Paris (AFP)

The pillar Jefferson Poirot was "relieved" after the announcement of his international retirement, assured AFP his manager at Bordeaux-Bègles Christophe Urios.

"It seemed relieved, yes. It was hard: it made the buzz, we commented. A lot. I was surprised that it is gaining so much momentum. I think it's the choice of one person, from a family but no further than that, "said Urios.

Ten days ago, Poirot (36 caps, 27 years old), vice-captain of the Blues at the World Cup in Japan, announced to give up on the XV of France, preferring to focus on his club career.

"I was in the know at the start of the year because he told me about it. He wanted to share it with me and with the president," said Urios.

"What is amazing is that Jeff is at the front of the best years of a pillar: he is 27 years old, physically he is good, no big injury ... But it belongs to him. I am not trying to understand . Jeff arrived at a time when this sharing between the club and the France team, he did not live very well. It stops there ", continued the manager of Bordeaux-Bègles.

Removable during the Brunel era, with 31 tenures since his debut in Blue in February 2016, Poirot then saw his position vacillate in the France group since the elimination against Wales (19-20), in the quarterfinals of the Mondial-2019, and the arrival of Fabien Galthié as coach.

Confined to an unusual replacement role during the last Six Nations Tournament, Poirot was even put out of the group during the match against Wales, doubled in the hierarchy by the young Cyril Baille (Toulouse) and Jean-Baptiste Gros ( Toulon).

© 2020 AFP