Melbourne Rebels flanker and former England international Michael Lipman has retired from rugby union due to ongoing concussion problems.
Lipman has been unable to shake the side-effects from a series of head knocks this season and has decided to call time on his career.
The 31-year-old was one of the Rebels’ best players in their inaugural Super Rugby season in 2011 and played 10 Tests for England.
The London-born, Sydney-raised back-rower posted his retirement plans and thanked the Rebels on his Twitter account on Wednesday morning.
“Sometimes it’s time, now is the time! I love you all! The experiences have been not real yet amazing! Thank you for a great adventure,” Lipman tweeted.
Lipman’s retirement means Melbourne will be without their two best flankers for the rest of the 2012 season as former NRL premiership player Jarrod Saffy had his year cut short by a neck injury.
The Rebels play defending champions the Queensland Reds at AAMI Park on Friday night in what will be captain Stirling Mortlock and fellow former Wallabies Julian Huxley and Al Campbell’s last games in Australia.