Leinster and Ireland's Heaslip retires
After almost a year out of action due to a back injury, Leinster and Ireland's Jamie Heaslip has been forced to call it quits.
Ireland and Leinster forward Jamie Heaslip has retired from rugby.
The number eight has not played for club or country since suffering a serious back injury in March 2017.
Surgery and lengthy periods of rehabilitation have not resulted in a return to fitness for the 34 year-old, and Heaslip was forced to announced his retirement on Tueaday (AEDT).
Heaslip made his senior debut for Leinster in 2005, winning the Heineken Cup and the Pro12 three times, as well as lifting the European Challenge Cup once.
He also won the Six Nations three times with Ireland, including the Grand Slam in 2009.
Heaslip was selected in the British and Irish Lions squad for tours of South Africa in 2009 and Australia in 2013.
"Jamie was an intelligent and incredibly robust player," Ireland coach Joe Schmidt said via a statement. "Utterly professional, driven to succeed and a leader with the actions he delivered."