Rugby:Despite the best efforts of Eddie O'Sullivan and Michael Cheika to dissuade him, Denis Hickie yesterday announced his decision to retire from rugby after the forthcoming World Cup.

Although he is still only 31 and looked as good as ever last season, in effect therefore Hickie will not only be unavailable to Ireland from the Six Nations onwards but has also played his last match for Leinster.

Viewed in the light of his outstanding two-try performance in Ireland's last Six Nations game, on St Patrick's Day in Rome, it is a surprising decision.

Although he will be 32 next February, you'd have thought after another good pre-season there was at least one and possibly two more campaigns in him physically.

The record books will show him to have been the most prolific winger of all time for Leinster and Ireland, as well, indisputably, as one of the best. He holds the Irish record along with Brian O'Driscoll of 29 international tries, in 58 tests, and in 130 games for Leinster he has scored 59 tries (and a drop-goal), including 19 in 54 Heineken European Cup games.

Hickie also played for Ireland at schools, under-20, under-21 and A levels as well as touring New Zealand with the Lions in 2005.

Added to that phenomenal haul of 88 tries for province and country, heaven knows how many he saved with his covering pace. Blessed with the kind of searing speed not exactly commonplace in Irish sport, as his career progressed he added greater physique, experience and real team leadership for province and country.

To that can be added resilience in recovering from the fickle hand of selection, form and two major injuries.

Speaking about his decision, Hickie said, "I have had a very enjoyable and fulfilling career as a professional rugby player. I entered the senior ranks at the dawn of the professional era and benefited from all the advances made in that time. I have now decided that the best time to end my career is immediately after the upcoming World Cup."

You hope that were Leinster to do something in the European Cup or Ireland in the Six Nations it is not a decision he will regret, but it's one that will be respected by everyone within the game. As with Eric Miller and Victor Costello before him, it's also an admirable decision, for he could assuredly have enjoyed the financial fruits of another two full campaigns.

"It is a decision that that I have not come to hastily and as a result I am content that it is both the right thing for me to do and that I am doing it at the right time," added Hickie, who has a degree in commerce.

"I have enjoyed all my time as a professional player to date and I look forward to reflecting on all the aspects of my career and thanking all the people who have helped me throughout the last 11 years when the time comes, but for now my focus is entirely on doing everything I can to help Ireland win the Rugby World Cup.

"Finally, I want to conclude by saying that I have chosen to make this announcement now in the interest of letting Michael Cheika and all at Leinster Rugby prepare accordingly for the upcoming season."

With Robert Kearney and Luke Fitzgerald in the wings, so to speak, his province are not without options. That said, Cheika and all at Leinster would assuredly have preferred if Hickie had remained playing at least for this season.

"Denis has been a key figure for Leinster during my time as coach over the last two years," said Cheika. "As one of the squad's senior players, his influence in the development and change within our squad has been huge. He has come back from serious injury to make strong contributions to our team and for that we thank him.

"On behalf of myself and my team, I would like to acknowledge all his efforts over the course of his career and wish him well in the upcoming World Cup and for his future away from the game."

Commenting on Hickie's decision, Ireland coach Eddie O'Sullivan, who is with the squad at their warm-weather camp in the South of France, said, "I think Denis will be remembered as one of the great wingers of Irish rugby. From my first encounter with him as Irish under-21 coach I knew he was destined for a great career with Ireland.

"He has always been the consummate professional, as is reflected in his performances with Ireland. I wish him every success in his retirement but not before he continues to have a major impact with us at the Rugby World Cup."

Leinster chief executive Michael Dawson described Hickie as "an outstanding ambassador for Leinster and Irish rugby since making his debut for the province back in 1996. He has gone on to become one of the province's most decorated players of all time, amassing a total of 130 senior appearances, and his try-scoring ratio, a fraction shy of one every two games, is second to none on the world stage."

These have not been great days for Leinster, what with five more of their personnel culled from the Ireland squad on Sunday morning to join Fitzgerald and Kearney.

Ironically though, the presence of only six Leinster players in the World Cup squad, and only one forward, should leave them in a stronger state for the opening rounds of the Magners Celtic League, even without their galacticos.

All the same, life without Hickie won't be quite the same.