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Caerphilly-born prop Ben Flower has announced his retirement from professional rugby league.
Flower, 33, from Abertridwr, who was capped 17 times for Wales, started off in union where he played for Bedwas and Newport Gwent Dragons.
He also played for Wales at various youth levels in union.
However, he left Bedwas and switched codes to join the Crusaders in 2007. He played for the team during their first season in the Super League.
During his time at the Crusaders, he made his Wales debut and had a brief loan spell at South Wales Scorpions in 2010.
The following year, the former St Cenydd Comprehensive pupil left the Crusaders and joined Wigan Warriors, where he spent eight years of his career.
He quickly established himself in the Wigan team, and was part of the side that won the 2013 Challenge Cup Final at Wembley, beating Hull FC.
He also played in the Super League Grand Final in 2013, where Wigan beat Warrington Wolves.
However, in October 2014, Flower became the first player to be sent off in a Super League Grand Final after twice punching St Helens’ Lance Hohaia in the face.
He knocked Hohaia to the floor with one punch then hit the player while he was on the floor.
The incident happened in just the second minute of Britain’s biggest rugby league match, when Flowers reacted to an off-the-ball forearm smash by Hohaia.
Flower was subsequently given a six-month ban – the longest ban ever dished out by the Rugby Football League for an on-field incident.
Flower returned to action in April 2015 and went on to play in yet another Super League Grand Final, but his side were beaten by Leeds Rhinos.
He won his second Super League Grand Final the following year as Wigan beat Warrington Wolves.
In 2017, Flower helped Wigan to a fourth World Club Challenge title.
He played in his last Super League Grand Final in 2018, where Wigan once again came out on top against Warrington.
Injury curtailed his final season with Wigan and he left the club in November 2020, having made 184 appearances and scored 21 tries for the cherry and whites.
He went on to join Leigh Centurions but only made four appearances due to injury struggles.
Announcing his retirement in a lengthy Instagram post, Flower said: “Well it’s that time I think all players dread to talk about and this is mine.
“It’s finally my time to call it a day in rugby league at the end of the season. For all the injuries and knocks it’s been worth it.
“As a kid you never think this day will come when you become a professional, but unfortunately it does.”
He went on to thank his family, as well as his former clubs, coaches and team mates and the fans who supported him and “stuck by me in my darkest days”.
He added: “So this is me signing off as a professional rugby player which makes me so sad yet so happy to start a new career in what ever that might be.”
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