French utility back Thomas Castaignede is to retire after the World Cup in October.
Currently playing with London side Saracens in the English first division, the 32-year-old Castaignede said he had taken the decision to hang up his boots a year ago, but had held off making an announcement.
”I want to finish off my career with a World Cup in France,” he told L’Equipe newspaper.
”I think we can win it and there would be no point in me trying to play on after that.”
Castaignede started his career at Mont-de-Marsan before joining Toulouse, with whom he won four French league titles from 1994 to 1997.
One of the most gifted attacking players of his generation, he made his France debut against Romania in 1995 and has so far won 52 caps, playing in Six Nations Grand Slam-winning teams in 1997 and 1998.
But his career was riddled with injuries and questions over which was his best position from fullback, flyhalf and centre.
Castaignede moved to Saracens seven years ago, playing his final match for them in the 50-9 loss to Gloucester in the English Championship semifinals on Saturday.
He is expected to tour with the French team to New Zealand in the summer and be included in coach Bernard Laporte’s World Cup squad for September/October. — AFP
