Britt announces retirement

Britt will move into a coaching role at Knowsley Road

St Helens prop forward Darren Britt has retired from the game after sustaining a serious head injury.

The 33-year-old Australian suffered fractures to his eye-socket, cheekbone and jaw after an accidental clash of heads in the first minute of last week's game against Hull FC.

Britt will have reconstructive surgery later this week.

"I've had injuries before but I always knew I'd play again another day but now there is no other day," said Britt.

"I wanted to go into my last game knowing it was going to be my last and be able to savour the moment.

"But to play 50 seconds and now have to look back on that and think that it was my last game is a huge disappointment."

He has been one of the toughest and most talented front rowers in the game Saints coach Ian Millward

Britt, who joined the club last year from Canterbury Bulldogs, will stay with the club until the end of his contract in November as part of the coaching team.

"Everyone connected with the club and everyone who knows Darren will be saddened that the decision has been forced on him this way," said Millward.

"From a fan's point of view, maybe they just look for the stars but from a coach's or player's point of view, the stars are always people like Darren Britt.

"His retirement from the game is a huge loss not only to St Helens but to rugby league in general.

"He has been one of the toughest and most talented front rowers in the game and one of the real genuine personalities."