FORMER LEINSTER OUTHALF Felipe Contepomi has announced his intentions to retire from rugby at the end of the season.
The 35-year-old, who is currently playing with Stade Francais, made the announcement on radio station France Bleu this afternoon.
The Argentine said, “At 35, I’ve had a great career and have enjoyed it.
“I always had fun but I have had a few injuries recently and that makes the training sessions harder, especially on Mondays and Tuesday.” He added:
It is a difficult decision but I will go back to Argentina and begin my career as a doctor.
“This is a life decision. Now I will savour every minute, every training session. That is the key.”
Contepomi played 79 times for Argentina and stated that he wished to end his international career following The Rugby Championship, against New Zealand, South Africa and Australia, later this year.
Blue magic
An assured kicker and try-scoring threat, Contepomi scored 1,225 points in 116 games for Leinster over six seasons.
His stand-out season for the province was 2005-06 when he scored 416 points, including 15 tries, in 27 games.
He won the Celtic League with the Blues in 2008 and was part of the squad that won the Heineken Cup in 2009.
Contepomi broke his leg in the semi-final win over Munster at Croke Park, facilitating the promotion of Jonathan Sexton to Leinster’s first-choice outhalf.
He appeared for Argentina in four World Cups, from 1999 to 2011, and has scored 631 points for his country.
Here is a glimpse of the talent he displayed in the blue jersey of Leinster:
YouTube credit: docathail
What is your favourite Contepomi memory?
