Ospreys' James Hook to retire at end of season

Ospreys star James Hook has confirmed that he will retire from professional rugby at the end of the ongoing season.

Hook started his professional rugby debut with Neath in 2004 and moved to Ospreys two years later. He switched to USA based Perpignan in 2011 and headed to Gloucester ahead of the 2014/15 season before rejoining Ospreys in 2017.

The 34-year-old has made 148 appearances for Ospreys in the two stints combined and has amassed 841 points total.

"My contract is up at the end of the season with the Ospreys, so I've decided to call time at the end of the year. It's a sad time, but something I'm really looking forward to. It comes to everyone at some point and now it's time for me," he told in a statement released by the Welsh Rugby Union.

"I've had lots of highlights throughout my career. Both internationally with Wales, winning Grand Slam titles and Six Nations Championships, and going on the British and Irish Lions tour.

"Then signing my first professional contract was a big moment for me. Growing up I always aspired to be a professional rugby player. You never think it'll actually happen so when it did it really was amazing."

Hook has played 81 Tests for Wales since his international debut in 2006 and went on to score 352 points with his last appearance coming during the 2015 World Cup.