Ulster and Scotland winger Simon Danielli retires from rugby

Simon Danielli made 78 appearances for Ulster

Ulster winger Simon Danielli has retired from top-flight rugby because of a back injury.

The Scotland player said he had been advised he would no longer be able to achieve the fitness required to play professional rugby.

Edinburgh-born Danielli was with Bath and the Borders before joining Ulster at the start of the 2007-08 season.

The 32-year-old made 78 appearances for the province, scoring 26 tries, and won 32 Scottish caps.

Danielli said he was sad to be calling time on his rugby career.

"I feel privileged to have been playing for over a decade and have thoroughly enjoyed my time as a professional rugby player, particularly my last five years at Ulster," he said.

"I would like to thank everyone who has helped me throughout my time here and the fantastic supporters at Ulster who rival anywhere else in Europe, creating an atmosphere that has given me many special lifelong memories.

"The club is well on the path to becoming a leading force in European rugby and I will be in the stands cheering them towards this for years to come."