Former Ireland and Munster lock Donncha O’Callaghan has announced that he will retire from rugby at the end of the current season.
O’Callaghan, who is currently playing for Worcester Warriors, will bring the curtain down on a 20-year career.
The 38-year-old remains Munster’s most capped player with 268 appearances over 17 years and earned an impressive 94 caps for his country.
O’Callaghan was part of the Ireland team that won the Triple Crown in 2004 as well as the side that claimed a Six Nations Grand Slam 2009.
The Cork man was also a member of the 2005 and 2009 Lions squads but has now taken the decision to hang up his boots in order to spend more time with his family.
"I am done," he told the Irish Examiner.
"It’s been great. I have had a great time. I love the game and I want to finish loving it. Honestly, body wise I feel great. The game is changing though and everyone is talking about it this season.
"Over the last three years, the physicality has gone through the roof.
"I’d love to be able to walk away from it and say I had a great time within it and be thankful to the game itself. I just look at my own crew.
"Guys like Denis Leamy is after getting a hip operation. I have four small kids, I want to be running around with them having fun. I don’t want to be stuck in goal in a five-a-side. You want to finish the game fit, healthy, and well. You want to be active," he added.
"It’s definite right now (the decision to retire). My family need me around more. As much as I love rugby I love them more and I need to be there. That’s corny isn’t it? But that’s the way it is."
O’Callaghan has not yet decided on whether he’ll remain in rugby after retirement or in what capacity but claimed that he would like to give something back to the game.
"I would like to stay involved in some way and I have a few options. You learn from the guys who have stepped out of the game how well to do it. I will be honest, I have got so much out of it and I love it so much it would be wrong to step away."
