Peter Short plucks a lineout for the Chiefs © Getty Images

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Players/Officials: Rob Baxter | Peter Short

Tournaments/Tours: Aviva Premiership

Teams: Bath Rugby | England | Exeter Chiefs

Exeter Chiefs second-row Peter Short has announced his immediate retirement from rugby.

The 32-year-old, who joined Exeter from their Aviva Premiership rivals Bath last summer, made just seven appearances for the Chiefs. Short's season was halted when he broke his leg playing against London Irish last September. He underwent successful surgery before embarking on a lengthy rehabilitation programme that culminated in him briefly returning to action in late January.

But Short said: "I have been trying to get back, but it has been a struggle. Obviously it's disappointing to go out this way, but it is part and parcel of the game.

"As a player you tend not to really think about the end, but since the injury in September it has given me time to think about the future and get a few bits and pieces in place.

"As hard as I've worked, there was still too much pain and it has been a real struggle to get back to the same levels as I was earlier in the season."

Chiefs coach Rob Baxter paid tribute to the second-row saying: "To be fair to Shorty he came in and did a job for us straight from minute one. Looking back, he had a very good game at Leicester for us and was one of those reasons why we got off to a flying start.

"I often say to the squad that if you spend a single minute either on that Premiership rugby pitch, or if you're one of the guys that help us prepare in training, then you're part of the reason we are where we are right now.

"Shorty has certainly played his part and he's been a good guy to have around the club. As we know he's been somewhat unfortunate with injury this season and he wouldn't have wanted his career to end this way. However, it was a severe injury which has created other issues down the line."