Wallabies captain George Gregan said yesterday he will play French second division rugby after this year's World Cup, effectively ending the international career of Test rugby's most capped player.
Gregan said in a statement issued by the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) that he would play for French side Toulon immediately after this year's World Cup, which ends in October.
The statement did not specifically say Gregan would step down from international duties after the World Cup but ARU chief executive Gary Flowers said the 33-year-old was "planning the next phase of his career."
"We wish him all the best," Flowers said of the 127-Test veteran who has captained Australia a record 58 times.
Gregan made his debut against Italy in 1994, with few at the time predicting the Zambian-born scrumhalf would go on to re-write international rugby's record books.
He cemented his international spot with a try-saving tackle against New Zealand's Jeff Wilson late in a 1994 Bledisloe Cup decider to hand Australia victory.
Gregan was part of the Australian squad that won the 1999 World Cup and was appointed Wallabies captain in 2001, after the retirement of John Eales, leading his side to a narrow defeat by England in the 2003 World Cup final.
Gregan sat out Australia's European tour late last year, saying he wanted to keep himself sharp for this year's World Cup in France, hinting at the time that the tournament would be his international swansong.
Wallabies coach John Connolly, who has stuck with Gregan amid criticism the captain has lost his edge, praised Gregan's leadership abilities.
"In all my years of coaching, I've never come across a more professional player," he said.
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