Powell forced to retire

FORMER Wales No 8 Andy Powell is hanging up his boots following a knee injury, his club has announced.

The 35-year-old has found it hard to get over his current knee injury, Merthyr RFC confirmed.

In a statement, the club paid tribute to the big part he played in helping Merthyr RFC achieve promotion from the Championship during his first season at the club.

The colourful character is now 35 and was a big part of the Merthyr revolution under Sir Stanley Thomas and Lee Jarvis, after the 23-cap Wales back rower joined the Ironmen in the summer of 2015 following his departure from Newport Gwent Dragons.

It was the latest destination for the much travelled No.8 who has had s pells with, Beziers, Leicester, Scarlets, Cardiff Blues, Wasps and Sale Sharks.

The news was announced by Merthyr RFC chairman Peter Morgan on Monday night.

He said: “I bring sad news our former Captain Andy Powell has decided to hang up his boots. He has found it hard to get over his current knee injury.

“Andy will not be forgotten. He was a big part of our success in winning the Championship and the first player as captain to take us to the Premiership.

“Andy had plenty of time for everyone he will be sadly missed on the field and off, but will always be welcome to our club.”

The news will be a blow to Merthyr RFC supporters who have begun life in the Principality Premiership in fine fashion, romping to victory over Ebbw Vale at the weekend following a 39-21 destruction of Pontypridd in a Valleys derby in September.

The capture of former Wales No 8 Andy Powell was something of a coup for Merthyr when he signed for the club last year.

Powell’s contract with the Ironmen hit the headlines when the back row, who toured with the 2009 Lions in South Africa, put pen to paper and agreed to be part of the brave new world Sir Stan Thomas is helping to create at The Wern.