Injury ends career of wing Hanley

Hanley's career has been cut short by injury

Prolific Sale winger Steve Hanley, the Premiership's all-time leading tryscorer, has retired after failing to recover from a back injury.

The 29-year-old has been out of action since suffering the injury against Bayonne last December.

Hanley spent 10 years with the Sharks and scored 104 tries, with a record 75 of those coming in the Premiership.

"I have great memories but the medical advice is that I will not be able to play Premiership rugby again," he said.

606: DEBATE Give your reaction to Hanley's retirement

Hanley scored a try on his only England appearance, against Wales in the 1999 Five Nations Championship.

He was a key part of Sale's Premiership-winning side in 2006.

Former Sharks team-mate Jason Robinson said: "It was a pleasure to play in the same team as Steve, he is a great lad and as his statistics show, one of the best finishers in the game."