Thursday 18 August 2016 11:36, UK
Catalans Dragons winger Pat Richards has been forced to retire prematurely.
The 34-year-old announced last month that he intended to retire at the end of the season, but a knee injury has brought an early end to his career, by ruling him out for the rest of the campaign.
Richards, who represented Ireland in the 2008 and 2013 World Cups, scored more than 3,000 points over 15 seasons in the NRL and Super League - playing for Paramatta, Wests Tigers and Wigan Warriors.
The goal kicking winger then made a return to Super League at the start of the season, however he only managed to make 21 appearances for the Dragons.
The latest blow to Richards adds to the growing injury list for the French club.
Todd Carney and Antoni Maria have also been ruled out for the rest of the season, after they both suffered knee injuries in the Dragons' Super 8s defeat against St Helens last Friday at Langtree Park.
Meanwhile, Jodie Broughton and Justin Horo are expected to be sidelined for a couple of weeks.
Catalans Dragons face Hull FC at the KCOM Stadium in round three of the Super 8s, on Thursday, live on Sky Sports 1 from 8pm.