Quinlan forced to retire

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Just four days after Saints' World Cup-winning hooker Steve Thompson revealed he had been forced to quit the game, their 29-year-old former Ireland centre David Quinlan has followed suit.

Quinlan has announced his retirement with immediate effect after reviewing the results of a recent MRI scan with a neurosurgeon.

Quinlan said: "It was my firm intention to see out the remaining year of my contract, and it is with great regret that I have had to end my career in this way.

"Rugby has been a massive part of my life for many years, and I am going to miss it greatly.

"It's been a wonderful couple of years at Franklin's Gardens. I have loved playing for the Saints with some great guys and under some great coaches.

"I hope to contribute what I can for the remainder of the season to ensure there will be Premiership rugby at the Gardens next season and European success this year."

Saints head coach Paul Grayson said: "We are disappointed to lose a player of his quality.

"It is a cruel way for his career to finish this way. He put his body on the line time and again for the club.

"We are losing a leader as well as a well-liked member of the squad."