Horsman retires with neck injury

Horsman scored four tries in 62 games for Worcester

Worcester Warriors' Welsh international prop Chris Horsman has announced his retirement from senior rugby because of a persistent neck injury.

Worcester director of rugby Mike Ruddock told BBC Hereford and Worcester that the news about the 32-year-old was not a surprise.

"The injury is of the magnitude and type that will prevent him continuing to play at this level," said Ruddock.

"I wish Chris every success in the new challenges ahead."

And former Wales coach Ruddock added: "He will always be welcome back here at Sixways."

606: DEBATE

Have your say on Horsman's retirement

Horsman, who has twice fought off-the-field battles to beat cancer, played 62 games for Worcester, scoring four tries.

But the 14-times-capped former Wales international front row has suffered a series of injuries over the last two seasons, which have restricted him to only seven starts.

"Chris has been a fantastic player for the Warriors and it really is a shame that his career has to end when he would have been at the peak of his powers," added Ruddock.

"My link with Chris is a particularly strong one as I gave him his first cap for Wales.

"It's therefore a big blow for the club and particularly for Chris that he has had to retire from rugby and I know how difficult that is to deal with, having gone through something similar myself many years ago."

My link with Chris is a particularly strong one as I gave him his first cap for Wales

Mike Ruddock

Tight-head Horsman started his club career at Bath in 1997 before joining Bridgend in 2002 then moving on to regional rugby with the Celtic Warriors.

But when they were disbanded because of financial difficulties in 2004, he was forced to move on and ended up with another set of Warriors at Worcester.

Although not born in Wales, Horsman qualified to represent the nation on residential grounds.

He made his debut in the autumn of 2005 against New Zealand under Ruddock. His one try for Wales came in the 27-18 win over England at Cardiff in March 2007.