint-André responds to Bernard Laporte: “Being called a crook by Bernard, I take it as a compliment”

Philippe Saint-André a été directeur du rugby du MHR entre janvier 2021 et juin 2023. Midi Libre – JEAN-MICHEL MART

Interrogé dans le Moscato Show sur RMC, Philippe Saint-André a réagi aux propos tenus par son successeur Bernard Laporte à la tête de la direction du rugby du MHR.

Bernard Laporte, as usual, had not spoken in the language of wood. In an interview with Midi Libre, the MHR rugby director pointed out the sporting choices made by his predecessors.

"This team is completely unbalanced, whoever made this team is a crook. I've always said it, it's unacceptable, because we're paying it in cash", declared the former coach at the end of last week. Lack of leaders, training, non-Jiff… All subjects had been discussed.

"It's the manager's choice"

Indirectly targeted by these comments, the former manager of the MHR, Philippe Saint-André, reacted on the RMC channels. "Being called a crook, coming from Bernard Laporte, I take it more as a compliment", first quipped ironically the ex-international winger (69 caps).

Before going into more detail during his argument. " There are 24 internationals in the MHR workforce, including 12 French. There were 26 before, it’s the manager’s choice. Bernard Laporte chose to part ways with Henry Thomas, French champion with us in 2022, Tolu Latu, Australian international who left for La Rochelle, and Paolo Garbisi, whom I recruited at a young age and who, for me, is one of the best fly-halves in Europe, explains PSA.

🎙️ : " Le terme n'est pas approprié."

Vincent reconnait que le terme "escroc" utilisé par Bernard Laporte au sujet des anciens dirigeants du club n'est pas approprié. pic.twitter.com/hqyYZUpVlj

— Super Moscato Show (@Moscato_Show) May 13, 2024

"I'm sad, really, about the situation"

He continues, despite everything, by highlighting the imperfections of the workforce in place. "On leadership, I agree with him (Bernard Laporte), some leaders are missing in this team but we must not forget that in 2022, when we were champion of France, the captain was Yacouba Camara, who is still in the squad and playing, and the vice-captain was Geoffrey Doumayrou [& ;hellip;] I'm sad, really, about the situation. With Jean-Baptiste Elissalde and Olivier Azam, I trained 70% of this squad for 30 months. We experienced a comeback, two titles (one in Challenge and one in Top 14), two quarter-finals of the Champions Cup."

Then PSA concluded by talking about the players. "I know that in this squad there are good guys, very good players, but there is a lack of confidence. But I have so much respect for these players, for the employees of the MHR, for the president, the partners, the supporters. I only hope one thing, that they run away." Never has the beginning of a clash started . "Bernard Laporte took Toulon just after me, he had four titles in a row, he was the best manager in the world, I respect him. There he says it’s my fault. You have to have nuance."