The Newcastle Falcons full-back Matthew Burke is retiring from the game after failing to recover fully from a knee injury. Burke, a World Cup winner with Australia in 1999, has spent the last seven months trying to overcome a torn anterior cruciate knee ligament.

"I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Newcastle, playing my rugby and closing out my career with the Falcons," he said. "Playing with some of the game's best talent certainly gave me motivation to continue my rugby and to keep contributing to the game."

Newcastle's director of rugby, Steve Bates, said: "I was fortunate enough to work with Matt this season before his injury, and it is not hard to see why he is held in such high esteem at the club. Even after suffering what must have been a devastating blow he remained an incredibly positive presence around the team."

Burke won 81 caps for the Wallabies in a 10-year international career and played 81 times for the Falcons after joining the Kingston Park side in 2004, scoring 430 points.