Stewart made his debut for Scotland against New Zealand in 1996

Northampton Saints prop Barry Stewart has announced he is to give up playing at the end of the season - the second retirement of his career.

The 33-year-old former Scotland international, who won five caps, had originally quit playing due to a neck injury in 2001, while at Edinburgh.

But after recovering, he joined Sale in 2002 before moving to Northampton five years later.

Stewart will face his previous club in his final appearance on Saturday.

And he told the Saints website: "I'm proud to say that I am a Saintsman as well as a Shark and, while it will be somewhat strange to step out at Edgeley Park in an away shirt, it is an appropriate way to bow out.

It has been great fun over the past seven or eight years and an immensely positive experience but it's time to stop and do something else Barry Stewart

"The home support is always good in England and the supporters at both Sale and Northampton have been wonderful with me and my family, and it is something we always talk about.

"At every home match in Northampton I spend ages chatting to fans and the way we were welcomed at the Saints is indicative of the nature and family spirit of the club.

"It is quite a place. But that was matched at Sale too and I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Manchester.

Stewart added: "I'm not going to miss the playing or the training. The hardest thing will be not having the changing room chat. I suppose I'll have to move from a boys' environment into the grown-up world."

"It has been great fun over the past seven or eight years and an immensely positive experience but it's time to stop and do something else."

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