Leinster forward Scott Fardy has announced he will retire from rugby at the end of this season.
Fardy, who turns 37 in July, starred for Leinster in their Heineken Champions Cup quarter-final win against Exeter at the weekend.
He has been capped 39 times by Australia.
Fardy has played 76 times for Leinster since joining in 2017 and he has won a Champions Cup and four Pro 14 titles during his time at Leinster.
The veteran Australian forward said: "I've loved every minute of this adventure, not only the last few years with Leinster but all of it and of course there is still a lot of rugby to be played this season. We are still on a high after the weekend and we’ve a massive few weeks ahead and that is our focus right now.
"We’ve a week off at the moment and then we’ll begin our build up with a game against Munster and then the massive challenge of facing La Rochelle away in France.
"There will be time to sit back, reflect and to thank the clubs and the people that have played a part in my playing career when the season is done and maybe even in person.
"It’s been a hard year for everyone in society and playing without our fans has been difficult but hopefully off the back of Monday’s news, I might be able to say thank you and goodbye at the RDS in front of our supporters which would be special.
"Until then all my energy and focus is on finishing the season strongly with Leinster."
Head coach Leo Cullen has paid tribute to Fardy "Scott leaves a formidable legacy behind him at the club. He has been a key figure in the team’s recent success and has been an invaluable member of the leadership group during his time here.
"Fards is a great competitor on the field but he also brings great enjoyment and fun to the entire squad throughout our lengthy season when the team is constantly changing, particularly with international players away and younger players stepping up in their absence."
Elsewhere, Sean Cronin and Luke McGrath have become the latest players to sign new deals with the province.
It has been a busy week of contract announcements for the Guinness Pro14 champions, with Jack Conan, Scott Penny and Hugo Keenan among the other players to have committed to Leo Cullen's side for the 2021-22 campaign.
Hooker Cronin, 34, arrived in Dublin from Connacht in 2011 and has won 72 Ireland caps, while scrum-half McGrath, 28, has made 19 international appearances, although neither has run out in green since the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
