Ulster, Ireland and British Lion Jeremy Davidson has today announced his retirement.
Davidson (29) badly damaged his knee during a recent fishing trip. It was the same knee he injured with the Lions trip in 1997.
The second row, who plays for Dungannon, made his international debut against Fiji in 1995 and won 31 caps for Ulster and played 32 times in a green jersey. He also toured with the British Lions in 1997 and 2001 and.
Davidson assumed the Ulster captaincy this season when Andy Ward was sidelined with an injury. Ulster coach Alan Solomons had praised Davidson this season for the way he had responded to the role of captaincy saying:
"He has led the team so well and had upped his own level of performance quite significantly".
Ulster Branch Chief Executive, Michael Reid, paid his own tribute to Davidson: "The whole squad is saddened to hear the news that Jeremy has announced his retirement. It is something that has come out of the blue, and our thoughts are with him at this time."
"He is a player who gives 100 per cent and having been selected not only for Ulster, but also Ireland and the British Lions, he has reached the highest levels of achievements in the game. He will be sorely missed and we wish him well for the future".