Warrington Wolves and former Wales International Lee Briers has announced his retirement on medical advice.
Numerous scans and consultations have highlighted the damage Briers has sustained to his neck, leaving him with no option but to retire from playing. He will now make the transition into the Warrington Wolves coaching set-up.
Briers, 35, signed as an 18-year old from St Helens back in 1997, making his debut in April of that year.
The illustrious halfback has since gone on to make 425 appearances for the Wolves including a club record achievement by becoming the leading points scorer in Warrington’s history with 2586 points.
Following his retirement from international Rugby League for Wales he turned his hand to coaching the national side; most recently in the Rugby League World Cup 2013.
He said, “I feel privileged to have played for so long. Unfortunately it has come to an end but it was going to one day and the doctor took that out of my hands. I’m sad but I’ve got good things to look forward to now with the coaching; my next chapter. It is something I have always wanted to focus on and now I have the opportunity to do that. I would have liked an extra year playing but I now hope to help find the next superstars of Warrington Wolves.”
Wolves’ head of coaching and rugby Tony Smith added, “ On behalf of the Warrington club, its supporters and Rugby League fans I’d like to thank Lee for his contributions to the game. He has brought enormous enjoyment and pleasure to those who have witnessed his skills. I have personally enjoyed watching Lee develop both as a player and a person and look forward to working with him in the next chapter of his career.”
