Coetzee forced to quit

Biarritz prop Eduard Coetzee is retiring from the sport after taking too many blows to the head.

South African prop hangs up his boots

Biarritz prop Eduard Coetzee is retiring from the sport after taking too many blows to the head. The 32-year-old South African had been contracted to Biarritz until 2013, having initially joined them from Bayonne four years ago. However following consultation with a number of specialists, he has opted to hang up his boots. "For me it is over as far as rugby is concerned," said Coetzee, who previously played for the Bulls and the Sharks before moving to France. "I consulted three different neurologists including two who work with the National Rugby League (LNR) and those last two formally forbade me to play rugby at the highest level. "I have already been knocked out three times since the beginning of the campaign. Once against London Irish in a friendly, and then against Toulouse and Perpignan in the Top 14 championship."