Les Bleus remain without a win in seven RBS 6 Nations matches but victory over Scotland next week will give them a realistic chance of avoiding the wooden spoon.

And while Saint-Andre was the first to admit that their first-half performance in Dublin was not up to scratch, he believes that their second-half response gives him reason for optimism ahead of hosting Scotland in Paris.

“At least we will not be playing to avoid a whitewash next week,” said Saint-Andre.

“This was a match played in very difficult conditions. In the first half with the wind it was not good at all, we lacked intensity in the collisions and were poor defensively.

“The Irish by contrast put together a first-half of real quality.

“In terms of the second half we have to look at as the glass half full, we showed character.

“It’s important to see that the players showed a reaction. Next Saturday we want to play the whole match with that intensity for the full 80 minutes.”