Saint-Andre defends Pape over knee on Heaslip

France coach Philippe Saint-Andre has defended Pascal Pape after he was yellow carded for kneeing Jamie Heaslip in their 18-11 defeat in Dublin.



Pape was sin-binned for kneeing Heaslip in a ruck in the Sisx Nations encounter, with Ireland's No.

8 now a serious injury doubt to face England on March 1 with back trouble.

Head coach Saint-Andre claimed his experienced lock's challenge was an accident, but conceded the second-half incident cost Les Bleus any chance of victory in the Irish capital.



"When you watch the images of the incident I don't think you can say it was deliberate," sa…