Rugby:France rugby coach Marc Lievremont said he was at a "dead end" following the shock defeat to Italy in the Six Nations. Lievremont said he would struggle to put together a squad for this year's World Cup, based on yesterday's showing.

The Azzurri came from 12 points down to beat Les Bleus 22-21 in Rome for the first time in Six Nations history.

"I had promised a few players they would play the World Cup, but it was one defeat too many, we're back to square one," he said today. "We'll have to send 30 guys (to the World Cup) and when I see the performances of France A in June, the performances of some players in the Top 14, I'm at a bit of a dead end."

Fullback Maxime Medard said the players were ashamed by the defeat at the Stadio Flaminio.

"If I had a rope, I'd hang myself," he told French media. "Well, I'm kidding, but I'd like to go and hide somewhere."

"We do not have a team capable of winning the World Cup," added outhalf Francois Trinh-Duc. "We don't seem to be capable of playing together. Everything is unclear. Some players look like they are lost on the pitch."

France, last year's Grand Slam winners, proved clumsy in attack and shaky in defence as Italy showed more desire to go forward. French media were scathing about the defeat, six months before the World Cup starts in New Zealand.

"Total failure", sports daily L'Equipe wrote on its front page while Le Journal du Dimanche described the game as "one defeat too many."

Lievremont is due to announce his squad later today for next weekend's Six Nations game against Wales. Italy head to Scotland next week confident of avoiding another wooden spoon in the Six Nations.

"We've played five good games in the past six months so we are improving gradually," coach Nick Mallett said on Saturday. "A win away from home will be our next step. We're going to Scotland with respect but also with hope."