France coach Bernard Laporte refused to blame the teeming rain and treacherous pitch for his team's 24-7 loss to England in the World Cup semi-finals today.
"We are not going to hide behind the conditions," he said. "When you play rugby union you have to play under the sun and under the rain."
Laporte conceded that the weather had not helped France's cause. "But no excuses," he said. "Our field kicking in the first half wasn't very good.
"Despite that we could have been in the lead at halftime. That's what I told the players in the dressing room.
"In the second half they put us under pressure and we were facing the wind and the rain. They started to master the game. I suppose it's what they would like."
France's discipline, which has been so impressive throughout the tournament, also deserted them today with left wing Christophe Dominici and flanker Serge Betsen both sent from the field for 10-minute spells in the sin-bin.
Dominici foot-tripped Jason Robinson while Betsen was sent off for a late tackle on England flyhalf Jonny Wilkinson, scorer of all England's points.
"I have no problem with the first," Laporte said. "Even if it was a reflex action. The second was a bit harsh, he was on the move."
Laporte paid tribute both to England's performance and to Wilkinson. "They played their territorial game very well," he said.
"Wilkinson had a superb game. He kept England going forward in our territory all the time. Manager Jo Maso said France hoped to play well against the New Zealand in the third place playoff next Thursday.
The All Blacks lost 22-10 to Australia yesterday. "They must be disappointed, they are a great team. I'm still proud of this team, with the team spirit. It was a great human adventure," he said.
"It was a strategic game and we lost it. They were stronger than us and they were better at keeping the ball. Laporte paid tribute to captain and scrumhalf Fabien Galthie, who will retire after the tournament.
"He is the best scrumhalf in French rugby union history," he said, calling for a round of applause for Galthie. Galthie said he did not know yet if he would play on Thursday. "I haven't talked yet with Bernard and Jo," he said.