Raphael Ibanez has agreed to extend his stay at Wasps for another season after signing a one-year deal that will take him through to the end of the 2008-2009 campaign.

The 35-year-old former France captain retired from international rugby after last year’s World Cup and will combine his playing role with a coaching position in the club’s academy.

Ibanez said: “I’m very pleased to be staying at Wasps for another year, I still have the fire for competition on the pitch and I believe I can continue to be effective as a player. I’m also very excited about the opportunity I have next season to get involved with the Wasps Academy and do a bit of coaching.”

“I had some options to consider from the French Federation, but I think they came too early for me. I need to get some experience first, and I can think of no better place to get that experience than at Wasps.”

Wasps director of rugby Ian McGeechan added: “Raf is an outstanding, world class player who arrived at Wasps three years ago and fitted in immediately. He has been a tremendous asset to the team and the club on and off the field, and he commands huge respect from everyone here.

“Next season Raf will be very important to our playing and training programmes, taking a role working with our younger players as well as playing a big part in our plans for the first team.”