 Cunningham rejected a move to rugby union in 2001 |
St Helens hooker Keiron Cunningham has announced his international retirement but has refused to rule out playing for Wales in the 2008 World Cup. The 29-year-old has told Great Britain coach Brian Noble that he will not take part in this autumn's Tri-Nations in Australia and New Zealand.
"I'm at the stage where I feel I should be concentrating on my club rugby," he told the Sunday Mirror.
"I've not finished with Wales but it depends how I feel later in the year."
Cunningham, who is preparing to appear in his sixth Challenge Cup final next weekend, made his Great Britain debut against Papua New Guinea in 1996 and won the last of his 16 caps against New Zealand in June.
But the Welshman has seen his international career disrupted by injuries and illness and his appearance against New Zealand in October last year was his first Test for three years.
The news will be a big blow to Noble as Cunningham, regarded as one of the game's best hookers, was almost certain to have played a key role in Australia later this year.
He added: "I have explained the situation with to Brian Noble, who hopes I will reconsider my decision, but at this stage I will not be going."
"I've been on three tours Down Under and this six-week trip would be too long,"
"Being away from my family for that time would be too much and they have to come first."
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