Neath lock Martin hangs up boots

Neath lock Steve Martin has been forced to retire because of injury.

The 34-year-old lock captained the Welsh All Blacks for two seasons and won a record four Premiership titles and the Konica Minolta Cup.

Martin has also played for Llanelli and Newport, with whom he won the league title in the 2003/4 season.

"Due to an on-going ankle injury, I have been advised to retire... the demands to play at this level are too much," Martin told the Neath website.

"In the 15 years that I have been associated with Neath RFC there have been many high and lows.

"I have made many friends in this time and it's the players I will miss most.

"May I take this opportunity to thank the players and coaches, past and present, whom I have played with in my career."

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