Coach Philippe Saint-Andre urged French rugby supporters to cast aside their doubts about him and rally behind his squad as they head to England this weekend for the World Cup.

Saint-Andre, who faced widespread calls to quit in March after a lackluster French showing in the Six Nations, said criticism went with the job and all that mattered now was that supporters united behind Les Bleus.

France face Italy in their first match on September 19 and Saint-Andre said his goal was to win the group so they most likely meet Argentina rather than New Zealand in the knockout phase.