IAN HUMPHREYS HAS announced his decision to retire from rugby at the end of the season.
The Ulster out-half has been plagued by injuries since rejoining the province two years ago and will call time on his career when his contract expires in the summer.
Humphreys, who turns 34 next month, has made just eight appearances for Ulster this season, four of which have been from the bench.
“Unfortunately my body is telling me it’s time to stop,” he said. “I feel blessed to have enjoyed such a long career, the undoubted highlight of which has been achieving 100 caps for my home province.
“I would like to thank everyone who has been part of my journey, particularly my wife Jenny, my daughters Anna and Zoe and the rest of my family.”
Capped by the Ireland Wolfhounds, Humphreys learnt his trade with the Leicester Tigers before moving to Ravenhill in 2008.
He made his debut against Newport Gwent Dragons in September of that year and has gone on to play 113 times for Ulster, with an impressive haul of 745 points.
Humphreys enjoyed a brief stint with London Irish before returning to Belfast to win his 100th cap for the northern province against Llanelli Scarlets last season.
“Throughout his rugby career, ‘Mini Humph’ has been one of the stand-out attacking ten’s in European Rugby,” Ulster’s Operations Director, Bryn Cunningham, commented.
“However, it is possibly his organisational and communication skills with players around him, often unseen by those watching, that made Ian such an influential person to have around the team.
“Everyone at Ulster Rugby wishes Ian, Jenny and the kids the very best for the future.”
Meanwhile, Connacht have announced locks Andrew Browne and Ben Marshall have signed contract extensions with the province.
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