Former Ireland and Munster legend Peter Stringer has confirmed his retirement.
The 40 year old who won Heineken Cups with the province and a Six Nations Grand Slam for Ireland, finishes up his career at Worcester Warriors who he joined in 2017.
Between 2013 and 2017 after ending his 15 year professional rugby association with Munster, Stringer spent time at both Bath and Sale.
The Cork native won 98 caps for Ireland in an international career that ran from 2000 to 2011.
Stringer confirmed his retirement in a statement.
"From the age of five all I ever dreamed of doing was playing rugby. I cannot describe how it feels to have lived that dream for nearly all my life.
"The journey has been an uncompromising obsession filled with memories I will cherish forever.
"To the coaches who never saw my size as disadvantageous, thank you. To my teammates who motivated and inspired me, thank you. To my parents and brothers, I could not have reached my goals without you.
"Thank you to my clubs in England - Saracens, Newcastle, Bath, Sale and Worcester who gave me an opportunity to continue playing the game I love.
"However, my proudest days on a rugby field came from wearing the red of Munster and the green of Ireland and will remain with me for the rest of my life. To those supporters, you are incredible people who stood by me and cheered for me no matter who I played for and for that, I will be forever grateful.
"Lastly, thank you to Debbie my wife, for the last 10 years when I faced some difficult decisions, you were there for me and backed me every step of the way. Here’s to the next chapter. Strings"
In August 2017, Stringer chatted to Off The Ball and discussed his longevity and willingness to keep playing for as long as possible: "I just don't want to live with those regrets of not doing everything I can to be as fit as I can for as long as possible."
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