Paris - France captain Thierry Dusautoir, a tireless flanker known for his fiery tackling and deft ball-handling skills, has retired from international rugby, French media have reported.
Dusautoir, who made his test debut in 2006 and played 80 internationals before making his last appearance against old rivals New Zealand in the 2015 World Cup quarter-finals, made his decision after discussions with new France coach Guy Noves.
“I saw him this morning,” Dusautoir told French newspaper L'Equipe about Noves, who was also the flanker's club coach at Toulouse. “We arrived at the same conclusions. That is why I am convinced that my choice is dictated by reason.
“If I had tried to continue, forcing to do, I would have shown more vanity than anything else. In fact, I believe that this is the wisest decision.”
Dusautoir, who All Blacks captain Richie McCaw said never appeared to sweat, was highly regarded in the rugby world and often reserved his best performances for test matches against New Zealand.
He was widely lauded for his 38 tackles against the All Blacks in the 2007 World Cup quarter-final that inspired France to an upset 20-18 victory.
Dusautoir also scored France's try in the 2011 World Cup final as he galvanised his side to push the All Blacks to the tightest of margins before McCaw's side prevailed 8-7.
Such was his influence on the 2011 World Cup, he was named man of the match in the final and then World Rugby's Player of the Year after the tournament.
Dusautoir, who led France a record 56 times, made his debut in 2006 against Romania and first captained the side in a 27-22 victory over the All Blacks in Dunedin in 2009.
Fittingly, his last game was against New Zealand in Cardiff, where he had inspired his side eight years previously, though France were thrashed 62-13 by a rampant All Blacks side on their way to successive World Cup victories.
The quarter-final match was Philippe Saint-Andre's last in charge of France before he was replaced by Noves and with Dusautoir having just turned 34, the flanker decided to call it a day at international level.
“My personality has always been to give the maximum for France ... before thinking about me,” he said.
“Although I am a proud and ambitious (man), I think be an honest person and it would not have corresponded to what I am and how I led my career.” – Reuters