FRANCE COACH Philippe Saint-Andre has warned the public not to expect any major changes in the run-up to the Six Nations after appearing at his first press conference as national team manager.

Saint-Andre has replaced Marc Lievremont, who endured a tempestuous spell at the helm which culminated in the 8-7 defeat by New Zealand in the World Cup final in October.

Given France’s first match of the Six Nations against Italy is less than two months away, Saint-Andre does not expect to make any major changes.

He said: “We are not magicians and we will not revolutionise the game of rugby in France. We must use the strengths from the World Cup squad: good defence, aggression, discipline.”

The former Sale, Gloucester and Toulon coach said he would be looking to utilise lessons he had learned as both player and coach.

He added: “I’ll try to bring all my experience, my experience as a former player and captain, of my 12 seasons at coach and manager level, to bring along all my professional skills and unite the skills and energy of the players and staff.”

The 44-year-old also revealed Yannick Bru and Patrice Lagisquet as his assistants.

Bru has been named as the forwards coach, a job he will take up full-time in June 2012 after completing the season at Toulouse, with Lagisquet combining his role at Biarritz with that of backs coach with the national team.

Meanwhile, Northampton have decided not to appeal against Chris Ashton’s four-week ban.

The England wing was suspended for unsportsmanlike conduct after being found guilty of dragging Leicester’s Alesana Tuilagi off the field by his hair.

The incident, which occurred in the first half of Leicester’s 30-25 Premiership victory at Welford Road, sparked a touchline brawl and led to Tuilagi and Northampton forward Tom Wood being sent off.