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Lee Byrne in Lions action in South Africa in 2009. Dan Sheridan/INPHO

An injury has forced a former British & Irish Lion to hang up his boots

Calling it a day after winning 46 international caps.

FORMER WALES INTERNATIONAL Lee Byrne has retired from rugby union after failing to recover from a shoulder injury.

The Newport Gwent Dragons captain — who has also represented the Scarlets, Ospreys and Clermont Auvergne — has not played since tearing a shoulder muscle in a game against Newcastle Falcons last October.

Byrne featured 46 times for Wales after making his debut against New Zealand at the Millennium Stadium in November 2005, and last played for his country in the 2011 World Cup versus Fiji, before leaving Wales to join Clermont.

The full-back was part of the Welsh side that achieved a Six Nations Grand Slam in 2008 and was drafted into the British & Irish Lions squad a year later. During the tour of South Africa, Byrne scored two tries and started ahead of Rob Kearney for the first Test.

“This is a disappointing time for me but I’m looking forward to the future,” said 34-year-old Byrne.

“I’m not sure what the next chapter holds or even what I want to do, but I am planning on taking some down time over the next few weeks to look at my opportunities — whether that’s in rugby or a new career.”

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    Mute John Cotter
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    Apr 5th 2013, 11:14 AM

    It is not general practice in Ireland to sell off ex patrol cars. They are buckets of scrap by the time they reach end of life. Wouldn’t surprise me if Shatter bid on the car. Would do for patrolling the areas where he closed down stations. (Forgive me for linking this story to the govt)

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    Mute David Keogh
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    Apr 5th 2013, 11:41 AM

    Its not general practice with all patrol cars, however, provided the car is in good condition when retired, they are auctioned off in Ireland

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    Mute Bernie Mc Enroe
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    Apr 5th 2013, 10:59 AM

    Great. What charity is he donating the proceeds to?

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    Mute David Keogh
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    Apr 5th 2013, 11:03 AM

    There’s no mention of a charity through the whole article and I would assume that its the police department rather than an individual selling the car, considering its a squad car. This is the general practice among most police departments to auction off the used cars.

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