Raphael Saint-Andre has stepped down as coach of Russia’s rugby team and the Frenchman will be replaced by Russian Alexander Pervukhin, the national federation has confirmed.

The change followed decisions made at an executive committee meeting on December 26 although Saint-Andre may be kept on in a consulting and coaching role, the federation said on Wednesday.

Saint-Andre had a record of four wins and four defeats in eight matches but failed to guide the team to next year’s World Cup when they were beaten by Uruguay in a play-off in October over two legs.

The 43-year-old Saint-Andre, brother of current France coach Philippe, had a playing career between 1990 and 1999 that included spells at Clermont, Gloucester, Lyon and CS Lons Jura before moving into coaching.

He was coach of Hungary between 2012 and 2014 before taking up the Russia job in January and leading the ‘Bears’ to the brink of a second World Cup appearance after 2011.

Pervukhin is currently head coach at Russian club Ienissei-STM.