Mark Taylor bows out

Taylor: 'It is a case of quitting while I've still got my health'

Former Wales and Lions centre Mark Taylor has announced that he will hang up his boots at the end of the current season.

The 35-year-old won 52 caps for Wales, captained the side and scored the first try at the Millennium Stadium - against South Africa in 1999.

Wale's player of the year in 2000, Taylor played for Pontypool, Swansea, Llanelli Scarlets and Sale Sharks before joining the Ospreys ahead of the 2007/08 season.

He also toured Australia with the 2001 Lions, who were coached by former Wales boss Graham Henry.

"I just feel that now is the right time," said Taylor.

"I am 35, I've had an enjoyable and successful career and I feel that opportunities for me to get regular rugby are only going to get less and less, so I think it is best to make the decision myself rather than have someone make it for me.

"I've got no immediate plans for the future and I am going to take a short break, but I can't see me playing any further rugby at a lower level.

"I have suffered with knee problems throughout my career, so it is a case of quitting while I've still got my health.

"I've got many happy memories of my time as a player to take with me.

"As a young boy I always dreamt of playing for Wales but never imagined it would be true, so to not only do that, but to captain my country, score the first try at the Millennium Stadium and to win a Grand Slam [2005] are fantastic memories."

Ospreys coach Lyn Jones added: "On behalf of everybody at the Ospreys, I'd like to wish Mark all the best for his future. He's enjoyed a great career at the highest level, and has had success in both Wales and England, as well as internationally.

"His time at the Ospreys has only been a short one, but his professionalism has always shone through and he has been a pleasure to work with."