Morris retires through injury

Leinster back Niall Morris has announced his retirement after failing to recover from an ankle injury he sustained last year.

Morris suffered a fracture and a dislocation of his ankle when playing for Leicester Tigers against Bath in May 2015, and was released by the Aviva Premiership side in April.

The 28-year-old Dubliner, who was capped at Ireland U20 level and played for Emerging Ireland, rejoined his former side Leinster in July on a short-term deal and took part in the first two of the province's three pre-season games.

However, he suffered a recurrence of the problem in Leinster's 26-24 pre-season friendly won over Gloucester at Tallaght Stadium on 20 August, and, after consultation with Leinster's doctors and a consultant in the UK, has decided to retire from the game.

"The ankle I have rehabbed for 15 months wasn't right after the Gloucester game, so I decided to seek further opinion, and in the end I've been left with no choice but to retire from professional rugby," he said.

Leinster head coach Leo Cullen paid tribute to the efforts of Morris, who won an Aviva Premiership medal with Leicester in 2013, for his attempts to rebuild his career following the injury.

"Since Niall re-joined Leinster on a short term deal, he has worked incredibly hard to get himself back playing at the highest level," Cullen said.

"We could see during our games against Ulster and Gloucester the quality that Niall can bring to a team so we are very disappointed to hear that he now won't be able to continue playing.

"All the players and staff would like to congratulate Niall on what he achieved in the game and wish him the very best for what he focuses his energy on next."

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