(©INPHO/Cathal Noonan)

CONNACHT HOOKER ADRIAN FLAVIN has announced he will retire from rugby at the end of the season.

The 33-year-old forward has been out West since his 2006 move from London Irish. He has played 238 times for Connacht and scored 12 tries.

He said, “I’m honoured to have been associated with that change and hopefully I have contributed as much as I could. Galway has become a very special place for me, especially with my two sons Samuel & Joseph being born here.”

Flavin, who captained the Connacht team that beat Samoa at the Sportsground in 2010, was capped twice with Ireland A and made numerous U21 appearances. Connacht coach Eric Elwood said:

We always look to bring in good people who can add to our culture, have good values and contribute to our team. Over the last couple of seasons we have had our two best finishes in the Pro12 and it is through the hard work and commitment of people like Adrian that we have had that success.”

The impending loss of Flavin comes on the back of news that flanker Johnny O’Connor will also hang up his rugby boots at the end of Connacht’s season.

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