PIERRE BERBIZIER says until Northern hemisphere sides learn the quick ball lesson they will struggle against New Zealand, Australia and South Africa.
"The key difference is moving the ball quickly from the tackle and European sides just don't seem to have adapted to the need to keep the ball alive," the former French rugby union coach said in an interview in l'Equipe.
"France, particularly, seem to have gone backwards," says Berbizier who was sacked by French federation president Bernard Lapasset after France finished third in the 1995 World Cup.
"In 1994 we dominated New Zealand but while their side was allowed to develop ours has been broken up," says Berbizier who claims new coaches Jean Claude Skrela and Jo Maso were took quick to discard flanker Laurent Cabannes, prop Laurent Benezech and scrumhalf Guy Accoceberry.
"In particular, we have fallen back into the bad old habits of disorganised defending and in discipline, within a year of being praised as the best-behaved side in the Five Nations Championship," he added.
Lock Olivier Merle was only warned after punching Christian Loader while centre Richard Dourthe escaped completely after stamping on Leigh Davies in their 40-33 win over Wales in Cardiff last week.
Berbizier dropped Merle after he broke Welsh prop Ricky Evans' leg in the Five Nations game in Paris two years ago.
Berbizier said Dourthe was hugely talented but until he was disciplined he would prove to be more of a handicap. Dourthe was banned for two games after stamping on England number eight Ben Clarke last season.
