However after featuring three times for France during last year’s World Cup, he has not been part of new coach Philippe Saint-André’s plans, with Stade Français prop David Attoub getting the nod instead.

And after a five-year spell with Castres, Ducalcon has decided that a move to Racing, under new director of rugby and former French kicking coach Gonzalo Quesada, is the perfect way to relaunch his international career.

He said: “In a professional career you have to reinvigorate yourself and give yourself new challenges.

“We’ve got straight into the hard work. It’s been tough but you have to do it. We started pre-season later than the other clubs so it means we have to work even harder.

“There aren’t many people who appreciate pre-season, it’s a period of suffering but we have to go through it to prepare the season as well as possible.

“I had five good years at Castres but I’m happy to begin a new challenge.”