Leinster Rugby have confirmed that Isa Nacewa and Richardt Strauss will both retire from professional rugby at the end of the season.
Nacewa will hang up his boots for the second time in his career after his first retirement from the sport lasted just over two years while Strauss will walk away from rugby after a 12-year professional career with the Free State Cheetahs and Leinster.
Cullen, who won Heineken Cups with both Nacewa and Strauss, praised both men as two of the finest players to have ever worn a Leinster jersey.
“It is hard to articulate the impact that both Isa and Richardt have had on this club since their arrival.
“Warriors on the pitch and wonderful men off it, they are, in my opinion, two of the best players to have ever worn the blue jersey. Their impact on this group of players will be felt for years to come.
“We will also say goodbye this evening to Peadar and Cathal who have come through the Leinster pathway and are two great examples of that route and the success that can be had if you apply yourself in the right way. I wish them all the very best of luck in their future endeavours.”
Isa Nacewa retiring, but playing like a man in his mid 20s. The best foreign signing we've seen in Irish rugby?
— Neil Treacy (@neil_treacy) April 24, 2018
Words cannot describe the joy Richardt Strauss and Isa Nacewa have brought to me and all the other fans of @leinsterrugby. Go raibh céad míle maith agaibh, lads. Thanks for everything.
— Peter Kavanagh (@TheKavOfficial) April 24, 2018
Isa Nacewa is a true great in rugby and helped make @leinsterrugby the team and force it is. Thank you Iss for all you gave to us and good luck in the next stage of your life @IrishRugby @RugbyLAD7 @theblitzdefence @ultimaterugby @BalbrigganRFC https://t.co/VkLZqCaEZ6
— David McFadden 🇪🇺🇺🇦 (@DaveMc1925) April 24, 2018
Joining Nacewa and Strauss on their way out of the club is fly-half Cathal Marsh, flanker Peadar Timmins and number eight Jordi Murphy.
Cullen said that it was important to recognise the contributions of the departing players at the Leinster Rugby Awards Ball at the InterContinental Hotel in Dublin this evening.
“It’s a difficult one because obviously you don’t want to get distracted with so much rugby still left to be played this season but it is important that we formally recognise the impact that these six players have had on the club.
“I think this evening at the Awards Ball in front of their team mates, their family and close friends is the perfect time to do that but once that is done, I know they will want everyone to focus on finishing the season as strongly as possible and I think for them and for the rest of us there is no better way of finishing out the season or your time at the club than that.”
Leinster Rugby – Departees 2017/18:
1. Jamie Heaslip, 12 British & Irish Lions Caps, 95 Ireland Caps, 229 Leinster Caps, 30 Tries
2. Cathal Marsh, 26 Leinster Caps, 2 Tries
3. Jordi Murphy, 20 Ireland Caps, 104 Leinster Caps, 17 Tries
4. Isa Nacewa, 1 Fiji Cap, 182 Leinster Caps, 47 Tries
5. Richardt Strauss, 17 Ireland Caps, 154 Leinster Caps, 12 Tries
6. Peadar Timmins, 12 Leinster Caps
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