Wallabies centre Rob Horne has been forced to retire from rugby with immediate effect due to injury. 

The 28-year-old sustained the injury while playing for the Northampton Saints against the Leicester Tigers on 14 April.

After undergoing tests, leading neurological consultants from the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital confirmed that Horne has suffered career-ending nerve damage to his right arm.

‘This is absolutely tragic news, and has been devastating for every member of the squad and staff here,’ said interim head coach Alan Dickens. ‘All our thoughts are of course with Rob and his family at this time.

‘Rob is not only a world-class rugby player, but he’s an exceptional man. He is a hugely respected and popular member of the dressing room and this will be an enormous loss to Saints – both from a rugby and a personal perspective.

‘Even though he had only been here for one season, I am sure he was destined to become a club legend and, like everyone, I am deeply saddened that his career has been prematurely ended in this way.’

Horne earned 34 Test caps for the Wallabies and had played 21 matches for Northampton since joining the club last year.

Photo: Tom Marshall/Getty Images