Dusautoir: Harness the anger

Published: Friday, 8. February, 2013 in category Northern Hemishere
France skipper Thierry Dusautoir is urging his side to punish Wales

France captain Thierry Dusautoir has urged his side to harness their frustration when they take on Wales in Paris on Saturday.

The pre-tournament favourites endured a devastating start to this year's Six Nations when they were beaten 23-18 in Italy last Sunday - but Dusautoir has issued a rallying cry.

The Toulouse flanker, who leads Les Bleus in the absence of injured lock Pascal Pape, said: "I don't think the players need my help. They are angry about their performance last weekend. But we have to remember the Italians played a very good game.

"We weren't good enough to win a Six Nations match. I think our pride was hurt enough that we will be able to get ourselves up for the Welsh game.

"It's not the first time that I find myself in this situation, after a defeat in Italy. It's a situation that I know, but there aren't that many solutions for bouncing back. We have four games left.

"We have to tell ourselves that the tournament didn't end in Rome."