• Rugby League

Briers forced to retire on medical advice

Lee Briars joined Warrington Wolves in 1997 © PA Photos

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Warrington Wolves half-back Lee Briers has confirmed his immediate retirement from rugby league on medical advice.

Briers signed a new one-year deal with the club in July, but has now been forced to hang up his boots after undergoing an independent medical recommendation, which further revealed damage sustained to his neck.

The 35-year-old joined Warrington in 1997 aged 18 and has made 425 appearances for the Wolves. He is also their all-time leading points scorer with 2586 points.

Briers will join the coaching staff at Warrington and is looking forward to the next stage of his career.

"It's unfortunate, but I feel blessed to have played with some great players, coached by some great coaches and I've been at a great club in Warrington," Briers told Sky Sports.

"There are a lot of people worse off than me in the world; I just have to get on with the next chapter of my life. I've enjoyed every minute of it. There have been some ups and some downs, but I wouldn't swap it for the world.

"It would have been nice to have finished my career with a win in a Grand Final, but it wasn't to be. I won't be dwelling on that last game [Warrington losing to Wigan at Old Trafford], I will be looking back with fond memories and taking a lot of positives out of it.

"I started the under-19's at Warrington when I first had a scare with my neck earlier this year, but I've now signed a two-year contract to go full-time with that squad.I'm really looking forward to it, there are some really exciting kids at Warrington and hopefully we can get some superstars out of them and into the first team."

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