Yahé forced into retirement

Sidelined by a persistent illness since last Autumn, "Malice" had originally hoped to return to the colours for the final three games of the Six Nations but, after successfully playing the second half of the third round game against Wales, health concerns forced her to withdraw from the squad just before the next game against Scotland following a further injury during the final training session.

Hopes for her recovery remained, and she was included in the 39 player French World Cup training squad, but now medical advice has finally forced her hand.

"I have decided to stop on medical grounds", said 29 year-old scrum-half. "It took me a month to recover from my last concussion, and I had to wait another for the advice of various specialists. And they have taken the decision to end my career because further injury could be dangerous for my future life."

Marie-Alice had always intended to retire after the World Cup, after an international career that began in 2008 and saw her become French captain in 2011.

Although part of a rugby-playing family, she did not take the game up herself until she was 17 after Didier Retière, then regional technical advisor in Burgundy, spotted her potential when she came along to a practice session with a college friend. Not only did she clearly understand the game, but her ability to pass the ball both ways stood out - a skill Marie-Alice puts down to playing with her brother who "always needed somebody to throw the ball back to him".

After making her club debut with Coquelicots de Tournus she quickly moved Nice in 2002, winning national second division title in 2004 before moving on to Montpellier and then USA Perpignan, picking up three national championships in five years.

Her international career began in 2008 when she came on as a full-back for the last ten minutes against Wales. However she soon became a fixture at scrum-half in time for the 2010 World Cup where she stood out in what was a mixed tournament for the French.

A well respected and popular captain, in her first year in charge she lead France to their first test win against England for over five years before beating their greatest rivals at Twickenham for the first time last year. When Yahé followed this up with a series win in the USA before leading her team to victory over Canada both she and her team seemed well set for the World Cup.

However, that Autumn's final international against England would also prove to be her final game as captain.

"Ending my career now is something that is very hard to accept", she said today. "So close to the World Cup, knowing that I and the French team had met all of our objectives in our preparations. It was a big slap in the face, especially since I knew it was my last tournament and last chance to be captain.

"But I have no choice, and I have to focus on the fact that, whatever happens, I cannot help it. It was the only possible decision."

Looking back on her final injury she said that "although I fell and hit the corner of the nose rather violently I never imagined that it would be the knock-out blow. I was told last Wednesday and passed the news onto the coaches on Friday."

"I have left the door open with the FFR to stay around and help the French team," she added, "and I also hope to be able to work with TV during the the World Cup."

After August "Malice" had already planned to move to Bordeaux with her companion, Lionel Beauxis, with the aim of starting a family. That plan at least is unaffected by today's announcement.