France coach Bernard Laporte will step down after the 2007 World Cup.

"One thing is for sure, I shall not be France's selector and I shall not take over a club," he said in a magazine interview published in France today.

"Rugby is my passion but I have to think about my business interests. I want to do something else".

The 41-year-old took over the national side after the 1999 World Cup and under his leadership, France has won 41 games, lost 26 and drawn twice.

His side has won the Six Nations championships three times, including Grand Slams in 2002 and 2004, as well as reaching the semi-finals of the 2003 World Cup in Australia.

France will host the 2007 World Cup, where bookmakers have installed them as second favourites behind New Zealand.