Irish Rugby
David Wallace forced to retire
ESPNscrum Staff
May 3, 2012
Ireland flanker David Wallace, Ireland v Australia, Croke Park, November 15, 2009
David Wallace missed last year's Rugby World Cup with a knee injury © Getty Images
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Ireland and Munster flanker David Wallace has been forced to retire due to a chronic knee injury.

The 35-year-old, a key figure in Ireland's historic Grand Slam triumph in 2009, suffered the injury in a Rugby World Cup warm-up clash with England last summer and subsequently missed the tournament. He returned to provincial duty last month but having failed to regain full fitness he has chosen to call time on his glittering career.

"Although it's disappointing that injury is forcing me to retire now, I take great comfort that I've had an unbelievably enjoyable career," said Wallace, who also toured with the British & Irish Lions in 2001 and 2009. "I feel very lucky to have been involved in an era that has seen Munster and Ireland enjoy so much success.

"Professional rugby has exploded in popularity and changed beyond all recognition in this country since I began and I feel honoured to have played witness to its massive improvement."

A Heineken Cup winner with Munster in both 2006 and 2008, Wallace won a total of 72 caps for Ireland in an 11-year international career and added a further three Test appearances on the Lions' tour of South Africa three years ago. In doing so, he followed in the footsteps of his brothers Richard and Paul and together they are the only three members of the same family to play for the Lions.

Wallace's injury-enforced retirement follows that of international and provincial team-mates Jerry Flannery and Mick O'Driscoll.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

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