ROBBIE RUSSELL, the former Saracens and Scotland hooker, has been forced to retire due to a neck injury.

The 31-year-old, Brisbane-born player joined the Men in Black in 1999 from Edinburgh Reivers before he was shown the door at the end of the 2003-04 season after stalling on a new contract offer.

He then joined Premiership rivals London Irish where he scored seven tries in 60 games.

Russell, who qualified for Scotland through his grandfather, won 27 caps for his adopted country and featured in both the 1999 and 2003 World Cups.

Russell will be best remembered at Saracens for being on the receiving end of a vicious attack by former England skipper Martin Johnson during a game between Sarries and Leicester Tigers at Vicarage Road in February 2002.

The hooker require eight stitches to a sickening head wound after Johnson launched a tirade of blows on Russell, who had tried to claim the ball back from the Lions and England lock after Leicester had conceded a penalty.

Robbie said: "I've had a great career and thoroughly enjoyed my rugby wherever I've played.

"I would like to have played on for another couple of seasons, unfortunately that is not going to be physically possible.

"I would like to thank all the players, coaches and management and supporters I have met over the years."