France star Sebastien Vahaamahina announced he has retired on Monday

The 28-year-old lock was dismissed after elbowing Wales' Aaron Wainwright

The costly mistake came in France's clash against Warren Gatland's men in Oita

Wales went on to clinch victory in the quarter-final and will play South Africa

France lock Sebastien Vahaamahina announced that he has retired from international rugby just a day after being sent off for a shocking elbow in his nation's World Cup quarter-final defeat against Wales.

The 28-year-old was dismissed after launching his elbow into Aaron Wainwright's face during a maul, and Wales soon rallied to clinch a tight 20-19 victory in Oita.

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Vahaamahina's reckless decision likely cost France a spot in the tournament's final four, and the star revealed on Monday that he had called time on his career on the international stage.

France lock Sebastien Vahaamahina announced that he has retired from international rugby

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He apologised to his teammates and told Eurosport Rugbyrama: 'The people impacted by this decision have known since this summer: Jacques Brunel, Franck Azema, some players also.

'I really wanted to do well and the desire to achieve the best match possible, the best competition possible and then stop... Maybe I wanted to do too well. My envy and my aggressiveness made me overflow.

'From now on, it's time for me to have an arm surgery, as was the case when I returned from the World Cup. A cycle ends today, a page of my career is turning.

'I'm 28 years old and I can not wait to rebuild myself, physically and morally, to come back even stronger.'

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The 28-year-old had been dismissed after launching his elbow into Aaron Wainwright's face

The Wales flanker had been seen wincing in pain following the contact, and the incident was looked at in a TMO review by the referee shortly after.

Following a brief deliberation, Vahaamahina was shown a red card and France were forced to battle on with 14 men.

The 28-year-old, who announced his retirement on his birthday, had made 45 appearances for France since being handed his debut in 2012.

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He had scored one try in his three appearances at this year's showpiece in Japan.