Presumably this upcoming film starring Mickey Rourke (was it, somebody like that) will pocket him a few quid, and he might just feel that his body isn't up to the job any more. The timing before he was due to play for Wales suggests to me that there is an injury involved somewhere. If he just wasn't getting signed by Wigan he would probably have turned out for Wales to end his career wouldn't he?

I just wonder if he's had really good offer from Rugby Union, not as a player but in a coaching/admin role. Rumours are that Shaun Edwards has stepped down from his coaching position with Wales and MAY become England coach, or part of the new set up.

Don't think his heart was in it for the 4N. He spent a month working with the media in NZ recently at the RU World Cup and expressed his disappointment at having to return home to the UK early to prepare for Wales 4N campaign.

Must be hard to motivate yourself to play in an international team made up mainly of part-timers in front of a tiny crowd when you've been there, done that and worn the rugby shirt in front of massive hysterical rah-rah crowds at Twickers, Murrayfield, Millenium Stadium etc

FWIW I think this guy's a real legend, not just for his sporting achievement, but for his personal bravery and integrity. To 'come out' in such a tough, male-dominated environment must have taken real guts.