Leicester Tigers captain Martin Corry has announced that he will retire from professional rugby at the end of the season when Tigers make their fourth Heineken Cup final appearance.
Speaking this weekend the 35-year-old club captain said, "The hardest decision a player ever has to make is when it is time to call it a day.
Corry was unavailable to Leicester for the Heineken Cup and Premiership semi-finals due to injury and after consulting with club doctors he has concluded the time has come to retire.
"I have enjoyed many fantastic moments in my career at club and international level, and if it was down to heart and mind I would love to continue playing.
"But unfortunately I have taken specialist medical advice and my body has said that is it.
"I have been able to play the game I love as a professional for a long time and I have some great memories." he said.
Corry, 35, has won every major honour with club and country. After spells with Newcastle and Bristol, he joined Leicester Tigers in 1997 and has since won five Premiership titles, two Heineken Cups and an EDF Energy Cup, captaining the club to the first league and cup double of the professional era in 2006/07.
He won 64 caps for England, including three Rugby World Cup campaigns and two seasons as captain, and played in seven Tests for the British & Irish Lions.
The news follows a similar decision by fellow Heineken Cup legend Fabien Pelous who will also hang up his boots on his club career with Toulouse at the end of the season.
