Four years ago an internal revolution helped France make the Rugby World Cup final. Now reportedly the same thing is happening again.
Philippe Saint-André has been "discreetly dismissed" by his players ahead of Saturday's quarter-final according to L'obs Sport – the final low in a rough four-year tenure for the former France international.
France assistant Serge Blanco has also been described by the players in the squad as a “destabilising influence”.
This is nothing new after the way Marc Lièvremont was more or less ignored by his players after their group stage loss to Tonga in 2011.
Saint-André also was photographed being supposedly barged out the way by lock Yoann Maestri after Sunday's loss to Ireland after France had been outplayed.
Guy Novès will take over the national side after the World Cup but if reports are correct then it sounds like the France squad have already moved on from Saint-André's era.
TVNZ also reported on Friday that captain Thierry Dusautoir and senior French players have taken control of running the side.
France face New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup quarter-final on Saturday.