France rugby coach Marc Lievremont mounted a strong defence of his credentials, and claimed he has been misrepresented in the press and vowing that he is the right man for the job.

The 42-year-old has gone from the high of guiding the French to their first Six Nations Grand Slam since 2004 earlier this year to the low of a humiliating 59-16 defeat by Australia in November.

However, Lievremont said he felt as confident and determined he could lead France to World Cup success for the first time in New Zealand next year.

But he was at pains to set a few things straight regarding himself and the job.

"I have had enough of the commonly presented image of me being a young man with old-fashioned values; a nice guy but ultimately incompetent," said Lievremont, who was surprisingly chosen to replace Bernard Laporte after the 2007 World Cup.

"Personally, I truly believe that I have the ability of an international coach. However, 'the boss is someone who needs others'," he added, citing French literary giant Antoine de Saint-Exupery.

Lievremont, part of the French side that lost to Australia in the 1999 World Cup final, was adamant that reports in rugby newspaper Midi Libre that he had said captain Thierry Dusautoir was not suited to the role were not correct.

He also denied rumours that there had been lobbying for his work to be overseen by senior players.

"The quotes regarding me and Dusautoir are surreal," said Lievremont.

"There was never any question of having former players come in and oversee me at work.

"And in any case, it would have been dismissed out of hand by me as it would have shown a lack of faith in those people who work with me."

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