Scarlets and Wales hooker Emyr Phillips announced he will retire at the end of the season at the age of 31.
It comes just a day after his teammate Tom Grabham, 26, also revealed he was finishing playing due to a knee injury.
Phillips has also suffered more than his fair share of injuries, but intends to concentrate as coaching.
A highly valuable back-up to Wales and Lions star Ken Owens for the past decade, Phillips has made 152 appearances for the region and came off the bench in last season’s Guinness Pro12 semi-final and final victories.
Phillips said: “Making the decision to retire and hang up my playing boots has not been an easy one but I feel that the time is right to turn my attention and focus to coaching and bow out on my own terms.
“I’d like to thank everyone at Llandovery and the Scarlets, players, coaches and backroom staff, for all their support over the last ten years; the medical and conditioning staff at the region have been fantastic through those difficult periods with long-term injuries.
“Being a part of the Guinness PRO12 championship winning squad was an honour and being able to lift the trophy with this group of players, after many years of hard work, was an experience I’ll treasure forever.”
As well as making a century and a half of appearances for the Scarlets Phillips has also represented his hometown club Llandovery 130 times.
Phillips has scored 21 tries in 282 appearances for Llandovery and the Scarlets. He won the first of three international caps for Wales against Japan in 2013.
Phillips recently took on a role as forwards coach with Scarlets Under 18s and has also joined Llanelli RFC’s coaching staff.
Scarlets general manager Jon Daniels said: “I would like to take this opportunity, on behalf of everyone here at the Scarlets, to say a big thank you to Emyr for his services to the club and the region over the last ten years.
“Emyr’s career has been hampered by injuries but despite setbacks along the way has remained positive and determined to succeed going on to make over 150 appearances for the Scarlets, a milestone not reached by many in the professional era.
