WORCESTER Rugby Club number eight David Merlin has announced his retirement from professional rugby at the end of this season.

Merlin, who celebrates his 29th birthday on Sunday, has been on loan to Stourbridge for most of this season but has missed match action after suffering a knee injury. He first joined Worcester while he was studying at King's School.

He played a season for Poneke in New Zealand and then spent a number of years as a professional at Northampton.

Merlin represented England Under 21s and England Students before moving to Blackheath RFC in London. He re-joined Worcester two seasons ago and lives in Sutton Coldfield.

A qualified physiotherapist, Merlin is retiring to spend more time on his new business Pro-Physio.

He is also thinking about furthering his qualifications by going back to higher education.