France’s dour style of rugby and Bernard Laporte’s poor tactics are to blame for its semifinal defeat to England, according to pivot Frederic Michalak.

The 25-year-old has expressed his frustration over Laporte's tactics in a game which France abandoned its traditional flamboyant game plan.

"We were given instructions and we had to follow them," said Michalak, who came on as a substitute in the 14-9 loss.

It was a game plan which did enough to beat the All Blacks in the quarter-final but fell painfully short against the defending champions.

"There was no evolution in our game and we were predictable in some areas," Michalak told reporters. "It could have worked, it came down to very little."

The pivot, who has been named to start against Argentina in the third/fourth playoff, was not shy in revealing his thoughts on Laporte.

"He's not my friend. He's my coach. I found it sometimes difficult to understand his instructions. I didn't agree with all of them.