Serge Betsen left Cameroon as a nine-year-old boy and arrived in Paris where he discovered a passion for rugby.He hasn’t forgotten his roots, though, and eight years ago returned to his homeland to set up the Serge Betsen Academy, a charity which helps underprivileged children go to school and receive medical assistance.Friendly away from the pitch but ferocious on it, Betsen who is representing France at the World Rugby Classic is keen to devote more time to his charity after hanging up his boots last season.“My charity started eight years ago when I went back to Cameroon for the first time in 18 years,” said Betsen, who started playing rugby as a 12-year-old in the Parisian suburbs.“I was born in Cameroon and discovered rugby in Paris. The idea is to go back to Cameroon with something special and share the passion of the sport with the kids.“Rugby is a kind of a special thing for me and I’m really proud to see these kids play rugby and discover the spirit of this game.“I try to use rugby as a tool to help these children so they can go to school and get medical assistance.”The 38-year-old insists he doesn’t miss playing but his proud of a 20-year career that saw him become one of the greatest flankers in the professional era.“I had of enough (of playing), I had my day and I really, really appreciate all of my 20 years in rugby,” said Betsen, who won 63 caps for France between 1997 and 2007.“To be retired has given me the opportunity to travel to places like Bermuda and do something different.“To finish my career in London (at Wasps) and discover another country made my life really full.”Betsen, who led a small wave of African-born players to have played for Les Bleus in recent years, still lives in London where he moved in 2008 after signing for Wasps.He said he was been taken back by the warmth and friendliness of the people who celebrate their sports stars more than in France.“The fact is people really adore sportsmen in the UK and show more expression while in France things are a bit more discrete. I was made very welcome in London where there is a different culture and attitude towards sportsmen than in France.“I was impressed that people recognised me in London.”A World Rugby Classic debutant, Betsen, whose French team play Canada in today’s Plate final, hopes to return Bermuda in future years having enjoyed renewing old acquaintances and rivalry.“It’s fantastic to see to players like Italy’s Massimo Giovanelli who I played against in my first cup in 1997,” said Betsen, who, according to former England coach Clive Woodward, “single-handedly” beat his team en route to the 2002 Grand Slam. “It was just unbelievable to see him and this kind of moment is important to me.“It’s also really great to see all of my old France team-mates and catch up again that’s really the spirit of rugby and I really appreciate it.”