Rugby, Australian Football: Howley retires

Wasps scrum-half and former Wales captain Rob Howley has confirmed his retirement from rugby.

And Wallabies captain George Gregan led the tributes to a player he described as "a really great half-back".

The 34-year-old has been forced to concede defeat in his battle to overcome a wrist injury that first surfaced earlier this year.

Howley underwent surgery in June, and an appointment with his consultant surgeon David Evans confirmed the inevitable. Howley had also sought a second opinion recently from Doug Campbell, a Leeds based wrist specialist.

"It is a very sad and scary feeling to be told that your rugby career is over," said Howley.

"I had high hopes of returning to Wasps and even pushing for a place in the Lions squad (to New Zealand next summer) but unfortunately it is not to be.

Sportinglife

He was a great scrum half, the greatest in the Northern hemisphere and possibly the greatest in the world (incidently, i'm English and saying this about a Welshman). I have no doubt he will be sorely missed at Wasps.

I've heard that he's been offered a place coaching Cardiff.