The Toulouse lock has been playing international rugby for nine seasons and became captain of his country for the second time in his career when he took over from the retired Fabien Galthie following the World Cup in Australia last November.

Since then, Pelous has led his side to the 2004 RBS 6 Nations title in March and is planning to stay on until the 2007 World Cup in France.

His record of 93 caps equals that of French rugby legend Serge Blanco although he still has Philippe Sella, with 111, ahead of him.

I am very proud of it, Pelous said. I am a rugby player who managed to make the most of his own qualities and also benefited from a certain luck and success but that's all.

I did not make any sacrifices to reach that level, rugby has always been my passion.

Pelous could reach the 100-cap by the 2005 RBS 6 Nations but he insists that the landmark does not interest him.

I am not focused on that record, he told French sports daily L'Equipe.

It will happen naturally. If I reach 100 caps it means I will have deserved the right to play for another seven matches after Saturday.

I will do my best to reach that aim but I know that if I show some weaknesses, Bernard Laporte will not hesitate to sideline me and he will probably be right.

Pelous hopes to last until the next World Cup.

I don't want to be called up by France because of my past performances, he added.

I don't want an end of career like Jason Leonard's (the England prop set a record of 114 caps but rarely started matches as his career drew to a close).

When I decided to continue my career after the 2003 World Cup, I decided to give myself the means of doing it for the next four years.

I said I wanted to play at the 2007 World Cup but frankly, I have no certainty that I will.

All I can say is that I will do my best to do it.

France, who defeated the USA 39-31 in the first Test of their summer tour in Hartford, Connecticut, will look to improve their defence against the Canadians after conceding five tries to the Americans.

We have made huge progress, Pelous added, and I hope this will be confirmed against Canada.