 Appleford had joined Saints on a three-year contract |
Northampton's former England centre Geoff Appleford has been forced to retire from rugby because of injury. The 29-year-old suffered nerve damage to his right shoulder while on England Sevens duty in June 2005 and has failed to fully recover.
South Africa-born Appleford was capped by England against Argentina in 2002 while a London Irish player.
The Saints have also released former New Zealand flanker Sam Harding, by mutual consent, a year after he joined.
Appleford joined Northampton in May 2005 from the Exiles but the injury meant he never played for the club.
He underwent two operations on the shoulder and had 20 months of rest and rehabilitation but has failed to gain full sensation in his right arm.
"I am very disappointed to have to call time on my career," he said.
"I was hoping to return to action this season, and I will always be sad that I was never able to pull on a Saints jersey in a game situation."
Northampton head coach Paul Grayson added: "It is a genuine disappointment that Geoff has never pulled on the black, green and gold of Northampton.
"The major reason for signing Geoff was because I hated playing against him. His size, physical presence and intelligence would have enhanced the Saints back line."
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