Ulster centre Luke Marshall will retire at end of season

Ulster centre and former Ireland international Luke Marshall has confirmed he will retire at the end of this season.

The 33-year-old, who has played 174 times for the province, confirmed on Instagram that he would leave Kingspan Stadium and end his 15-year career this summer.

"This season will be my last for Ulster and my last year playing professional rugby," the Ballymena man said.

"I'm immensely proud of my career, having represented both my province and my country, and in some ways sad it's coming to an end but also very excited to start a new chapter in my life."

Marshall made his Ulster debut at the age of 19, coming off the bench against Munster in October 2010, and would go on to earn his first Irish cap in 2013, when he started against Scotland in the Six Nations at Murrayfield.

The Ulster man won 11 caps for Ireland between 2013 and 2017, before his career was disrupted by a number of serious injuries.

A torn anterior cruciate ligament in May 2018 saw him sidelined for 10 months, while further knee issues limited him to just seven games between February 2020 and August 2022.

While Marshall has recovered to play 19 times over the last season and a half, the emergence of both James Hume and Stewart Moore has seen him fall down the pecking order.

"Over the years I have given everything for the jersey and I hope that has translated onto the pitch in front of the fans and supporters," Marshall added.

"Hopefully I have some more to contribute before the end of the season but if not I will leave professional rugby a proud Ulster and Irishman. Thank you."

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