Briers to retire from international rugby league

Lee Briers is set to retire from international rugby league after the Four Nations.

Briers will play his final game for Wales against Australia, the team Wales came so close to causing an upset against in the 2000 World Cup semi final.

The former Lance Todd trophy winner left the Wales set up after they failed to qualify for the 2008 World Cup, losing to Lebanon 50-26 in the repechage semi final. He made his return in time for last year’s European Cup, which Wales won securing qualification for the Four Nations this year.

But Briers has now confirmed he will not be taking part for Wales in the 2013 World Cup, which Wales have qualified for automatically.

He said: “There comes a time in your international career when you realise that it’s difficult to keep putting yourself out there.

“It has always meant something very special to me to represent my country and I felt honoured to have led Wales in this 2011 Gillette Four Nations campaign

“It’s been a really tough decision because of the pleasure I’ve had, but sometimes you’ve just got to realise that it’s time for the next generation.”

Briers will now put his energies into helping Warrington Wolves get to the Super League Grand Final, a feat that the Wolves narrowly missed out on losing to eventual champions Leeds in the semi final play off.