London - Sale and England flank Hendre Fourie has been forced to retire after losing his battle to recover from a shoulder injury.
According to the London Evening Standard website, the South Africa-born 33-year-old made eight senior appearances for England, with his last coming in the victory over Ireland in Dublin prior to the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
Fourie joined Sale from Leeds in 2011, but barely saw any action for the club due to injury.
Sale director of rugby Steve Diamond said: "Unfortunately, Hendre has had to retire. We got the final confirmation last week after taking medical advice.
"As a club we have backed Hendre 100 percent in his battle to get fit but unfortunately, his shoulder has not recovered. His body has been battered so much that the shoulder won't recover."
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