Poitrenaud to quit Toulouse and France

Former France international Clement Poitrenaud has retired after Toulouse denied him a new contract.

"The club decided against offering me a contract extension and so I decided to end my career at Stade Toulouse because I cannot see myself playing for another club in France or in Europe," Poitrenaud said.

The 33-year-old, who has filled full-back and centre roles in his career, began with Toulouse in the 2000/01 season and won four French league titles and the European Cup on three occasions.

He added that despite the nagging ankle injury that sidelined him this season when he started in just seven games overall, his reason for stopping playing was not physical and that he intended to play Pro Rugby in the United States in 2017.

"I wanted to stay another year but the club didn't want it," said Poitrenaud.

"It was going to have to stop at one point or another."

The full-back concluded that he would remain in close contact with Toulouse and that he was in talks with them over a new project he could not yet disclose.