Lievremont: Clashed with his squad

Lievremont, who has appeared at odds with his squad throughout the tournament, had asked his players not to go out after the World Cup semi-final win, but a number of his squad decided to disobey his orders.

"I went to bed in a bad mood, because I'd asked the players not to go out," Lievremont said.

"And I found out that a few of them had gone out. So we spoke about it this morning and I told them what I thought of them.

"I told them they are a bunch of spoiled brats. Undisciplined, disobedient, sometimes selfish. Always complaining, always whingeing.

"And it's been like this for four years. It seems to be our way of functioning. I also told them I have a lot of affection for them, but it is a shame they don't look after themselves.

"But at the same time we're in the final. And as I said yesterday we have to believe in this destiny."

Lievremont is worried that Les Bleus have not learned their lessons from previous tournaments - with France having impressed in reaching to reach the 1987 and 1999 finals only to lose out.

And having been part of the 1999 squad that was outplayed in the final following their stunning win over New Zealand in the semi-final, Lievremont is determined to make sure his squad prepare properly this time around.

"We're in the final," Lievremont said. "We have to believe in this destiny.

"The problem is, we are not world champions yet, we're only in the final. Does it really surprise you, my attitude?

"This reminds me of 1999. In '99 we spent four days celebrating our semi-final win. We didn't prepare properly and I don't want us to relive this same thing."