SCRUM specialist Ceri Jones said he is focused on building a powerful pack at Worcester Warriors after deciding to hang up his boots.
The 36-year-old was appointed as Worcester’s scrum coach in the summer while he continued his rehabilitation on an Achilles injury, which he picked up against Saracens last season.
And the former Wales international prop, who made 29 appearances for Warriors, said he had planned to return to action.
But after listening to the advice of his surgeon and director of rugby Dean Ryan, Jones decided to retire and told the Observer he was now keen to focus all his efforts into moving forward with his coaching career at Sixways.
“My Achilles is probably just about right now, but I went to see the surgeon after I had done all the rehab and he advised me to retire because he said that due to players getting bigger and more powerful there was a chance I would re-rupture it which, at 36, is not something I want to go through again,” he said.
“I think you’ll always miss playing as I did it for 14 years, but this is the next best thing as I am still involved in rugby and I am able to feed some of my knowledge back which is great and I am thoroughly enjoying it.”
He added: “When I first started out I played for my local club in level seven in Wales so to go from there and go on to play 95 games for Newport, 230 odd games for Harlequins and then finish my career at Worcester Warriors I think I have been very fortunate and I am very proud of what I achieved.
“But I am now looking forward to the next chapter in my life.”
Despite Warriors’ dismal form in the Aviva Premiership, Jones said he was pleased with how the scrum had held up this season and believed it would play a crucial role when they travel to Newcastle Falcons on Sunday.
“I think the boys have risen to the challenge every time they have gone up against one of the bigger packs,” he said.
“For instance we scrummaged really well in both games against Leicester, so the potential is there but the boys have got to really go out there and grasp their opportunity.
“Newcastle will be a huge game for us and I think the scrum will be an area which we can take by the scruff of the neck.
“Having worked under Dean Richards I know his side will be very physical and will bring a big driving line out, but I think we can do a job there and get that first win.”