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Rugby Union

Betsen hangs up his boots

16/01/2008

France flanker Serge Betsen has announced his retirement from international rugby and he will also end his club career at the end of the season.

The 33-year-old's decision will impact the French national side immediately and means he will be unavailable for selection in the upcoming Six Nations tournament, which starts next month.

Speaking about his decision, Betsen cites his increasing tendency to sustain injuries and his long-standing wish to retire after the 2007 Rugby World Cup on home soil.

"Before last year's World Cup, I told myself that would be my final challenge on the international stage," he said.

"I am still under contract with Biarritz until the end of the season, but when that is over I will be through with playing.

"I was injured just before the World Cup and that posed me a lot of problems.

"Even if I was able to get back playing for my club, I am not in a position to play again at the top international level."

Betsen has played a major part in France's recent successes.

He was a key member of the team that reached last year's World Cup semi-finals, as well as the XV who played in the last-four of the same tournament in 2003.

Betsen has twice won a Six Nations grand slam and becomes the fourth high-profile French retirement of the winter - following former captains Fabien Pelous, Raphael Ibanez and Christophe Dominici out of the international arena.