Bernard Laporte will remain as France coach until the 2007 World Cup, the French rugby federation announced today.
Laporte was in charge of the French team knocked out by eventual champions England in the semi-finals of the 2003 World Cup last month.
He was persuaded not to stand down by his players after that game. The 39-year-old had been considering whether to continue in the job since returning to France where the 2007 World Cup will be based. Laporte has been coach since November 1999.
He has won 29 of his 49 matches in charge and the Six Nations Grand Slam in 2002. France played superb rugby to reach the World Cup semi-finals but could not adapt to the wet conditions in Sydney and lost 24-7 to England.
Many fans were incensed when Laporte then played his B team in the third place playoff against New Zealand, which France lost 40-13. It was France's second worst finish in a World Cup.