Gloucester and England No 8 James Forrester, a former Bicester junior, has had to retire due to injury.

The 27-year-old, who won two England caps, called time on his career after failing to battle back from an horrific knee injury.

Forrester graduated into the academy set-up at Kingsholm from Bicester alongside his friend and former Gloucester full-back Jon Goodridge.

He suffered the initial injury in April 2007, and then had a recurrence during Gloucester's Guinness A League match against Sale last month.

The former St Edward's School, Oxford pupil told Gloucester's website: "I have put everything I have into getting back to fitness and demanded more of myself in this recovery process than I thought possible.

"But it is simply not going to be and I have been forced to make the hardest decision any player will ever have to make.

"Naturally, I am devastated my career has ended in this way, but I have poured every ounce of effort into getting back to fitness for more than 16 months and I now know it's not going to be enough."

"I suffered a set-back after the game against Sale and have undergone another operation.

"That alone means I would be out for another eight months and it is simply not feasible to continue.

"I have had a wonderful career and have a treasure trove of memories.

"I have been fortunate to have been involved with Gloucester during one of their most high profile and successful periods in their history and I would like to thank everyone involved at the club for making it such a special place – it will always be with me."