Raphaël Ibanez believes it is his "duty" to eventually become part of France's coaching set-up. The former Les Bleus captain was forced to announce his retirement from the game last month on the advice of his neurosurgeon, after failing to fully recover from a series of complex concussions.

He was immediately tipped by many as a future France coach, and the 36-year-old – who won 98 caps for his country and captained them at two World Cups – admits he would be lying if he said that was not one of his ambitions.

"I don't want to be one of those guys who says they aren't interested but who, when they are offered it, would be the first to go at it," Ibanez told L'Equipe. "I think it will be one of my aims, one day, to share what I have learnt. It is almost a duty to share what you have experienced as a player. But it will be necessary to get experience first.

"It doesn't frighten me. It excites me – even if, for me, it is difficult to project myself forward and say what I am going to become. I have always fixed myself challenges – but am I capable of them? Am I made for it?"

Ibanez's last club side was Wasps – whom he joined in 2005 and helped win the Powergen Cup, the Heineken Cup and the Guinness Premiership title. He will remain with the Londoners until the end of the season at least, as part of the academy coaching team, while he will continue to fulfil ambassadorial duties off the field.

Ibanez is not discounting becoming part of the coaching team at Wasps on a full-time basis. But with his family living in the south-west of France, he may explore other avenues. "The priority is going to be seeing what the possibilities are with Wasps," he said. "I know they have the intention of integrating me into the staff. That could be a good opportunity."

Ibanez, who also played for Dax and Saracens, has not yet received any offers from French clubs.