Guy Novès has been sacked as France coach and replaced by Jacques Brunel.

Novès was in charge for 21 Tests over the past two years, of which Les Bleus won just seven, lost 13 and drew one.

Novès’ assistants, Yannick Bru (forwards) and Jean-Frederic Dubois (backs) have also lost their jobs.

‘I wish it had lasted all the way to [the 2019 World Cup in] Japan with Guy and his staff but at some point, something had to be done,’ FFR president Bernard Laporte said in a statement.

‘We could not stay that way anymore and we took our responsibility. This is a painful situation for him and for us but we could not continue like this.

‘Several people could have aspired to [the job] but I know Jacques Brunel well. He has the experience. He is the person who can shoulder this heavy responsibility.’

Brunel coached Perpignan to the Top 14 title in 2008-09, and was in charge of Italy from 2011 to 2016 before joining Bordeaux.

Photo: Stu Forster/Getty Images