Tiger Brett Deacon forced to retire

Leicester Tigers flanker Brett Deacon has been forced to hang up the boots on medical advice it was announced today.
The 31-year-old will remain at Welford Road however as he has taken a role as an assistant coach in the Academy.
Brother of lock Louis, Deacon made his debut back in 2003 and went on to play 135 games for the Tigers including the 2007 Premiership, Heineken Cup and Anglo-Welsh Cup finals.
He also made 30 appearances in two seasons with Gloucester before returning to Leicester in 2012.
His last game for Tigers was in the Aviva Premiership victory over London Wasps at Welford Road in April.
Deacon has been advised to retire from the professional game after illness last season.
He said: “I’ve had a very enjoyable career and it is disappointing when the decision to stop playing is taken out of your hands but I have to go with the medical advice.
“Every young player growing up in the area wants to play for Leicester Tigers and I was fortunate enough to be able to do that, and to play for the club alongside my brother.
“I was a supporter on the terraces and ended up playing through the Academy and into the first-team which was all I ever wanted to do.”
Director of rugby Richard Cockerill added: “Brett was a homegrown player who became an important part of the first-team squad here. He always gave everything for the team and is a Leicester Tiger to the core.
“It is important to have that ‘Leicester’ presence throughout the club and continuity. We wish him well in his new role working with the Academy.”