Saracens veteran Gustard retires

Gustard joins back-row colleague Richard Hill in retiring

Saracens back-row forward Paul Gustard has announced he will retire from the game at the end of this season.

The 32-year-old has enjoyed 11 years in the top flight with Leicester, London Irish and then Saracens.

He was handed his Leicester debut during the 1997/98 campaign and has made a total of 172 Premiership appearances for his three clubs.

"I have enjoyed every minute of my career, but the time feels right for me to call it a day," he said.

"I've got some very fond memories throughout those 11 years, and I've been lucky enough to win Heineken Cup and Premiership titles in that time.

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"I have also really enjoyed my time at Saracens and obviously, it would have been the dream scenario to bow out in a Heineken Cup final, but that wasn't to be."

Gustard, who represented England A and England Under-21s and featured in two non-cap fixtures for his country, will join his Saracens back-row colleague Richard Hill in retiring.

Fellow Saracens forwards Kevin Yates and Iain Fullarton are also leaving Vicarage Road.