France's most capped player, Fabien Pelous, has retired from international rugby.

"I have something to tell you - it will not be a surprise - I have decided to end my international career," the 34-year-old lock and former French captain said yesterday. "It's 12 years since I started to play for France, 12 years of which I'm proud. I went through beautiful moments, had some disappointments, but I shall only keep the unforgettable moments."

Pelous made 118 appearances for France, second only in the world to Australia's George Gregan, capped 139 times.

He won his first cap against Romania in 1995 and the last one in France's defeat to England in their World Cup semi-final last month.

He captained the national side 42 times, won the Five and Six Nations titles five times, including four grand slams, was crowned European champion twice with his Toulouse club and lifted the French championship trophy in 1999 and 2001.

"I feel the time has come to turn a page for several reasons. The first one is that I'm 34 and that my body has been warning me for two years that enough was enough," he said.

"Another reason is that since the end of the World Cup my mind is ready to concentrate on something different.

"Also, French rugby will now enter a new era with new coaches, new ambitions, and it would have been ridiculous to claim to last until the next World Cup," he added. "The last reason is that it will be my last season with my club. I want to help them win another European Cup and another French title, and to do that I must spare my strength."