Former France international fly-half Frederic Michalak said Monday he would retire from rugby at the end of the season.
The 35-year-old, who made 77 appearances for France and currently plays for Top 14 side Lyon, said he was no longer confident that he could withstand the rigours of top-class rugby.
“After thinking long and hard about an offer from the club (to stay), I will end my career at the end of the season,” Michalak said.
“I still have that love for the game but this is a sport where you have to be at 200 percent physically.
“I am 35 and it is getting more and more difficult, so I said this would be a good year to stop.”
Michalak spent seven years at French powerhouses Stade Toulouse and also enjoyed stints at South African club Sharks.
He will be forever remembered in France for his quarter-final substitute appearance in the 2007 World Cup when he set up the winning try for Yannick Jauzion in a landmark defeat of New Zealand in Cardiff.
The fly-half's speed took him away from the All Black players in pursuit before he off-loaded to Jauzion to touch down.
France eventually lost in the semi-final to England.