France drop Picamoles over lack of respect for referee

France coach Philippe Saint-Andre dropped number eight Louis Picamoles from his squad to face Scotland next week because he showed a lack of respect towards referee Alain Rolland during last Friday’s loss to Wales.

The Toulouse forward appeared to mockingly applaud Rolland after the Irish referee gave him a yellow card during the 27-6 Six Nations defeat, followed by a thumbs-up gesture.

“After that defeat we have made a number of changes due to injuries and to cover problems we noticed in the match in Cardiff,” Saint-Andre told the France Rugby Federation website.

“Certain attitudes out on the pitch towards the refereeing group have no place whatsoever in our sport.

“Respect is the foundation of our values. It is important to send a signal to all players who have the privilege of wearing the jersey and remind them it imposes duties and obligations.”

Wesley Fofana and Yannick Nyanga were also left out of the 30-man squad due to rib and groin injuries while Marc Andreu and Ibrahim Diarra were dropped.

Clermont scrum half Morgan Parra has been recalled, although he faces a disciplinary hearing after receiving a red card for head-butting a Montpellier player at the weekend.