The 31-year-old flanker acted as skipper during the last four of France’s five RBS 6 Nations fixtures, lock Pascal Pape handed the reins as they got off to the worst possible start with defeat to Italy.

Dusautoir failed to inspire the team to victories over Wales and then England however France were unbeaten in their final two fixtures following a draw with Ireland and a defeat of Scotland.

Those two results came too late for Les Bleus to avoid the wooden spoon as they finished bottom of the RBS 6 Nations, despite being level on three points with Ireland, for the first time ever.

France tour New Zealand next in June and captain Dusautoir believes they will learn from the situation they found themselves in during the RBS 6 Nations – and quickly.

“Even when it’s difficult, you fight tooth and nail to be part of the national team and you have to appreciate it when you’re there,” said Dusautoir.

“I was very pleased by the way the team stayed united, cohesive and focused in the face of adversity and despite the fact that we were not playing well and despite the poor results.

“The tournament finished much better than it began for us, this is a young group that has learned a great deal, who now know what it is like to find yourself in a difficult situation, when everything is not going your way

“That is something we had not experienced before now.”