London Wasps lock Richard Birkett, one of a small group of players to have lifted both the Heineken Cup and Amlin Challenge Cup, has been forced to retire.
The 33-year-old, who played more than 250 times for the Londoners, has hung up his boots as a result of a neck injury.
It bring to an end a glittering 14-year club career at Wasps that began against London irish at Loftus Road in 1999.
Alongside England international Simon Shaw, Birkett formed one of the most effective second-row partnerships in the game and won every major title including the biggest prize in European club rugby.
As well as four domestic Premiership titles, he was a key member of the Wasps team that beat Bath in the 2003 Amlin Challenge Cup Final and then lifted the Heineken Cup the following year with a famous win over Toulouse at Twickenham.
"After 14 years of rugby with London Wasps my body has unfortunately given up on me," said Birkett.
"However, I leave the game content in the fact that I was a part of an amazing era in Wasps history. Those memories will never leave me and I'm incredibly proud of what we achieved.
"The timing of my departure from the game is disappointing for me as I will not be able to be part of the new era at Wasps, which I genuinely believe has enormous potential."
Birkett was included in Wasps' squad for this season's Challenge Cup that began with a 38-25 victory over Newport Gwent Dragons.
"As a senior player he has been a leader both on and off of the field," added Wasps director of rugby Dai Young.
"In the modern game it is very rare that a player will stay with a club for their whole career but Birky has been a key component of this club and he will be a loss to us."
