Dimitri Szarzewski believes it’s time for France to look to the future as he announced his international retirement after winning 83 caps.
The 32-year-old hooker won three RBS 6 Nations titles, including a Grand Slam in 2010, and he was also part of the French team that reached the 2011 World Cup final.
He was again selected for this year’s World Cup, his third, and came off the bench in the quarter-final defeat to New Zealand in Cardiff.
And he has decided to follow in the footsteps of Thierry Dusautoir, Pascal Papé, Frédéric Michalak and Nicolas Mas in calling time on his international career.
“It’s a decision I’ve thought hard about and made up my mind a few weeks ago. It’s something I’ve been thinking about for some time,” Szarzewski said.
“I have told the staff of the France team and Racing 92. I need to dedicate more time to my family and my club.
“It’s been an honour and given me great pride to represent my country and pull on the French shirt 83 times.
“When I heard the final whistle, I knew it was my last match with les Bleus but I finish with a World Cup adventure.”
Hooker Guilhem Guirado, who started the quarter-final against New Zealand before being replaced by Szarzewski, has been tipped to be the next French captain under new boss Guy Novès following Dusautoir’s retirement.
Click here to view the complete 2016 RBS 6 Nations fixtures
