Wales skipper Young quits

David Young made 51 appearances for Wales

Welsh rugby skipper David Young has decided to retire from the international game following his side's disappointing 30-16 defeat against Argentina.

The 34-year-old Cardiff prop said recent results had convinced him that it was time to go.

He said: "I've always given everything to Wales, but I feel the time is right for someone else to take over the captaincy and the tight-head prop position.

"I had considered retiring after the Irish defeat, but decided to carry on to try to put things right.

I have nothing other than tremendous respect for him

Wales coach Graham Henry

"However, the intense criticism that has followed our two recent defeats, allied to the high expectation that always goes with playing for Wales weighs heavily not just on me, but also my family.

"For too long my family have come second to rugby in my life. Now is the time for them to be put first."

Young won 51 caps for Wales over a 14-year period, captaining them 12 times, and went on three Lions tours.

He played rugby league for six years, captaining the national team in that code and winning 14 caps.

The Aberdare-born front-row man said quitting the international scene was one of the hardest things he had done.

"It is always difficult to walk away from something that means so much to you, but in the wake of recent results I felt this was a decision I had to make.

  David Young

Born: Aberdare, 1967

Career: Wales RU debut: 1987 (v England)

Turns professional with Leeds RL in £165,000 move in 1990

Moves to Salford and earns 14 Welsh RL caps

Returns to union with move to Cardiff in 1996

Appointed Wales captain in 2000

Honours: 51 Wales RU caps (one try v USA in 1987)

14 Wales RL caps

Lions tours: 1989, 1997, 2001

Most capped Wales prop, beating Graham Price's 41 caps

"I wish the new captain, the players and Graham Henry and his coaching team every success in the future. They can count on my 100% support from the sidelines."

Coach Henry paid tribute to Young's stature within the game.

"He is, by nature, a leader and a captain, a role he has played with every team he has been involved with throughout his career.

"David is a keen student of the game and his knowledge, especially about the scrum, is second to none.

"I have nothing other than tremendous respect for him and I have enjoyed my time working with him."

Team manager Alan Phillips also paid tribute, saying: "It's sad to see an international career come to an end, but what is pleasing is that David was ready to make the decision himself.

"He was always a good man to have around because he feared no-one. He will be a difficult act to follow."