Wales and Newcastle prop Matty Barron announces retirement

Wales international prop Matty Barron has announced his retirement from rugby league.

Barron, 31, was due to start his tenth year at Newcastle Thunder but has decided to hang up his boots following pre-season.

He told Thunder TV: “I’ve just come to a point where my body isn’t recovering as great as it could be, which happens when you’ve played for so long and I just think now is a good time

“I came back [from the World Cup] with a new love for rugby and my mind was saying that yeah, I could still do it but my body was saying something else.”

Barron first signed for Thunder in 2007 and has made more than 150 appearances as well as earning nine caps for Wales.

Newcastle head coach, Jason Payne, said: “I was delighted when Matty extended his stay so it’s obviously sad news that he’s brought his career to a close.

“He is still going to be a big part at the club so hopefully we can make some more great memories but before we head off on that journey, I’d like to thank Matty for everything he has done for the club out on the field over the best part of a decade.”