Ireland winger Denis Hickie will hang up his boots after the World Cup.
Hickie to retire from rugby after World Cup.
Ireland winger Denis Hickie has announced that he will hang up his boots and retire from rugby after the World Cup in France.
The 31-year-old has 58 caps for Ireland and made his debut against Wales in 1997, and marked his first appearance for his country with a try.
The Leinster made has 29 tries in all and is currently level with skipper Brian O'Driscoll at the top of Ireland's scoring records.
Hickie will call time on both his international and domestic rugby career after hopefully adding to his caps and tries tally in France at the World Cup.
"I have had a very enjoyable and fulfilling career as a professional rugby player," said Hickie.
"I entered the senior ranks at the dawn of the professional era and benefited from all the advances made in that time.
"I have now decided that the best time to end my career is immediately after the upcoming World Cup.
"It is a decision that I have not come to hastily and as a result I am content that it is both the right thing for me to do and that I am doing it at the right time."
World Cup focus
"But for now my focus is entirely on doing everything I can to help Ireland win the Rugby World Cup.
"Finally, I want to conclude by saying that I have chosen to make this announcement now in the interest of letting Michael Cheika and all at Leinster Rugby prepare accordingly for the upcoming season."
Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan lavished praise on Hickie for his involvement in the team for the past decade.
"I think Denis will be remembered as one of the great wingers of Irish Rugby," said O'Sullivan.
"From my first encounter with him as Irish Under-21 coach I knew he was destined for a great career with Ireland. He has always been the consummate professional as is reflected in his performances with Ireland.
"I wish him every success in his retirement but not before he continues to have a major impact with us at Rugby World Cup."
Leinster praise
There were also plaudits from Leinster chief executive Michael Dawson, who hailed his impact for the province.
"He has gone on to become one of the province's most decorated players of all time, amassing a total of 130 senior appearances and his try-scoring ratio, a fraction shy of one every two games, is second to none on the world stage," said Dawson.
"Denis Hickie has been an outstanding ambassador for Leinster and Irish rugby since making his debut for the province back in 1996.
"Obviously we are disappointed to lose the services of someone of Denis' calibre, but everyone at Leinster Rugby accepts his decision and would like to wish him the very best of luck in his future career."
