Wales captain Scott Quinnell said today he will retire from international rugby after next year's World Cup but admitted he needs a "miracle" to recover from injury in time to take part.
The 29-year-old Llanelli star missed Saturday's Six Nations defeat by Scotland through a variety of injuries and will sit out the summer tour to South Africa.
But Quinnell is desperate to regain full fitness in time for the World Cup in Australia for a final fling on the international stage.
He told Wales on Sunday: "If I get to the World Cup, and that will be a miracle at the moment, it will be over for me after that.
"My body is a wreck at the moment with a knee problem, neck injury and shin problem. In my heart of hearts I feel I will be lucky to get to Australia.
"I would love to be a part of another World Cup and hopefully, after a rest in the summer, that will help me get there."
Quinnell's uncertain future will add to Wales' woes as several other of their world class players have called time on their careers in the past year.
Ace centre Scott Gibbs retired from international rugby last autumn, and scrum-half Robert Howley played his last match in the red vest in Saturday's 27-22 defeat by Scotland on Saturday.
AFP