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Coach denies doping culture

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Philippe Saint-Andre (AFP)
Philippe Saint-Andre (AFP)

Marcoussis - Former France captain and current head coach Philippe Saint-Andre on Wednesday denied accusations in a new book that the team were huge consumers of amphetamines during the 1980's.

"Our doping was passion, the desire to play, to make passes and also the enjoyment of drinking two or three beers after the match with our fans," Saint-Andre said at the French team camp in Marcoussis, where they are preparing to face Wales in Six Nations action on Saturday.

"I drank two espressos before playing. How many people drink two espressos before going to work? The adrenaline which followed was the desire to play, make passes, fight and put a stiff tackle on an Englishman to make him squeal," said Saint-Andre, who made 69 appearances for France between 1990 and 1997.

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