Northampton forward Adam Eustace, who made more than 200 appearances for Gloucester, has been forced to retire due to a neck injury.
Saints forward retires following medical advice
Northampton forward Adam Eustace has been forced to retire due to a neck injury.
The 32-year-old former Gloucester star suffered the injury earlier in the season and has now been advised to quit by medical experts.
"For the first time in my career I've had one injury after another and it's been very frustrating to say the least," he said.
"I'm indebted to the club for giving me all the time I've needed to get myself back, but unfortunately I've been given the advice from specialists to stop playing.
"It's been hard to take on the chin, and I'm pretty emotional about it to be honest."
Eustace, who signed for Northampton in the summer of 2010 after making more than 200 appearances for his hometown club, admitted he was disappointed not to make more of an impact at Franklin's Gardens - he made just one appearance off the bench this season.
Guilty
"When I came to Northampton I wanted to make an impression," he added.
"I knew it was always going to be tough with so many good players, but unfortunately I've not been able to fulfil my personal goals. I feel really bad and somewhat guilty that I've not been able to repay (director of rugby) Jim (Mallinder) and Nobby (forwards coach Dorian West) for bringing me to the club and the fans for their good wishes."
Eustace does, however, feel his future lies within the sport.
Looking to the future, he said: "Rugby's been a massive part of my life, and hopefully I can keep my hand in somewhere doing some coaching or community development to try and give something back to the next generation."
Boss Mallinder said he was sorry that Eustace's career at the Saints had finished almost before it had started.
"Adam had shown throughout his career that he was a quality and experienced campaigner and we thought he would bring a great deal to Franklin's Gardens," he said.
"While Adam has been a good person to have around the squad and contributed a great deal behind the scenes it is very unfortunate that he has not been able to show the fans his abilities as a player in the first team.
"It is always sad to see a player have his career ended by injury, but we wish Adam all the best with his rehabilitation and every success with whatever he chooses to do in the future."
