Former international to end 30-year association with Wales

Long-serving Wales physio Mark Davies announced his retirement with immediate effect, bringing his 30-year tenure with the national team to a close.

Having joined Wales' backroom staff in 1992, and becoming a full-time member of the staff in 1999, Davies has experienced the highs and lows of Welsh rugby over the past three decades, right up to Wayne Pivac's side's recent series loss to South Africa.

Though he has worked as a physio since the '90s, his association with the national team goes back even further, as the man who is known as 'Carc' won three caps for his country between 1981 and 1985; his first against Australia, his second against Ireland in 1982 and his final cap coming against Fiji.

"I glanced in the mirror once too often and saw by sell-by date," Davies said to The Rugby Paper.

"In cricket parlance it feels a bit like walking off the field at Lord's after making a triple century. I consider myself very lucky.

"The decision to retire is mine. I realise I've had a longer run that I could have wished for but the job is much more active than it used to be and there comes a time when you have to be honest and put your hand up.

"I have the kind of precious memories which no amount of money can buy, like the 1999 win over England at Wembley and the Grand Slam campaign of 2005.

"We've had our share of near misses. For me the biggest test was when we went to Paris last year needing one more win for the slam. I don't think any team in Welsh history could have played as well as the boys did that night only to have it stolen from us at the death."