One of a kind: French legend Fabien Pelous Photo: Michael Paler

Fabien Pelous was no ordinary player, and it seems his retirement will break the mould too, with the 35-year-old planning to open a brewery and gain his helicopter pilot's licence, in addition to consolidating his presence among the France 'A' coaching set-up.

Pelous, who confirmed his imminent retirement on Thursday, has finally called time on a career which has brought glory, a record number of French caps (118) and worldwide recognition of his talents.

The hulking second row briefly retired last year before strapping on his boots for one more season, but he looked a beaten man after Stade’s recent Heineken Cup heartbreak in Cardiff and insisted there would be no about turn this year.

"I decided last week, although this was not an easy decision because I love rugby," he confirmed. "But it was the right time to stop," he added.

Stade Toulousain president Jean-René Bouscatel emphasized that Pelous' decision to retire had been the player's alone, adding the club would have given him a new contract had he wished to carry on.

But Pelous said he took his decision after consulting friends, his family and Stade Toulousain coach Guy Noves. "I really go without regrets even though I know the urge to play will still be there next year, in two years, in three years, even in 10 years," he acknowledged.

The former France captain said he would "try to enjoy every minute" of his remaining games this season - five at the most if Stade reach the play-off finals - before turning his attention to the next stage of his career.

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"For the future I have several projects in mind. I will open a brewery with a friend of mine next to my hometown of Nailloux. This will be a beautiful adventure. I also have contacts to stay in rugby through the media - including television - and I will also start my studies in management of sports clubs and see what I can contribute," he said.

"Finally, I am taking a diploma to become a helicopter pilot. It's a passion that I just discovered," added Pelous.

He will also join the steering committee of the FFR and is hopes to become more heavily involved with the France 'A' set up after joining the coaching team in February. He is likely to go on their summer tour to Romania.

Pelous picked out three highlights to his playing career - the World Cup semi-final against the All Blacks at Twickenham in 1999, his first Heineken Cup triumph (against Perpignan in 2003), and a local derby win for his first club Saverden against rivals Pamiers.

"These three memories summarize my career, which began in the amateur game and then went through to the top of Europe, before reaching touching the roof of the world with the semi-final in 1999," he added.

Stade Toulousain coach Noves said he felt privileged to have had Pelous as one of his charges and paid tribute to the lock as "one of the greatest".

He added: "It will be necessary now that Stade Toulousain comes to terms with his departure, but whenever a giant stops we try and respond positively. But with Fabien it will be harder than with others."

Romain Millo-Chluski, Pelous' second row colleague at Stade Toulousain, said it had been an emotional moment when the former France captain told his team-mates of his decision.

"What was most marked in him was the urge to play. In all our years together I learned about the player and appreciate the man. He was my room mate on away games and he will leave a great void in the changing room," he said.

They were emotions echoed by France and Stade Toulousain centre Yannick Jauzion. "For us it's a big disappointment. Fabien is someone who has qualities beyond the sports pitch and expresses calm before and during the match. He brought a lot of confidence to the squad."

Jauzion added: "He has always been able to overcome the pressures and constraints, and he remains an example to us all for the way he made sacrifices despite the demands of everyday life to remain competitive for 19 years at the top level of rugby."

Former France coach Bernard Laporte described Pelous as "the warrior leader" and added: "He is simply one of our greatest champions. I admire the man as much as the player."

Pelous began his rugby career with amateur clubs Saverdan (1983-91) and SC Graulhet (1991-95) before signing as a professional with Dax, where he played from 1995-97.

But his hometown club of Stade Toulousain came calling in 1997 and the giant lock has played there ever since, winning the Heineken Cup in 2003 and 2005, as well as runners-up medals in 2004 and 2008, and the French Championship three times (1999, 2001 and 2008).

He made his international debut against Romania on October 17^th 1995 and he went on to win a record 118 caps in all before retiring after the 2007 Rugby World Cup. He captained ‘Les Bleus’ on 42 occasions – including to a Grand Slam in 2004, one of a French record of four that he won - but missed leading them in the RWC after an ankle injury sidelined him in the run up to the tournament, allowing Raphael Ibanez to step into the breach and retain the job.

Pelous was also blighted by a knee injury at the tail end of 2005, but he still passed Philippe Sella’s 111 caps when France played England in Marseille in August 2007.

He scored eight tries for Les Bleus and beat the All Blacks in four of his 11 encounters against the feared New Zealanders, and registered 37 victories in his 49 Six Nations matches.

He has flirted with the idea of going into politics previously, and also has a vineyard venture in conjunction with French footballer Djibril Cisse, but it seems his future could be in coaching after he joined the France ‘A’ set up back in January.

Stade Toulousain have already signed his long-term replacement with the capture, earlier this season, of Toulon's Yoann Maestri.