FORMER Dragons back Hallam Amos will retire at the end of the season to focus on his medical career.

The 27-year-old full-back/wing from Monmouthshire will see out the campaign with Cardiff before hanging up his boots.

Amos came through the ranks at the Dragons and became the region’s youngest player in 2011 when making his debut against Wasps in the Anglo-Welsh Cup at the age of 17 while still at Monmouth School.

The well-balanced runner’s record didn’t last long – 16-year-old Jack Dixon came off the bench in Wycombe.

He went on to make 115 appearances for the Dragons, winning Argus player of the year in 2015, and only Aled Brew can beat his tally of 36 tries.

Amos won his first cap against Tonga in 2013 and earned selection for the 2015 and 2019 World Cups and has gone on to play 25 times in Test rugby.

He achieved all that while studying medicine at Cardiff University and has now decided the time is right to focus on his career off the field.

South Wales Argus:

“After a decade of professional rugby, the 2021/22 season will be my last,” said Amos, who left the Dragons for Cardiff two years ago.

“I’ve experienced a lot in rugby and have been fortunate to go to two Rugby World Cups, a Commonwealth Games, several Six Nations and I’ve had a lot of great times in the regional game.

“I’m very grateful for the incredible experiences I’ve had but the time has almost come to face a new challenge.

“I am happy with what I have achieved and telling Dai and Cardiff, and Wayne (Pivac) and Wales, early so they can plan for the future sat a lot easier with me.

“It’s always been my intention to finish when I complete my degree and this season aligns nicely with the final year of my medical studies, so a perfect time to transition from pitch to hospital.

“Throughout my years combining university with a rugby career I’ve had plenty of support - from the WRU, from the Dragons for the first few years of my career, from Cardiff Rugby more recently, and from Cardiff University itself - and I’ll always be thankful for their willingness to accommodate both aspects of my life “Particular thanks go to Dai and Wayne who have been understanding over the last couple of weeks as I’ve talked to them about the thought process behind my decision.

“Retiring at 27 will definitely be strange but I’m fully committed to Cardiff Rugby for the rest of the season and hopefully I can finish on a high over the next few months.”