The next coach of France's national rugby team must be home-grown, said French rugby clubs in a poll released on Friday over whether a foreigner should manage the squad, reports Radio France Internationale.
Bernard Laporte, the boss of the French rugby federation (FFR), sought out the opinion of the 1,742 clubs throughout the land as part of his drive for re-election in 2020.
Nine hundred clubs responded to his request and 59 percent said they did not want an outsider directing operations even though countries such as Wales, Ireland and England have won the Six Nations continental title under foreign coaches.
That means Jacques Brunel's successor after the 2019 World Cup in Japan will be home grown.
"I will respect this choice," said Laporte.
France are not considered among the favourites for the World Cup in September. They came fourth in the 2019 Six Nations tournament after two victories and three losses in their five matches.