Wales full-back Lee Byrne retires from rugby due to injury

Former Wales international Lee Byrne has been forced to retire due to a shoulder injury.

The 34-year-old Newport Gwent Dragons full-back was a key member of the Wales team that clinched the Grand Slam in 2008 and went on to reach the World Cup semi-finals three years later.

During an illustrious career he played 46 times for Wales and collected one cap for the British and Irish Lions on their 2009 tour of South Africa.

Byrne began his professional career at Llanelli Scarlets when the region was formed in 2003. He made his Wales debut in 2005 when he came off the bench against New Zealand during their tour of the UK and Ireland. 

I’m frustrated to be in this position but I’m happy to have enjoyed my time in the game having fulfilled all my rugby ambitions.

In 2006, Bridgend-born Byrne made the move to Ospreys and made 92 appearances before heading to France to play for Clermont Auvergne.

He made more than 60 appearances for the Top 14 side that included the 2013 Heineken Cup final which Clermont narrowly lost to Toulon.

'Frustrated'

Byrne said of his decision to call it a day: “This is a disappointing time for me but I’m looking forward to the future. I’m not sure what the next chapter holds or even what I want to do but I am planning on taking some down time over the next few weeks to look at my opportunities - whether that’s in rugby or a new career.

“I’m frustrated to be in this position but I’m happy to have enjoyed my time in the game having fulfilled all my rugby ambitions at both club and international level.

“Everyone at the Dragons has been very supportive with my care, the medical team and strength and conditioning team in particular. I’d like to thank them all for their support during the last few months and extend that thanks to everyone involved in the region.”

The team’s director of rugby, Lyn Jones said: “Lee is a fantastic rugby player and has been a great influence on many of our younger players.

“He will be missed both on and off the pitch, and I know that everyone here at Newport Gwent Dragons wish him all the best in the future.”