France’s last-gasp win over Scotland might not have been pretty to watch, but head coach Philippe Saint-Andre says it has put a smile back on the players’ faces.

Saint-Andre, 46, added he was happy that the team had won more matches (three) in the Six Nations than they had in the whole of 2013 where they won two, drew one and lost eight, as well as finishing with the wooden spoon in the Six Nations.

Indeed, the 19-17 win over the Scots at Murrayfield, their first away win since they won there two years ago, gives the French a chance of winning the Six Nations title.

But they have to beat a rampant Ireland, who will be further motivated as they can also win the title on iconic centre Brian O’Driscoll’s final Test appearance, in Paris next Saturday.

Despite the win and being in with a chance of the title, France’s performances have not been well-received by either the press or supporters, with growing doubts over their ability to challenge for the World Cup next year.

However, Saint-Andre, in charge of France since Marc Lievremont was sacked after defeat to New Zealand in the 2011 World Cup final, insisted that winning ugly was far more important than losing having played well.

So far they have beaten England in the dying seconds of the first game in Paris, thumped Italy after a tight first-half and then were thrashed by Wales in Cardiff.

“If you tell yourself something often enough you start to believe it,” said Saint-Andre.

“There are days where nothing is more important than the win itself, not the way it is achieved.

“We have three wins from four matches, that is not something to be pessimistic about.

“We want to remain positive. And that is that – even though not everything is perfect. In four games, we have managed to win more matches than in the whole of last year.

“Last year from time to time the performances were very good but we couldn’t win. Now we are winning and the players are smiling at the end of the match. One shouldn’t complain, one should be positive.”