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Worcester's veteran former England scrum-half Shaun Perry has been forced to retire with immediate effect - at the age of 34.

Perry, started Warriors' first four games this season before suffering the knee injury which has now forced him to pack in.

"It is extremely hard to accept the decision that I must retire," he said.

"But specialist opinion is that I cannot continue in professional rugby."

Wolverhampton-born Perry came through the junior ranks at Dudley Kingswinford, where he spent seven seasons before joining National League One club Coventry.

After moving to Bristol, going on to win 14 caps, including a place at the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

He spent four seasons at Bristol before moving to south west France, where he spent two years with Brive, playing alongside Andy Goode.

He was then reunited with Goode when he joined Worcester, since when he has played just 30 times in an injury-scarred couple of seasons.

Warriors Rugby operations director Corin Palmer said: "Shaun's experience has been an asset to the club both on and off the pitch and he has helped nurture some of the younger squad members.

"He has struggled to return to full fitness following a serious knee injury.

"Everyone at Worcester has been saddened to hear that he can no longer continue his rugby career."