‘No regrets’ as Pelous bows out

FORMER France captain Fabien Pelous says he has no regrets about calling time on his illustrious career yesterday, even though his body is still telling him to play on for another few years. The Toulouse lock, who made a record 118 appearances for his country, announced he would be hanging his boots up at the end of the season.

The 35-year-old is still in excellent condition and has enjoyed two great seasons since quitting international rugby after the 2007 World Cup.

He nevertheless feels it is the right time to retire. “I didn’t want to finish on a frustrated note,” he said yesterday.

“At the moment, I am not frustrated at all and I wasn’t sure of being like that next year. That is why I prefer to end my career now and not have any regrets.

“Having discussed the future with my wife Florence, other people and with (Toulouse coach) Guy Noves, it was a good time for me.

“I am leaving without regret even if the desire to play is there and could be there in two or three years’ time. I am expecting some difficult times because I will still have this desire to play for a long time.”

In his 12 seasons with Toulouse since joining from Dax, Pelous has won three French titles and will be gunning for a fourth at the end of this campaign in what would be a fairytale way to go.

He has also won the Heineken Cup twice with Toulouse, in 2003 and 2005.

Pelous captained France 42 times and won four Five/Six Nations Grand Slams with Les Bleus, in 1997, 1998, 2002 and 2004.

“Symbolically, I will remember three dates,” he said.

“The semi-final of the 1999 World Cup at Twickenham (when France beat New Zealand) — it was the end point for a generation in the France team and an indelible memory for me and French rugby.

“The second is my first European title, against Perpignan in 2003.

“The third, and you are going to laugh, is when I was a youngster, when I played for the first time for Saverdun and we won at Pamiers. It was my first big victory with a senior team.”

Pelous, who is currently in charge of France’s ‘A’ side, already has plans for the future but he intends to go out in style.

“There are five matches left for me to give my best and I am going to savour each minute.”