Ireland’s Luke Fitzgerald forced to retire aged 28

Ireland and Leinster rugby player Luke Fitzgerald has been forced to retire from professional sport at the age of 28 on medical grounds.

Fitzgerald, who has also previously earned a cap with the British & Irish Lions during their 2009 tour of South Africa, suffered a neck injury during the PRO12 final against Connacht.

Leinster have now confirmed that he will retire with immediate effect as a result.

Thanking his family and everyone who had supported him, Fitzgerald said that having had such a wonderful career in rugby would make it easier to move on to the next stage of his life.

“It's been an amazing journey in which I got to experience the highs and lows that come with professional sport and I have learned a huge amount from each experience,” Fitzgerald said.

“I'm now building on that foundation through completing my business degree.

“I'm very thankful for the opportunities I have had, the people with whom I've worked and the lifelong friends I have made.”

Fitzgerald, a former Blackrock College student, made his Leinster debut in September 2006 and then his Ireland debut in November of that year.

His achievements include a Six Nations title with Ireland in 2015 and a Grand Slam in 2009 where he started every game on the wing.He also won three Heineken Cups, a Challenge Cup and three PRO12 titles with Leinster.

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen said: “We are all gutted here at Leinster to hear that Luke has had to retire from the game.

“He has had an incredible career, achieving almost everything there is to achieve in rugby. He will go down as one of the greatest wingers to have represented Leinster and Ireland.

“We will miss him greatly but we wish him every success in the next phase of his life. He will be a tremendous asset to wherever he focuses his efforts.”