Cardiff Blues No.8 forced to retire

Speaking at the Vale of Glamorgan Training Centre Mark said,
"Since I've had the operation in January, I've been resigned to the fact that I will have to finish playing rugby. Although I've been working hard in rehab and trying my best to get back to full fitness, unfortunately it hasn't gone that way."

"I've had to deal with it, my contract runs out in a few weeks and I've been busy looking for a new job after being a professional rugby player."

"I'm still not sure what I want to do., Severnside Recycling have been really good and I've spoken to a few people there so hopefully something will come of that."

"I'm 26 years old now and have been playing rugby since I was 13 at my local club in Caerphilly and also for the school, so it's been a huge part of my life."

"I'll miss the playing and the competitiveness and hearing the crowd cheering when you run out onto the pitch, but more than that I'll miss the camaraderie and the banter with the other players in the squad."

"My wife Ellie gave birth to our first child, Jack Joshua in November, so he's nearly six months old now. That's the one positive about being injured, is that I'd had more time to help out and spend time with my wife and watch our little boy grow."

"I'd like to thank all the medical staff at the Blues for their help over the past few months. Our physiotherapists Tim Atter and Andy Shea have been great as has Rhys Williams the surgeon who's operated on the knee and helped look after me for the past few months."

"I'd also like to thank all the coaches at the Blues, especially Dai, who have helped develop my career and I've learnt a lot from them. I'd like to do some coaching work with the age grade sides next season, if possible. I've had so much from rugby, it would be good to give something back."