By Andrew Collins
April 14 2006

Second row Craig Quinnell has been forced into retirement with immediate effect. The 6 foot 6 lock, in his second spell with Cardiff, has announced today that he has already played his last game.

Having picked up a neck injury against Glasgow, which would've see him out for the rest of the season, he's decided to call time on his rugby career, but it's belived he was already on the verge of retirement.

At 30, CQ's retirement comes as a bit of a shock. Though a 2nd choice lock, his prescene both on and off the feild were always invaluable.

His career started aged just 18, when like his brother, he made an early debut for Llanelli. He then went on to play for Richmond, before his first spell with Cardiff in 99. 54 games later, he left once again for the other side of teh bridge, joiining Saracens for a big money move, though when it didn't work out, he joined up with Worcester for a year before returning to Cardiff with the Blues in 2003.

Retirement was something Craig had been thinking about recently, it's just a massive shame the injury has ruled him out of playing a finale match at teh Arms Park. About the injury he said,

"The consultant has told me I could be one hit away from a wheelchair and that really hits home how lucky I have been. I'm really disappointed. It's a very sad time for me and it's going to be hard to adjust to life without rugby."

Quinnell has 32 Welsh caps to his name, with his finest national performance coming in the narrow win over England at Wembly in 99.He was also a major player in Grahme Henry's 10-match unbeaten run and was part of Wales' World Cup 99 squad when we played the host nation.

On his return to Cardiff, he quickly devloped a reputation following numerous yellow cards aswell as a long term band two years ago for stamping. However, his commitment has never been in question, and though many fail to see, his work rate is phonominal.

"I'd like to thank all the Blues faithful who have cheered me on as well as thanking all the opposition fans who have booed and heckled and driven me forward over the years,"

Head coach Dai Young said,

"Craig has always been very supportive to me and has always gone out and given his best on the field. He's been very influential in helping us with moving things forward off the field and he will be missed."

He is likely to be welcomed onto the pitch at half time on Saturday for fans to applaud his efforts for his time with cardiff, the Blues and Wales.