Irish test flanker David Corkery has announced his retirement from rugby.
The 27-year-old from Cork Constitution is forced out of the game because of a ruptured Achilles tendon injury sustained while playing for Munster against Connacht in the Guinness Interprovincial championship last November.
Capped 27 times for Ireland between 1994 and 99, including the World Cups in 1995 and 1999 (during which he sustained a back injury which forced him out of the squad during the competition), Corkery will be staying in rugby as an IRFU Youth Development Officer, based in Cork.
He said today: "Naturally I am very disappointed at 27 years of age to be forced out of the game by injury. But I am delighted for the opportunity to stay in rugby with the IRFU as a Youth Development Officer."