Leinster's record appearance holder Devin Toner is set to retire from rugby at the end of the season.
The Meath native has confirmed the new this morning.
Toner (35) retires with a number of honours from the provincial and international scene.
He won 70 caps for Ireland - collecting three Six Nations championships, including a Grand Slam in 2018.
Since first appearing for Leinster in 2006, Toner won four Heineken Cups and seven league titles.
He has 276 caps with the province.
💙 | #LeinsterRugby appearances record-holder @DevinToner4 has announced that he will retire at the end of the season. 👇
More | https://t.co/i8gronUoTV#ThankYouDev #FromTheGroundUp pic.twitter.com/49trpyMd7i— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) March 21, 2022
“There is never a right time I suppose and you would love to keep playing but I feel very lucky to have had the career that I have had and I am able to leave the sport that I love and the club that I love, in good health and on my own terms," Toner said.
“I have been around the club for long enough to understand that not everyone is that lucky, and I feel that the time is right now to focus on that next chapter and of course, spending more time with Mary, with Max and with Grace.
"They, and Mary in particular, have put their lives on hold to enable me to perform and I couldn’t have done it without them. So now it’s about them and us all enjoying more time together.
“There have been some special moments with Ireland and the Grand Slam is obviously up there but also maybe the game against South Africa in Cape Town in 2016. Being able to acknowledge my dad so soon after passing was very special to me."
Leo Cullen, Leinster's head coach, hailed Toner's impact over his 16 years with the province.
“Big Dev has made an immense impact on Leinster and Irish rugby.
"I can still remember Devin when I first saw him play as an Irish Schoolboy against Wales in Donnybrook. What an outstanding career he has gone on to achieve since.
“I have been lucky to have had the opportunity to both play with and coach Devin and he has always been a pleasure to work with.
"He has been such a well-liked and respected member of the Leinster dressing room and his easy nature has allowed him to forge many strong relationships in the game."
