Irish Rugby

Munster's O'Driscoll calls time on career

ESPNscrum Staff

Mick O'Driscoll on the charge for Ireland © Getty Images Enlarge Players/Officials: Mick O'Driscoll Tournaments/Tours: RaboDirect PRO12 Teams: Ireland | Munster

Munster and Ireland second-row Mick O'Driscoll will retire at the end of the season, the club has announced.

O'Driscoll, aged 33, has 23 caps to his name for Ireland and has played 204 games for his province. Appearing in 17 of Munster's 27 games this season, O'Driscoll has featured alongside Paul O'Connell and Donncha O'Callaghan in their formidable second-row.

The second-row captained Munster against New Zealand in 2008 and has also lifted two Heineken Cups - in 2006 and 2008 - while with the side. And O'Driscoll has also made his mark in the Top 14 when he played for Perpignan in a two year stint between 2003 and 2005.

The announcement means that four Ireland internationals have retired this season. Fellow Munster forward John Hayes hung up his boots at the turn of the year while Ireland hooker Jerry Flannery and Leinster winger Shane Horgan have also called time on their careers.

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