Tyler Bleyendaal forced to retire on medical grounds

Tyler Bleyendaal at Munster Rugby Squad Training last November. Photo: INPHO/Bryan Keane

Tyler Bleyendaal has been forced to retire from rugby with immediate effect following a long struggle with neck injuries, Munster Rugby announced on Wednesday.

The New Zealand-born fly-half, who turns 30 on May 31, played 62 times for Munster but there should have been many more appearances for a player who captained the Junior All Blacks to victory in the 2010 Junior World Championship in Argentina.