Munster have announced the retirement of Ireland international Felix Jones.
In a statement, the province said that the 28-year-old was retiring on medical grounds.
Munster Rugby and the IRFU can today confirm that Felix Jones is to retire from rugby on medical grounds.
Having most recently sustained a neck injury during the round 3 PRO12 encounter against Glasgow Warriors in Thomond Park Felix Jones has been advised to retire from rugby.
The fullback also suffered a neck injury in a Magners League game back in December 2009 which kept him out of the game for a year.
Regarding the retirement Jones said:
It is still unthinkable to believe I will never play another game of rugby. Although I have tried to round myself as an individual through education and other interests, I have always had one driving purpose in my life and that was to play rugby. I'm grateful I could do that in Munster. That feeling of walking out the tunnel in front of a packed Thomond Park is something I will never forget. To accept I will not play with my teammates again is beyond upsetting. I'm lucky to have played with so many great players, but rugby has given me something better and that is the people who are now life-long friends.
Munster head coach Anthony Foley described the mood in the province as 'hugely disappointed'.
We are all hugely disappointed for Felix. He was a leading example in the way he applied himself through his commitment, work-rate and attention to detail.
For a player to come in, embody everything that is Munster and have such a presence within the group he will be sorely missed on and off the field. We are very grateful for Felix's immense contribution over the last six years and wish him all the best for the future.
Jones played 90 times for Munster and accumulated 13 caps for Ireland.
Early on Wednesday, news broke that Munster are set to sign Argentina international back Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino on a short-term deal. It was speculated that this would be as cover for Jones while he recovered from the injury sustained against Glasgow in early October, but no one expected this terrible news.
Hugely disappointed for @FelixJones15 who is forced to retire from rugby. #ThanksFelix https://t.co/pXlKy8QmEK pic.twitter.com/5B056Zrwsk
— Munster Rugby (@Munsterrugby) October 28, 2015
Picture credit: Stephen McCarthy / SPORTSFILE
