Ireland centre Gordon D'Arcy will retire from rugby after the World Cup later this year

Ireland rugby great Gordon D’Arcy has announced that he intends to retire after the Rugby World Cup this autumn.

The 35-year-old Leinster centre has been capped 81 times by Ireland and forged a superb midfield partnership with Brian O’Driscoll for many years.

D’Arcy has scored seven tries for his country and toured with the Lions to New Zealand in 2005 and South Africa in 2009.

He has made 260 appearances for Leinster but could play his final game for the province next Friday, depending on whether he gets the nod for the World Cup.

D’Arcy is no longer first-choice at centre for his country, but is hoping to earn a place in the World Cup squad.

Leinster went out of the Champions Cup after an epic clash with Toulon in Marseille last month and D’Arcy wrote an open letter on his province’s website announcing his decision.

He said: “Had the result in Marseille nearly two weeks ago gone our way, this week could have been a lot different.

I am so proud, fortunate and honoured to have represented my province and country for 17 seasons but I am leaving on my terms, which is how everyone would wish to end their professional rugby careers.

“Unfortunately it isn't, so I am taking this opportunity to announce that I will be retiring from professional rugby at the end of October.

“It is a decision that I have not come to lightly but one that sits very easily with me and indeed with my wife, Aoife, and we are confident that I am making the decision for the right reasons.

“My decision has always been that I would leave at this time – after the Rugby World Cup 2015 – and I would like to thank Leinster Rugby and the IRFU for their support in facilitating this process, which began last summer.

“I am so proud, fortunate and honoured to have represented my province and country for 17 seasons but I am leaving on my terms, which is how everyone would wish to end their professional rugby careers.

“It is still hard for me to get my head around the fact that I will not be pulling a jersey on again after October.

“While the blue of Leinster and the green of Ireland stand out for most people, nothing would have been possible without the solid foundations built on Saturday and Sunday mornings in Wexford Wanderers, then nurtured in Clongowes and of course, in later years, in Landsdowne.

“Throughout it all, I have been honoured to have played with an array of talented players, be coached by great coaches, and to have played for the best supporters in the world. 

“It has always been an honour to represent my country. I hope to continue that over the coming months and help to achieve something with this very special group of players and staff at the Rugby World Cup.

“Leinster will always hold a special place in my heart, my first and only club. At home or away, we took on the giants of European rugby and we had great days. I am proud to have played a small part in that evolution. 

“I will genuinely miss being a Leinster and Irish Rugby player, I have loved every moment of it.”

D'Arcy has been at the heart of a fine Ireland team and helped his country to win a Grand Slam in 2009 and the Six Nations title last season.

He made his Leinster debut back in September 1998 and was a part of the team which claimed Heineken Cup glory in 2009, 2011 and 2012.