FRENCH INTERNATIONAL BACK Clement Poitrenaud has called time on his rugby career with Toulouse and in France after a season marred by injury.
Capped 47 times for his country, mainly at full-back and centre, Poitrenaud started playing for Toulouse under coach Guy Noves when he was just 19 in 2001.
He became a stalwart in the Toulouse side that won four national titles between 2001 and 2012 and three European cups.
He also played for France in the 2003 and 2007 World Cups and won three Six Nations crowns.
“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.
He said 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.
He also said 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.
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Serious player
Great attitude to have in fairness. Toulouse seem to be different to the other super rich clubs in the way that they are proud of their academy and player development. I feel it creates the kind of loyalty that Poitrenaud has. I remember when they were dominating Europe and practically had the entire French international team lining out for them. It’s sad to see the shift in the top 14, where teams are looking to buy overseas mercenaries that won’t have to leave them during the 6 nations/autumn internationals.
Prone to the odd clanger, but a class player at his best
Main memory of him is stil his howler against wasps In the last minute of Heineken cup final
Proper french full back, great broken field runner with a bit of class, unlike current crop